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122   Phone: 516-328-3970 www.technocnc.com CNC Articles By Jeff Lintz In my career teaching production technology to middle school special education  students,  I  have  had many  students  who  clearly  had talent  in  graphics  and  design  that went  unrealized  because  of  their physical  disabilities.  I  have  seen students with an enormous amount of  creativity  get  frustrated  and withdraw  because  they  could  not physically  build  what  their  mind could conceive. This situation has taken a major turn for the better as our school has equipped itself  with  inexpensive,  accurate computerized numerical control (CNC) equipment.  This equipment makes it possible for students to defi ne their ideas on the computer, using special interface CNC Technology Brings Out Hidden Talents in Physically Disabled Children equipment and then watch their designs being built before their eyes. The  fact  that  they  can  use  the machine’s capabilities to build beautiful and  functional  objects  without  help from  another  person  enhances  both their enthusiasm and their self-esteem. In one of the most dramatic examples I’ve witnessed, a student with cerebral palsy built a CO2-powered car for the Dragster  Design  Challenge  and  has gone on to do very well in the graphics program at Miami Lakes Educational Center. Special Education Program The special education classes at Hialeah Middle School in Miami-Dade County, FL, include students who are mentally handicapped, deaf, autistic, blind, and physically impaired. In the past, I often felt frustrated working with physically impaired students because many of them, while cognitively normal or above normal, cannot achieve anything close to their true potential in the technology lab due to their physical limitations. Poor muscle control keeps many students from using conventional power tools for safety reasons. Even if  they  could  use  the  tools,  chances are  they  would  end  up  disappointed because the results would be far below the  quality  of  the  designs  they  can conceive. I  have  seen  a  number  of  these students become frustrated over their inability to consummate their designs - and, as a result, give up on what in my opinion might have otherwise been a very fruitful career. Bringing New Technology into the Classroom About  three  years  ago,  far-sighted local school offi cials decided to purchase CNC  machinery  and  bring  it  into  the classroom.  CNC  machines  automate the work of conventional power tools by using computer-generated commands to move the cutting surface with far more precision than could be achieved by even the most experienced craftsman. Our school selected Techno’s DaVinci, a unique tabletop machine, suitable for a wide range of applications, including model  making,  woodworking,  plastic fabrication and sign making. The DaVinci is slightly different from the more common gantry style machine because it moves the workpiece as well as the cutting spindle. The machine is constructed  out  of  state-of-the-art extruded aluminum profi les. Because Instead of having to rely on others to produce their designs, our special education students can use the Techno CNC machine to compete on an equal basis with fellow students.