Model Engineering Exposition Well Received

By Staff
Published on January 1, 1999
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Machine shop.
Machine shop.
2 / 3
Flame licker engine.
Flame licker engine.
3 / 3
Steam shovel.
Steam shovel.

36506 Sherwood, Livonia, Michigan 48154

The 9th annual North American Model Engineering Exposition was
conducted April 25 and 26, 1998 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 24, before the Exposition was
open to the general public. This year the students were exposed to
learning experiences that included classroom discussions, graphics,
cutaways, videotapes, running engines, hands-on experiences, and
machining demonstrations. More than 185 grade school, middle school
and high school students and scouts were exposed to the subjects of
the Stirling cycle hot air engine, the steam engine, the gasoline
engine, and the creation of metal gears with a milling machine. The
day’s activities proved very rewarding for the young people and
those who conducted the sessions. 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 our Education
Day is that teachers and scout leaders continue to want their young
people exposed to this unique learning experience.

During the two-day exposition, six very informative model
engineering seminars were conducted with many people attending the
sessions. The seminars were: Electrical Discharge Machining, Model
Building, Hot Air Engine Operation and Construction, Building a
Scale Model of the Ford Model ‘T,’ Building the Model
‘E’ John Deere, and Computer Controlled Machining. The
seminars attracted many people and provided an excellent learning
experience for all who attended. Several model related
demonstrations were held on the floor during the exposition and
were aimed at the general public to inform them and answer any
questions they had concerning the model engineering craft.

Approximately 258 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 1,000 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 displayed
and enjoyed by the more than 4,000 spectators who attended the
two-day exposition.

The interaction of the general public and the model builder
allows the modeler to explain his model and his craft, and enables
the general public to obtain knowledge and a much better
understanding and appreciation of model building.

Several model boats were on display and were of great interest
to the general public. These included tugs, pleasure, river and
military boats. The attention to detail by the builders made these
scale models one of the highlights of the exposition.

Among the 59 model engineering vendors was displayed a full
range of quality merchandise, including casting kits, machine
tools, lathes and milling machines, magazines and other literature,
and a wide range of modeling supplies.

The North American Model Engineering Society would like to thank
everyone involved with the 1998 Exposition for making it an
outstanding show. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again
next year at our tenth Exposition on April 24 and 25, 1999, at Yack
Arena in Wyandotte, Michigan.

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