Harper Creek High School

Harper Creek High School

Battle Creek, Michigan United States
Using Alphacam since 2004 

About Harper Creek

Written by Ralph Hermanson, Instructor

Harper Creek's wood working program joined WoodLINKS in 2003/04 and began the program with about 40 students. Since then, the program has grown to over a 120 students that we service each year. In 2004 Lam Fab donated an older CNC to our program. It was not until 2005 when we moved into our new High school that the machine was installed and made operational. This donation, though old, allowed us to do some things on the CNC that convinced our administration that we needed to pursue a better and more up to date CNC machine. Our industry supporters helped us raise money and also provided financial support, their help along with monies used from our vocational funds were used to purchase a CNC machine that had a 4 x 8 bed, capable of nesting and 3D capabilities.

Planit Solutions was very instrumental in getting our CNC program off the ground too. They allowed us to purchase an educational site license saving us thousands of dollars in software costs. They also provide me free training, as an instructor, in using the Alphacam software. Alphacam is easy for my students to learn. This past year we purchased 20 laptop computers to use in our classroom and as result the skill level of our students has increased because they now can have adequate time using and learning the Alphacam software.

Some of the successes we have had with use of Alphacam are: taking 2nd place in the AWFS Fresh Wood Contest, taking 1st place at the Michigan MITES Contest, and using Alphacam to create the Harper Creek Mascot which hangs proudly in the our school's main foyer.

Open Letter to Supporters
Harper Creek WoodLINKS Donates $280.00 Towards Holiday Project

Projects Created by High School Students Using Alphacam

The cabinets shown are a nesting problem the students did using Alphacam. Each year in the 3rd level woodworking class, cabinet construction and nesting using the Alphacam software is taught.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lance Palmer built this project called the Book Stacker.  It was entered in the AWFS Freshwood contest.  Lance used Alphacam to create the molds to bend the plywood for the curved sides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Desk built by Tom Thurston, Tom used Alphacam to create the mold needed to bend the curved sides. 

 

 
 

Antique Reproduction Table. Built by Joey VanGeison. He reproduced the legs in Alphacam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

HCHS Mascot Sign, Matt Demki produced this sign on our first CNC machine using Alphacam. It is this project that sold our Administration on moving ahead with the CNC curriculum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RTA/Nesting table. A group project that place 3rd at the IWF's 2008 RTA contest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quality Hardwood Sign – This was also a group project as a thank you to Quality Hardwoods Inc., one of our local supporters.

 

 

 

 

 

Round Table, Lance Palmer cut the solid walnut face frame on the CNC and the inner table using Alphacam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jim Hazel Sign, A local Businessman came to us wanting a sign for his business. Alex Fay took on the job designing the sign using Alphacam.

 

 

 

 

 
 

WoodLINKS/Wood Products Lab Sign and Clock. Both of these projects were made by Tyler Lewis. The WoodLINKS/Wood Products Lab Sign took first place at the Michigan MITES contest. The clock currently hangs in our High School's front office. Both products were designed and cut using Alphacam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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