Prototyping-Gunsmithing

Overview
This program builds on the skills developed in the completion of the Gunsmithing Certificate. It is designed to provide the student with additional machining skills and training in the technologies of rapid prototyping and the reverse engineering of conceptualized parts and/or tooling.

Upon completion of the program, students will be competent in manufacturing a functional mechanism, model, and a proper material part from a rough sketch, physical rough prototype or a CAD developed prototype.

Occupational/Professional Demand
As more parts and firearms become obsolete, the need to reproduce component parts, and in some cases complete mechanisms has become an issue for the Gunsmith.

In Tech 2006 Minnesota Technology, William Gurstelle writes that disruptive innovations "are far reaching with enormous implications for technology companies." He goes on to describe the five emerging technologies the National Council for Advanced Manufacturing Technologies believes have the potential to be "disruptively innovative within five to ten years." Rapid manufacturing was one of the five.

According to Gurstelle, RedEye RPM in Eden Prairie, MN has become the largest rapid prototyping/manufacturing service bureau in the world. Eighteen percent of the company's revenues come from rapid prototyping/manufacturing and a company spokesman says the number of jobs is continuing to grow. All indicators are rapid prototyping/manufacturing will be a rapidly growing industry that will require highly trained skilled workers.