Course Syllabus

WPT 122 Wood Machining Technology (3 Credits)

Instructor: Kenneth R. Hanson
Wood Technologist
Wood Products Workforce Development Coordinator
Forest and Wood Products Institute
Mount Wachusett Community College
444 Green Street
Gardner, MA 01440
Tel: (978) 630-9179
Fax: (978) 630-9554
Email: khanson@mwcc.mass.edu

Experience and Education:
Twenty-six years in wood products manufacturing, wood technology, engineering, management, sales, training and education
B.S.-Wood Technology
M.Ed.-Occupational Education

OSHA Outreach instructor-general industry

Description and Introduction:
Wood Machining Technology will concentrate on the many uses and kinds of cutter tools in the wood industry. Specifically, all types of conventional machining technology and tooling will be described from the sawmill through CNC technology used in our furniture and case goods plants. This course stresses safety as the number one requirement to proper machine operation. Safe operating conditions will be described.

The wood industry has integrated computers into all facets of primary and secondary industries. The computers not only assist us to be safer, but to increase our yields and how to handle our products in a more efficient manner. There are many instances where computer-aided machinery improves yield, increases throughput, improves quality, provides safer environments, and saves energy. This course will stress the use of computers in the industry and encourage users to consider the purchase of computer-aided machinery to improve their business.

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Today’s high-tech machinery coupled with computer technology still is only as good as the tool that’s making the cut. Dull tools produce poor work. This course will stress the importance of the right type of tooling for the application. Feed speeds, depth of cuts, type of material and waste removal engineering will be considered. Saw, router, and planer tooling angles will be reviewed and applications of types of tooling will be discussed.

This course will cover introductory through advanced tooling concepts. The student will be encouraged to integrate the tooling in their business and use the network of students and experts involved with the course to report their findings. A “Discussion Board” section on our Internet learning tool “Blackboard” allows every student the opportunity to post their machining questions and report on machining technology that are used in their particular portion of the industry.

Quizzes and exams are two methods of measuring the effectiveness of the instruction. Ample hours are available each week for students to contact the instructor and ask questions and review a troublesome area. Divided over 12 months, the monthly article in Wood Digest will introduce the new content to the student. Each article will provide information that will supplement and support previous articles, culminating in a high level of understanding of Wood Machining Technology at the end of the course. The monthly Internet quizzes will account for 50% of the grade. Discussion participation will account for 20%. The final 30% of the grade is accounted for from exams and homework assignments.

Instructional Objectives:

1. Understand the typical safety considerations of woodworking machinery and tooling
2. Become more familiar with various types of woodworking tooling
3. Understand the interaction between the cutting tool and a piece of wood
4. Know the correct uses for woodworking machine tooling

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Course Outline:

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General policies:

1. Distance learning students in WPT122 have six months to complete the requirements of the Forest and Wood Products Institute and Wood Digest Magazine teaching system.
2. Every registered student will receive a password which they may use to enter into the appropriate Internet sites. This password will be emailed to the student upon registration.
3. For the students benefit, you are expected to complete assignments as requested. Any student is welcome to register for WPT122 at any time during the school year at no additional cost.
4. The material and scheduling in the course outline is subject to modification.
5. The majority of the material for the month was published in Wood Digest Magazine. All articles are available on the Blackboard course website.
6. Discussion is required, expected and encouraged on the Blackboard site. This will become apparent as the student continues through the course.

Required Purchases:

Note: These purchases can be arranged by contacting Ken Hanson at Khanson@mwcc.mass.edu and are subject to change.

Suggested Purchases:

Spindle Moulder Handbook ISBN 0854420312

Measure Twice, Cut Once ISBN 1558704280

Grading System: For WPT122, the grading consists of a letter grade equal to a numerical percentage derived from the points available (410) versus the points attained. The academic and grading policies are set by the college and may be viewed in the catalogue, available at your request.

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