Haas Europe opens 12th HTEC in 12 months

Haas Automation opened its 12th HTEC (Haas Technical Education Centre) in Europe, late last year. Inaugurated on December 12th, 2011, the new HTEC – equipped with a Haas CNC Mini Mill and a Haas SL1- CNC turning centre, is located at the l”Institut des Métiers de la Mécanique de Précision et de l”Outillage. The school is a prestigious centre of educational excellence situated within the Association Ouvrière des Compagnons du Devoir du Tour de France, at Colomiers on the outskirts of Toulouse.

‘Compagnons du devoir’ translates into English as ‘companions of duty’, a fitting name for the association, which since its formation in 1988 has established 84 training centres in France. More than 6,500 French companies employ one or more people who have been trained at Les Compagnons du Devoir.

Offering structured training for a variety of vocations, the association’s precision engineering programme centres on its established Institute for Careers in Precision Engineering and Tooling. Looking to bolster its CNC machining capability, the institute proved to be the perfect match for a new HTEC, which is equipped with Haas machines supplied by the region’s Haas Factory Outlet (HFO), REALMECA SA.

“Les Compagnons du Devoir has chosen to work with Haas because it is the only manufacturer of machine tool that provides a specific package for schools, colleges and universities,” says Aymeric Juillot (Responsable de l”Institut des Métiers de la Mécanique de Précision et de l”Outillage), who runs the institute. “Haas offers a unique opportunity: the HTEC program.”

Mr. Juillot is familiar with Haas CNC machine tools having used them to produce precision engineered parts during his previous employment for a manufacturing company: typically small aircraft components machined from aluminium. But aside from the technical capability and attractive cost of the Haas machines, he cites several reasons why the Haas HTEC offer benefits education establishments: Firstly, to give young people a different view on industry and CNC machining.

“We need to nurture a view that is more hi-tech, away from the image of dirty and unattractive factory workshops,” he says.

It’s a widespread view in a region increasingly dominated by hi-tech manufacturing. In fact, Toulouse today is arguably Europe’s premier aerospace hub: the city is home to the headquarters of Airbus, and Thales and Astrium (EADS’ satellite system subsidiary) also have facilities  here. Additionally, it’s also the location for the CNES (Centre National d”Études Spatiales — the French Space Agency) Toulouse Space Centre (CST).

“Industries such as aerospace have high standards,” says Mr. Juillot. “The HTEC program can help familiarise young people with working in a clean and safe environment, and show them how to keep it this way. It’s a good grounding for what they will face later at some of the hi-tech companies we have in and around Toulouse.”

As for the students and young apprentices, Mr. Juillot says they are only too pleased to participate in the HTEC program and wear the Haas colours during their training.

”We are also proud of this partnership between the ‘compagnon du devoir’  and Haas because we have found a common interest: promoting enterprise and endeavour through the young to help assure the longevity of a strong engineering industry in France.”

Bert Maes
b.maes@haascnc.com
www.haascnc.com