SOUTHFIELD — A place where people get paid to tear things apart and see what makes them tick. A place where people pay less than $10 a month to get access to millions of dollars of technology to make things. The modern-day arsenal of democracy. The latest in communications technology.
You can check out all of these things in fascinating, professionally rewarding tours coming this fall from your Engineering Society of Detroit.
The tours coming in September and October are:
* Munro & Associates, Troy, Wednesday, Sept. 17. How would you like to work someplace where people pay you to take things apart and figure out how they work? That’s Munro & Associates in Troy. Munro is a consulting engineering firm that helps manufacturing customers increase profitability by improving quality, reliability and value while reducing total lifecycle costs. The tour will take place at one of Munro’s competitive product benchmarking and teardown facilities, where products are analyzed for total accounted cost reduction and quality improvements. Various parts from the automotive, aerospace, heating-ventilation-air-conditioning, home appliance, and other industries will be on display. Munro’s “Design Prophet” and CEO Sandy Munro will also make a brief presentation and discuss how any industry can improve its products through proper lean product design. Registration and networking for this tour is at 1:30 p.m. with the tour from 2 to 3.
* General Dynamics Land Systems Maneuver Collaboration Center, Sterling Heights, Wednesday, Sept. 24. NOTE: To guarantee a spot on this tour, you MUST be registered by Friday, Sept. 19. Want to see the next generation of military vehicles? And maybe a bit of the generation after that? Then join us for ESD’s tour of the General Dynamics Land Systems Maneuver Collaboration Center (mc2), which opened in October 2010 as a new model for collaboration. The mc2 is a complete “alpha to omega” life cycle laboratory where promising ideas can be conceived, examined and implemented. View the GDLS mc2 Technology Thrust Areas by joining the mc2 online community via www.gdls.com/mc2 prior to attending the Sept. 24 tour. This will provide an opportunity for you to submit your own innovative ideas. Note: On this tour, visitors must present a passport or state-issued photo ID for verification upon arrival. Also, all foreign national visitors will require a security vehicle escort from the gate to the mc2. Also, all visitors are subject to package and parcel inspection, and cameras or recording devices are prohibited. Registration and networking for this tour is at 2:30 p.m. with the tour from 3 to 4.
* CBS Radio Detroit, Southfield, Wednesday, Oct. 8. Join ESD for an insider’s look at CBS Radio Detroit’s new headquarters in Southfield. Check out high-tech audio and radio gear, today’s hottest music, media personalities, and Michigan’s only all-news radio station. The stations based in the building include WWJ Newsradio 950, 97.1 The Ticket sports talk, 98.7 AMP Radio More Hit Music, WOMC 104.3 Detroit’s Greatest Hits, and WYCD 99.5 Detroit’s Best Country. Registration and networking for this tour begins at 4 p.m. with the tour running from 4:30 to 5:30.
* TechShop Allen Park, Wednesday, Oct. 22. TechShop is a playground for creativity. Part fabrication and prototyping studio, part hackerspace and part learning center, TechShop provides access to over $1 million worth of advanced machines and tools, sophisticated 2D and 3D design software, and other professional equipment. They provide comprehensive instruction and expert staff to ensure a safe, meaningful and rewarding experience. Most importantly, at TechShop you can explore the world of making in a collaborative and creative environment. Registration and networking for this tour begins at 3:30 p.m. with the tour from 4 to 5 p.m.
All of the tours are for ESD members only. The cost is $25 for ESD members — or join ESD for $60, a 40 percent discount, and attend the tour for free.
To register, visit this link or call (248) 353-0735, ext. 112.