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Advanced Manufacturing

Meet the Instructor

Dan West, Advanced Manufacturing Instructor

danny.west@jonesboroschools.net 

(870) 933.5891 ext. 28238

Office Hours:  2:25pm - 3:05pm

Mr. Dan West – Advanced Manufacturing Instructor, NEACTC

Mr. Dan West leads the Advanced Manufacturing program at NEACTC with over 40 years of industry experience and six years in education. A lifelong maker, innovator, and creative thinker, Mr. West brings a rare blend of hands-on expertise and visionary teaching to the classroom.

Before entering education, Mr. West spent more than three decades as a self-employed professional in manufacturing and design, where he honed his skills and built a reputation for craftsmanship and innovation. Transitioning into teaching has been, in his words, the most fulfilling chapter of his career—an opportunity to inspire the next generation of makers and problem-solvers.

In Mr. West’s classroom, creativity meets precision. Think of it as stepping into a real-life innovation lab—where ideas are encouraged, risks are rewarded, and every student is empowered to push the boundaries of what’s possible. He challenges his students to think big, work hard, and turn raw materials into purposeful, innovative creations.

He sets high expectations, encouraging students to be inventive, dedicated, and enthusiastic in their approach. Mr. West believes in the power of imagination and knows that with the right mindset, every student can build something remarkable.

Fun fact: Mr. West once portrayed a physics professor in a feature film—blending his love of learning and storytelling in a truly unique way!

Whether you're interested in engineering, manufacturing, or creative design, Mr. West’s class is the place where your ideas take shape and your skills take off.

About Advanced Manufacturing

Welcome to an extraordinary program tailored exclusively for inquisitive and forward-thinking high school students. Prepare to embark on an exhilarating high-tech adventure, immersing yourself in the captivating world of state-of-the-art manufacturing technology and cutting-edge equipment that drives the innovations of today and tomorrow. Get ready to unlock the limitless potential of your curious mind as you explore the forefront of modern manufacturing.

Imagine designing, modeling, and bringing your own ideas to life using state-of-the-art tools. In addition to working on your personal projects, you'll also collaborate on industry-level assignments. Our daily arsenal includes mind-blowing gadgets like 3-D printers, 3-D scanners, CNC lathes, and CNC machining centers with up to 5-axis capability. And that's not all—we even have CNC laser and plasma cutting machines to take your creations to the next level. In the Advanced Manufacturing program, you'll become well-versed in a range of cutting-edge software. Picture yourself exploring the realms of Fusion360, CorelDraw, Adobe Suite, Autodesk Inventor, and many more. We provide you with all the tools you need to turn your imagination into reality.

Here's the exciting part—graduating from this program with advanced skills in Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) machinery will open doors to lucrative positions in both local and global markets. Prepare yourself for a future filled with endless opportunities! Step into our digital manufacturing lab, where thirty computer workstations and simulators await you. Equipped with comprehensive and modern engineering, modeling, and design software, this space is your canvas for creating extraordinary items beyond your wildest dreams. You'll be thrilled to know that our lab features the same cutting-edge equipment found in top-tier universities and renowned laboratories worldwide. In fact, our students have the incredible opportunity to contribute to the development of components used by NASA on the International Space Station!

In our lab, the only limit is your own imagination. From concept to prototype, we provide the perfect environment to transform your ideas into reality. Unleash your creativity and set your sights on a future where innovation knows no bounds. Get ready to redefine what's possible in the world of manufacturing!

What You'll Learn

Advanced Manufacturing 2024-2025 Curriculum Map

Concurrent Credit

Articulated College Credit

  • Offered at no cost through ASUN (Arkansas State University - Newport).
  • Concurrent Credit: Earn credit alongside your classroom work—no extra assignments required!

Year One Students

  • Total College Credit Available: Up to 6 hours
  • Eligible Courses:
    • Materials, Measurement & Safety: 3 hours
    • Job Planning, Benchwork, and Layout: 3 hours

Year Two Students

  • Total College Credit Available: Up to 6 hours
  • Eligible Courses:
    • Manual Milling: 3 hours
    • Manual Lathe: 3 hours
  • Certificate of Proficiency: Students who complete all eligible credit hours will receive a Certificate of Proficiency Degree in Manual Machining.

Certifications

Our Advanced Manufacturing program has a lot of career focused certifications to offer students.  Those certifications are the following:  FeatureCam, Cad/Cam, Fusion 360 Cad/Cam, Immerse2Learn (HAAS), HAAS CNC Lathe 1st & 2nd year, HAAS CNC Mill 1st & 2nd year, NIMS  Level I & II CNC Mill, NIMS Level I & II CNC Lathe.