Colorado School of Mines students tour Deltech Furnaces

Engineering Manager J.J. Stevenson answers student questions about the front load furnace on the manufacturing floor

Metallurgical and Materials Engineering students examine refractory board samples

Dr. Geoff Brennecka and Colorado School of Mines students pose on the Deltech Furnaces production floor

Colorado School of Mines students tour Deltech Furnaces

This summer Goeff Brennecka, Assistant Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, took a group of his students on a tour of manufacturing facilities. What better place for students studying metallurgy and materials to visit than Deltech Furnaces! We were surprised at the size of the group – about fifty – young people who had just completed their second year. They were serious about learning; definitely not just having a lark on a field trip. They asked many good questions about refractories, heating elements, furnace design, electrical systems, and of course ceramics. They focused on a large front load furnace under construction.

Dr. Brennecka’s intent was to introduce these potential engineers to some of the kinds of settings in which they could someday find themselves employed. Getting  the newest generation interested in careers in ceramics engineering – especially in manufacturing environments – is the key mission of the Ceramics and Glass Industry Foundation. Professor Brennecka is one of the newest board members of CGIF, joining our group at the October 2018 meeting to be held in Columbus, Ohio in conjunction with the annual Materials Science and Technology (MS&T) conference and expo. He also just completed a term as a member of the board of directors of the American Ceramic Society, the parent organization of CGIF. There is a shortage of materials engineers to fill the ever growing need for these professionals fueled by industrial ceramics and glass manufacturers worldwide. That is why the CGIF’s outreach efforts are international.

In related news, we are pleased to have provided financial support to the CCAC Annual Student Conference., planned, organized, and conducted by and for students with donations from the ceramics community. This year’s conference will be held on August 6th; click the link for details. The CCAC is the Colorado Center for Advanced Ceramics at the Colorado School of Mines. Deltech Furnaces has both a mission and a tradition of supporting student efforts.

Colorado School of Mines students tour Deltech Furnaces