UTICA – After taking some tech classes at Utica High School, Blake French began to get his future into focus.
Now, after a couple of years in the Career and Technology Education Center, French, a senior on Utica’s varsity bowling team, has the certifications to roll into a career in computer numerical control and robotics.
Computer numerical control (CNC) is the automated control of machining tools and 3D printers by means of a computer and without a manual operator directly controlling the machining operation.
“We do CNC machining in the lab,” French explained. “We use mills and lathes that cut metal. I program in the instructions to make all kinds of different things. As long as I can design it and program it in, I can make it.”
He is already putting his creativity to work.
“I work with 3D printing as well,” French said. “I actually have a 3D printer in my house. I make things and do custom jobs for friends. Instead of milling, the 3D printer uses a process called additive manufacturing. These printers use spools of filament that look almost like fishing wire. It gets fed in through a heating element. When it heats up, the filament liquefies. That is what makes everything fuse together to create different products or parts.”
French has found ways to apply his chosen field to bowling.
“I have made little spare ball rings,” he said. “Those are little rings you put your spare ball on. It will keep the ball from rolling away when not in use. I put custom name plates on them, custom images or whatever anyone wants on them.”
French has also designed and built holders and kickstand bases for his father’s motorcycle.
“Anything’s possible with additive manufacturing,” he said. “I have a desktop 3D printer. Some are big enough to print a full bumper for your car. Some can pour concrete and some do metal. Some experimentally build houses.”
Companies around the world are switching to CNC for prototyping, giving French his pick of career paths. Some companies could send him to college.
“There are so many possibilities in manufacturing and engineering,” French said. “I can go anywhere within those fields and do what I want.”
It could take him to the moon.
“I would love to get into aerospace engineering,” French said. “Anything to do with space stations, rovers and rocket ships. They need parts.”
Utica’s bowling team pulled out a close one, defeating Northridge by a score of 1983-1962 in a Licking County League matchup on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at Redskin Lanes. French rolled a 243 in his first game and had a two-game series of 435 to lead Utica.
Northridge’s Blake Crow rolled a 438 series.
