Chatsworth-based Fadal Machining Centers, LLC donated a Vertical Machining Center (VMC) 3020 with a Fadal Computer Numerical Control (CNC), valued at $106,000.

"Fadal Machining wants to have as many young people actually work on the Fadal machine as possible," said Dean de Caussin, vice president and general manager of Fadal Machining Centers, LLC. "(We) want to expose the young generation to a modern way of manufacturing."

The VMC 3020 is used to mill, manufacture and fabricate parts used in the auto industry, the aerospace industry or in anything that requires intricate or precise designs from a chunk of metal.

"The machine excels in creating parts that are almost impossible for people to create," said department chair Bonita Campbell. "It can turn parts out accurately and rapidly."

The department intends to incorporate the machine into the curriculum of several courses, including senior design capstone course, manufacturing systems engineering senior design, fundamental of computer-aided manufacturing, and advanced computer-aided design and manufacturing.

Students will learn how to program, set up and transfer models created through computer software to the machine, explained Ileana Costea, Northridge manufacturing systems engineering management professor.

"This knowledge is vital for students interested in manufacturing systems engineering, automation and engineering management," Costea said. "They will know how manufacturing takes place within the industry and they will be better prepared for the requirements of employment within the 21st century. They will have an advantage over other students who have not been exposed to modern equipment."

The VMC 3020 was donated to the university as a lease agreement, allowing Fadal Machining Centers, LLC to continuously upgrade the machine to the most current model.

Fadal already has trained several students and faculty in operations, programming, maintenance and safety of the equipment and will provide two CNC control simulators to facilitate the training. The company has also offered free machine maintenance.

The gift will be used in conjunction with an estimated $140,000 donation in EdgeCAM software pledged from CAM Force Manufacturing Solutions. The software is designed to rewrite digital information of a 3-D design that can be transmitted to the VMC 3020 to cut the part.

Cal State Northridge's College of Engineering and Computer Science is home to several nationally recognized programs where students gain valuable hands-on experience working alongside faculty members and industry professionals on cutting-edge research.