Manufacturing is the process of designing, fabricating and assembling products, and mathematics plays a significant role in that process. Algebra, calculus, geometry and trigonometry are essential tools in manufacturing. Engineers calculate dimensions in initial design; time, personnel needs and material use must be factored into the cost of producing a product, and complex design drawings must be interpreted. Precision metalworkers must calculate the speeds and feeds of the machine tools based on the materials used and the cutting tools needed. Bend allowances for metal fabrication and the flow and shrinkage rates of plastics used in injection molding require mathematical calculations. All of these steps go into making the things we use every day - pens, plastic cups, telephones, cars, sporting goods and thousands of other products. Computers play a powerful role in manufacturing, but at each step the manufacturing professional must know the formulas to use, when to use them and what the resulting calculation should be.

The Tooling & Manufacturing Association is a not-for-profit trade association serving precision metalworking, plastic molding and supplier companies in the Chicago area. It is the largest local metalworking and plastics association in the U.S. Member firms supply tools, dies, molds, precision machined components, special machinery, contract production and related services to manufacturers worldwide. Association services include technical and business seminars; related theory apprentice training programs; insurance, retirement, and profit sharing plans; and the promotion of Illinois industry and education related to tooling, machining and manufacturing careers.

Rules: please read and follow carefully!

Who may enter
Any Illinois high school student (grades 9 through 12). Each entry must have a sponsoring teacher. There is no entry fee.

Number of entries
One entry per student. There is no limit to the number of entries per school.

Entry specifications
Acceptable media: oil, acrylic, watercolor, tempera, ink, pastel, crayon, pencil or ORIGINAL computer-generated art.

Entries must be no larger than 11 by 17 inches. Matting is encouraged, but is not required and will not affect judges’ decisions.

Entries should illustrate the importance of studying math in high school and reflect the relationship of math to manufacturing careers.

How to enter
Each entry must be accompanied by 2 copies of the completed entry form. One copy should be attached to the back of the artwork - use tape or glue, no paper clips. Photocopies of entry form are acceptable. All entries become the sole property of the Tooling & Manufacturing Association. Judges’ decisions are final; TMA reserves the right to not award one or more of the prizes if entries are not acceptable.

Delivery
Entries may be delivered in person to TMA Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and must be received by January 25, 2002. TMA is not responsible for entries lost during mailing or shipping.

Prizes
Prizes will be awarded at the TMA Student Contests Awards Dinner, scheduled for May 17, 2002 in Rosemont, Illinois (date and location subject to change). Winner need not be present.

The first-place winning poster will be printed and distributed to schools and businesses throughout the state.

Entries must be received by 4:00 p.m. January 25, 2002, at:

For further information - or for your free copy of the 2001 winning poster - contact the TMA Education Department at 847/825-1120, extension 341.

For career information and to view previous winning entry, visit www.tmanet.com.