Methods Machine Tools, Inc., a leading supplier of innovative precision machine tools and automation, hosted approximately 150 Massachusetts vocational technology students at a manufacturing event called "Metal Storm 2014" at their Sudbury headquarters last month.

Vocational students attended from Shawsheen Valley Technical High School, Westfield Vocational Technical High School and Essex Technical High School as well as undergraduate engineering students from Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Students were given tours of Methods' technology center, viewed machine tool and automation demonstrations and participated in discussions on today's manufacturing innovations. The tour of the technology center provided the students with the opportunity to view live demonstrations on over 50 leading-edge machines under power, including horizontal and vertical machining centers, turning centers and lathes, bridge mills, boring mills, automation cells, electrical discharge machining and more. Students were also treated to an enlightening perspective on the world of machining automation and robots in an engaging session presented by John Lucier, automation manager for Methods Machine Tools. Students were able to participate in an interactive "Learn the Robot" demonstration, a simple way to show how robotics apply to manufacturing.

"Being familiar with Methods, I knew this would be a first class event," said Larry Retelle, instructor at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School. "We were not disappointed. The students were eager to see the demonstrations of cutting edge technology and excited to learn that there is a lot of opportunity in this field."

"It is vital for today's youth to become engaged in rewarding manufacturing technology opportunities and equally important to help build a skilled work force for our country's future," said James Hanson, director of corporate development at Methods Machine Tools, Inc. "We were very pleased to do our part by providing students the opportunity to further explore exciting careers in the rapidly evolving fields of engineering and manufacturing."