Automotive Technology students at Trinidad State College will have several expensive new tools to master when the fall semester begins on August 22. The most impressive is a new Hunter Hawkeye alignment machine. To operate the new machine, sensors are clamped to each wheel of a car or truck and then the machine does alignment calculations using cameras. “The old style had cables that ran to each wheel,” said Automotive Instructor Jim Brunelli. Of the new one, he said, “It’s a lot faster and more accurate.” The new alignment machine cost just under $30,000 and was paid for by a Carl D. Perkins grant.
Trinidad State also took possession of a new air conditioning coolant machine and a transmission flush machine, both made by Robinair. Together they cost about $6,900.
The department is working toward certification by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and this new gear helps. “It’s a piece of the puzzle to get to the NATEF Certification,” said Dean of Instruction Keith Gipson. “It also keeps our students from working on equipment that’s more than a generation or so old.” NATEF certifies education programs, then the students who complete that program can then test to become Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified.
Students may enroll now for fall. For more information go to trinidadstate.edu. Las Animas and Huerfano County residents get 20 percent off tuition when they enroll full time.