A Tour of the EXCO Engineering Company

Date: 8 March 2012

Time: 11:00 – 13:00 (Except for the transit time)

Venue: EXCO Engineering Company (Newmarket, Ontario)

Here are the softwares in the company:

• CAM software: PowerMill
• CAD software: CATIA, UG (Uni Graphics)
• CAE software: Magma
• 3D Measuring Software: DMIS

Here are the types of machinery and equipment in the company:

• CNC machines, including machining centers, large boring mills, and EDM machines for manufacturing
• A 3500-ton die casting machine which is used for sampling and process development services
• Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM)

On the 8 March 2012, I was in the machine shop and I worked very hard on my project. Suddenly, two of my professors came to me and offered me a tour of the EXCO Engineering company. I accepted it because it was a good opportunity to see a Canadian company. It’s my first time taking part in a factory tour in Canada and I was impressed with the various machines especially the 3,500-ton high-pressure die-cast machine (It’s very huge). I was very sad that I could not take the machines’ photos for security reasons.

The company is located in Newmarket, Ontario and it took more than one hour to arrive there by bus which my college provided. The company has been a major tooling supplier to the automotive industry worldwide for more than 50 years, with a lot of experience in the design of large dies for engine blocks, transmission cases and instrument panels. Also, the company includes a 150,000 square-foot plant, complete with the most sophisticated and robust technology in the tooling industry. To ensure the accuracy and functionality of its dies, EXCO makes extensive use of CNC equipment, including machining centers, large boring mills and CMMs.

At the end of the tour, my peers and I ate very delicious pizza with drinks. It was my lucky day!

Seneca College Related Websites and Contact Information

For Everyone Who Is Interested in Seneca College:

http://www.senecac.on.ca : Seneca College Official Home Page

http://www.senecac.on.ca/fulltime/MATD.html : Mechanical Engineering Technician (Tool Design)

http://www.studyatseneca.ca : Seneca International Student Website

http://els.senecac.on.ca : English & Liberal Studies

http://els.senecac.on.ca/02subjects.htm : English & Liberal Studies Subjects

http://els.senecac.on.ca/02subjects-byCampus.pl : English & Liberal Studies Time Table

https://www2.senecacollege.ca/ce/subjects/ : Part Time Courses

For Seneca College Students Only:

https://my.senecacollege.ca/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp : Notice Board (Black Board)

https://siris.senecac.on.ca/webapps/sirismain/index.html : Individual Information Manager (SIRIS)

https://learn.senecac.on.ca/uwc/auth : Individual E-mail Account

http://libcat.senecac.on.ca/vwebv/login : Seneca Libraries

https://seneca.simnetonline.com/Students/CombinedLogin.aspx : For the ICA Course

https://www.senecac.on.ca/wabs : Learning Center

https://www.senecacareerlink.com/careerlink/students.do : Job Information

For MATD Students:

http://cadeeze.com  or http://www.youtube.com/ and put “cadeeze” : For studying AutoCAD

Seneca College Contact Information: Tel. (416) 491. 5050 Fax. (416) 502. 9104

Korean Translator, Agents – Joy Kwon Ext. 2756

ISIC Card, Agents, Assistant to Director Angela Williams – Shirley Mangallon Ext. 2265

Airport pick-up, Activities, Housing – Stan White Ext. 2947 and Sergio Vazquez Ext. 2367

Academic Advisors – Michael Ferdinand Ext. 2689 and George Scott Ext. 2063

Orientation, Letters, Off-campus work permit, Health insurance – Sarah Tan-Sese Ext.2368

Why I Chose Seneca College

When I studied at Seoul National University of Science and Technology in Korea, I had a strong desire to learn more in depth to be a global engineer, but my education in Korea focused more on the theoretical side of my major than on practical techniques, which did not help me use the knowledge at work. To find the right college for me, I visited colleges in Canada, the US, and Australia in person. After spending a considerable amount of time, and having compared the curricula of many colleges in Canada, I chose Seneca College, which provides the practical knowledge techniques that I need to learn.

My goal is to become a global engineer. The job requires a high English proficiency and a broad knowledge of different computer programs. To achieve my goal, Seneca has all the courses that I need to take, particularly Computer-Aided Design, Computer Assisted Machining and Computer Numerical Control. The program I am going to study also provides other amazing courses, such as Machine Design, Manufacturing Process, PLC Electrical Control Systems and Machining Theory. When I saw the course outline for the program, I was thrilled because these were the course I was looking for.

I worked as an engineer for over ten years for a large-sized Korean company which required good English language proficiency, which gave me some trouble over the years. However, my goal is not merely to speak the language for the everyday, routine affairs of my job, but to speak the language in such a way that I am able to discuss topics related to my field and convince other parties of my ideas. For that purpose, I want to study and learn my major in an English language environment. Now I wish to overcome this weakness for my future in Seneca College.