Episode Details

Overview

Program Purpose

• Andyhelped developMETAL’scurriculum, coursework, and practical exercises throughPenn State.
• The program combines classroom concepts with foundry visits, casting activities, safety instruction, data collection, and cost calculations.
• Industry partners provide practical expertise and safe environments for students working with molten metal and casting processes.

Industry Pathways

• Andy described nearly 29 years in foundry engineering, including work with steel, ceramics, polymers, machining, casting, and roughly 150–200 alloys.
• Foundries must adapt to offshoring, changing customer needs, fluctuating alloy costs, and strict quality-control requirements.
• The program has generated genuine student interest, but what percentage of participants pursue manufacturing careers?
• Andy’s consulting business,Bomberger Industry Graphics, provides casting design, consulting, 3D modeling, and 3D printing.

Outline

METAL Program

• Curriculum development throughPenn State.
• Week-long boot camp combining academic instruction and hands-on manufacturing experience.
• Industry partners support safe, practical learning.

Foundry Experience

• Andy began foundry work after completing an industrial and manufacturing engineering degree.
• His experience includes job-shop production, custom alloys, casting design, and quality control.
• Process discipline replaced the traditional “black art” approach to foundry work.

Student Learning

• Students made castings, measured and w