Course Details

Composite Basics introduces students to the background and history of composite materials. This course covers introductory topics in general composite manufacturing including composite equipment, materials, methods, safety, tools, vocabulary, and processes for proper and quality-assured composite production.

Lean Manufacturing is used in many businesses and industries to minimize waste, reduce accidents, and operate in a more efficient manner. The main objective of Lean Manufacturing is the concept of continuous and incremental improvements to a product or process while eliminating wasteful or redundant activities. When waste can be identified and eliminated, a product can be built with more efficiency and higher quality in less time.

This course will introduce terminology associated with composite fabrication. Students will learn about reinforcement fabrics and resins commonly used in the Composites industry. Students will utilize appropriate processes, properly mix matrix materials, and perform vacuum bag and non-vacuum processes.

This course introduces prepreg materials, terminology, storage, handling practices, clean room etiquette, lay-up methods, and manufacturing techniques for creating high-quality prepreg materials. Students develop skills in identifying foreign object debris (FOD) in finished parts and exploring applications for core materials.

The CNC Composites course introduces terminology and vocabulary associated with machining composites. Students will demonstrate competency by machining previously made parts with specialized tools and CNC machines. Students will complete projects while practicing filament winders, waterjets, and router tables.

In this course, students will learn basic composite repair and paint methods. Students will cover repair assessment, types of damage and repair, and replacing damaged composite materials. Students will learn the steps necessary to produce a finished composite part by doing surface preparation, applying body filler, applying primer, and painting their composite part.

Workplace Success is designed to help students develop essential work habits and attitudes as well as human-relation skills needed to maintain gainful and satisfying employment. Topics include common challenges faced in the workplace, such as presenting yourself professionally, developing a professional work ethic, developing interpersonal skills, navigating office politics successfully, and planning and managing your career.

Job Seeking Skills explores how to prepare and successfully apply to potential career opportunities. During this course, you will be presented with essential job-seeking skills needed to find gainful employment.

This course will build upon prior instruction and experience to meet or exceed industry standards. In collaboration with an instructor, students plan a composite material build, including materials arrangement, blueprint design, and writing a work order to specification and time.

In this course, students will complete their planned project from the previous capstone project. Students will demonstrate their mastery of composite material building and pave the way for successful careers in the composites industry.

This course will cover reading and interpreting engineering drawings and composite blueprints. This course will explore blueprint symbols, views, part orientation related to composite manufacturing and fabrication, and basic Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing as a composite technician.

In Advanced Composite Repair and Part Finish, Students in this course will cover repair procedures specific to advanced composites. Students will demonstrate how to repair composite parts similar to those found in the aerospace industry. Students will then demonstrate proper structural repairs on parts previously built in other courses. Students will demonstrate competency in composites part finish by applying acquired skills to paint and finish their repaired parts.

Students will learn autoclave operations and other alternative composite fabrication techniques in this course. Students will become familiar with the terminology associated with autoclave operation and develop the skills to program the autoclave to cure high-strength composite parts. Additionally, students will explore various alternative methods of fabricating composite parts utilizing tools, materials, and equipment used throughout the composite industry.

Students in this course will fabricate parts from composite materials. Students will do flexural tests of different composite layups. Using collected data, students will design their own layup and test to see the strengths. Students will develop a working set of drawings for a bridge of their own design. Students will then fabricate that design with high strength to weight being the main objective.

Carbon Skinning- or wrapping - is used only for cosmetic reasons. The beauty of the various weaves of carbon can make an otherwise unnoticed part become a focal point. In this course, the student will learn methods used to skin a part of their choice. Methods discussed will include part preparation, template making, drapability of fabrics, back wetting, building up resin as a finish topcoat, finish sanding methods, and final polishing.

Pattern and mold making are essential skills for the Composites Technician who wants to create their own custom parts. Whether as an entrepreneur or employee, the ability to develop custom molds allows for the construction of almost limitless composite configurations. Students in this course will follow the mold-making process from start to finish by practicing pattern manufacturing, gel coat application, fiberglass reinforcing, mold troubleshooting and repair, and finishing and pulling a sample part from the mold.

The Digital Literacy course explores current technology. Students will practice appropriately and effectively using tools for productivity and collaboration tools; finding reliable information; creating content; communicating safely; and identifying credibility and bias in modern digital environments.

The Production Drafting Basics course delves into the practical realm of blueprint reading for manufacturing. Students will learn about industry standards to successfully interpret technical drawings.

The Composites program introduces students to the ever-expanding utilization of carbon fiber, fiberglass and kevlar. In this program, students will perform and demonstrate industry standards concerning teamwork effectiveness, safety, terminology, composite material lay-ups, quality inspection, and repair in accordance with industry best practices. Upon successful completion of this program, students will be prepared to enter the Composites field as an entry-level Composites technician.