E N G I N E E R I N G


Boxford joins college to fly the flag for engineering at the Royal Bath&West Show


‘ Howoften have we


heard the words from our children during the school holidays – ‘I’m bored’ – and how often today do we hear the top industrialists crying out ‘we need more engineers’. The ‘Imagineering Fair’ at the


agricultural show was designed to give children and parents the opportunity to meet and talk with young engineers and discover the exciting career paths available in today’s manufacturing industry. Not only that – it offered many mechanical challenges, hands-on electronics and simulators, enabling visitors to sample the mind-blowing technology developed by the UK’s leading manufacturers and engineering organisations. For the 4th year running the


Imagineering Fair took the gold award for best stand in show. Once againWeymouth College took part and this year were pleased to be supported by Boxford with whom they have developed strong links over the past year.


by Dave Porter of Boxford


That phrase ‘I’m bored’was


replaced with ‘That’s cool’, ‘Awesome’ and ‘Amazing’ as the young people queued to take their turn on the robotic arm or waited for their key fob to be produced on the Boxford router or laser cutter. Competition was fierce on the ‘Simon Says’ machine challenge as many parents were challenged by their children, who often won hands down, to watch the sequence of lights and then press the buttons in the same sequence. Older visitors to theWeymouth College stand showed great interest in the Special Event Amateur Radio Station which enabled them to speak to other people across the world. Several parents were brought


back to the Imagineering Fair for the second day as their children were so interested by the different displays and challenges that they wanted to


––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Young visitors engaged in using the robotic arm.


learn more about them. It also changed the parents’ perception of engineering as a career and many said they would encourage their children to look at it in future. Anumber of the parents


commented on the fact that they had used a Boxford manual lathe previously and were amazed and delighted by the CNC (computer numeric control) lathe. Some were surprised to learn that schools and colleges had similar machines to the Boxford router, laser cutter and lathe. They were delighted at the speed and quality of the items produced. The first comment ‘I’m bored’


Williamand Elizabeth Petch wait forWilliam’s key fob to be engraved on the BoxfordA3HSRmi2 router.


Technology in Education No.185 September 2011 38


could be addressed easily and quickly. However, the cry for ‘More engineers’will take a little time. In order to achieve this, Weymouth College offers a range of courses including the Diploma in Engineering 14 to 16/19, First Diploma In Engineering (Level 2) and BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering (Level 3).All these courses contain an element of CAD/CAM. So when the college was looking for


equipment to install in order to deliver these CAD/CAMelements they chose Boxford because of its reputation for reliability, ease-of-use and level of after sales service provided. The college offers a wide range of courses leading to different levels of qualifications. For more information visit


www.weymouth.ac.uk If you are interested in


CAD/CAMequipment for your department then visit www.boxford.co.uk WhileWeymouth College is


investing in the training of the engineers of tomorrow, Boxford continues its long term investment in modern production methods and is constructing a modern factory for some of these engineers to work in. BothWeymouth College and


Boxford believe in the words of Sir Henry Royce of Rolls Royce: “Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it.”


Circle No.E24 ’ Check out our website: www.technology-in-education.co.uk


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