Sessions of 2025 Summer Conference: Rick Knisley
Mr. Knisley, Rick
President
Before getting involved with the educational industry, Rick Knisely performed CNC and CAD work in the aircraft industry for approximately two years. In 1993, Rick moved to a small educational company that produced curriculum for software and equipment such as CNC machines and Robotics. He was their national sales manager, head of a product development team, performed training for teachers, and was involved with several competitions at the National SkillsUSA competition. In 2007, Rick moved to Arizona to work with AZTECH Educational Resources and have been performing teacher training, sales, and directly involved with SkillsUSA Arizona by running a few contests at the state and regional level.
Sessions:
5193: Solidworks Basics
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Westin La Paloma
- Engineering, Manufacturing
- Interdisciplinary
Participants will need to bring a laptop with Solidworks installed. If you do not have Solidworks, a demo version will be provided. This will be a hands-on six-hour workshop in which we will be giving you a basic knowledge of Solidworks and provide instructional materials you can use with your students. We will also go over the skills needed to take the CSWA certification. No Solidworks experience is required for this workshop. This session is presented by an exhibitor.
5195: Fund Your Program with CAD/CAM/CNC in Your Classroom
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Westin La Paloma
- Construction Science Technologies
- Engineering, Manufacturing
- Welding
Bring your laptop and maximize your program’s potential by integrating computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and computer numerical control (CNC) into your classroom. Whether you teach Agriculture (Ag), woods, welding, or fabrication, this session will provide strategies to raise funds while equipping students with in-demand skills for high-paying careers. Discover hands-on projects and takeaways for routing, plasma cutting, and laser work with wood and metal to enhance learning and program sustainability. This session is presented by an exhibitor.
5196: Microchip Manufacturing Programs for High School and College
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Westin La Paloma
- Administration
- Engineering, Manufacturing
Microchip manufacturing has become one of the largest industries in Arizona in recent years. This technology is a more sophisticated system integration into manufacturing processes. Robotics and automation are the central technologies transforming industry. New trainees and the current workforce need to be trained in multiple manufacturing processes including a clean room environment. Maintenance technicians, operators, integrators, and packaging specialists all need a deeper understanding of how microchip manufacturing works. This session is presented by an exhibitor.
5199: Certifications from NIMS for Automation, Mechatronics and More
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Westin La Paloma
- Engineering, Manufacturing
This will be a discussion regarding industry-recognized NIMS certifications for your students. All the NIMS certifications are non-equipment and curriculum specific. This session is presented by an exhibitor.
5198: SkillsUSA Engineering and Manufacturing Competitions
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Westin La Paloma
- Engineering, Manufacturing
This will be an open discussion for planning the 2026 SkillsUSA Automated Manufacturing, Robotics and Automation, Mechatronics, and Additive Manufacturing competitions. We will look at the national contest and state level contest from this year and give suggestions for your students that will be potentially competing in this contest. (ADE Sponsored) This session is presented by an exhibitor.
