The University of Alabama metallurgical engineering program hosted an open welding demo on Thursday at the Foundry, allowing students to learn about Miller Electric’s welding opportunities and try welding a Script A.
At the event, students practiced two types of welding using new products engineered by Miller Electric, which creates products for the welding industry. Students welded the Script A in the classic blowtorch welding practice, using both MIG and laser technologies, decked out with vests, gloves, goggles and a protective welding mask.
“My brother’s a welder, but I never really knew anything about it, so I just came to see what it’s all about,” said Jordan Scott, a sophomore biology major. “It was pretty cool to see how the collaborative robot works and how it is to weld. It’s hard to do the welding since it’s an acquired thing, but it was really fun.”
While Miller Electric has visited campus before, including several career fairs, this is the first partnership event it has hosted with the Metal Casting and Solidification Research Facility at the University.
“We have electrical engineers, we have welding engineers, we have mechanical engineers and metallurgy. That’s a big part of what we do,” Zunich said. “Alabama really was a school that had all those majors and those students, and we talked with the faculty. They were excited about having us.”
Despite being geared towards engineering majors, the event welcomed students across all academic disciplines. Zurich noted that, much like any business, they have accountants, finance advisors and sales representatives that come from colleges outside of engineering.
“We’ve talked to a lot of great students all over the country. I’ve been very impressed at the diversity of candidates that have come through. Everyone’s been super excited about meeting us and about even trying the welders,” Zurich said.
There was a high turnout across both days, with over 200 students attending on the first day.
Ashley Goldsby, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, tried welding because she likes putting things together. She said it was a “10 out of 10.”
In addition to the hands-on demonstrations, Miller Electric also highlighted its Copilot welding technology, a robotic welding assistant that helps with mass production of metal products.
“My minor is in manufacturing, so hearing him talk about the robot and how it welds and different stuff like that, that’s something I’m really interested in later in the future, maybe even helping engineer these types of machines,” Goldsby said.
Outside of the demonstration, Miller Electric’s business representatives connected with students, helping them to realize the applications welding and the welding industry can have to all fields of STEM research and manufacturing.
“Everyone who came welded, which is pretty fantastic because most kids tend to be intimidated. And there was none of that. They just wanted to dive right in. And that’s, that’s pretty awesome,” Zurich said.
