36506 Sherwood, Livonia, Michigan 48154
The 10th annual North American Model Engineering Exposition was
conducted April 24 and 25, 1999 at Yack Arena in Wyandotte,
Michigan. This unique model engineering exposition was well
received by everyone involved, including students, vendors,
exhibitors and the general public.
This year the free Educational Day was again conducted Friday,
April 23, before the exposition was open to the public. Students
were exposed to classroom discussions, graphics, cutaways,
videotapes, running engines, hands-on experiences, and machining
demonstrations. More than 200 grade school, middle school, high
school students, and scouts were exposed to subjects of the
Stirling cycle hot air engine, the steam engine, the gasoline
engine, and demonstrations of lathe and milling machine operations.
The day’s activities proved very rewarding for the young people
and those who conducted the classes. In addition to explaining the
general operation of the different engines and machining tools,
plans for construction of a simple hot air and steam engine were
made available to the young people to increase their interest in
model engineering. One of the best endorsements of the Education
Day is that teachers and scout leaders continue to want their young
people shown this unique learning experience.
For the second year, the Society sponsored a four day course
called The Study of Steam Power, held April 19-22, at Domino’s
Farm in Ann Arbor, Michigan, conducted by N.A.M.E.S. board member
Tom Stockton. The course is an in-depth study of all aspects of
steam power, and emphasizes fundamentals that apply to other heat
engines. A fee of $125 included two books, lunch, coffee breaks and
one year’s NAMES membership. On Sunday, April 18, the class
enjoyed a ride in the steam launch ‘Arbor Queen’ on the
nearby Huron River. The steam engine and boiler in the Arbor Queen
were made by Tom Stockton.
During the two-day exposition, four very informative model
engineering seminars were conducted, with many people attending the
sessions. The seminars were: Electronic Discharge Machining, Model
Building, Computer Controlled Machining, and Model Shop and Tools.
The seminars provided an excellent learning experience for all who
attended. Several model related demonstrations held on the floor
during the expo were aimed at the general public, to inform them
and answer any questions about the model engineering craft.
Three hundred seven exhibitors displayed more than 900 models,
many of museum quality. The variety of models included hot air,
steam, and gasoline engines running and operating scale model
machinery, vehicles and other equipment. The engines were in the
form of antique farm, industrial, automotive, marine, aircraft,
tractors, railway and military. About 1000 feet of compressed air
line was used to operate the wide array of steam engines. In
addition, scale model construction equipment, machine tools,
including lathes and milling machines, and clocks, were enjoyed by
more than 3700 spectators.
The interaction of the expo allows the public to obtain valuable
knowledge and a much better understanding and appreciation of model
building.
Several model boats on display were of great interest to the
public. These included tugs, pleasure, river and military boats.
Attention to detail by the builders made these scale models one of
the highlights of the exposition.
Fifty-nine model engineering vendors displayed a full range of
quality merchandise including casting kits, machine tools, lathes
and milling machines, magazines and other literature, plus a wide
range of modeling supplies.
The North American Model Engineering Society would like to thank
everyone involved with the 1999 exposition for making it an
outstanding show. We look forward to seeing everyone next year at
our 11th exposition on April 29 and 30, 2000 at Yack Arena in
Wyandotte, Michigan.
