The first Aerospace Center in Precision Machining (CADTE) in Baja California
By Adina Moloman
Baja California inaugurated the first specialized Aerospace Center in Precision Machining (CADTE) this April 2013 at Cast Conalep. This CADTE will train students to produce precision parts that fulfill the criteria required by the aerospace industry.
Baja California has encouraged the setting up of manufacturing in Mexico facilities by leading aerospace companies in Mexico under the Mexico Maquiladora Program. Mexico has been working in its policy measures to incentivize the aerospace sector, developing Mexico to be a relevant part in this world-class high technology industry.
So far the decision of transnational aerospace companies to establish in Baja California have been strongly related to the manufacturing advantages. Baja California has over 50 aerospace and defense companies, which represent about 25% of all companies within Mexico, most of them located in Tijuana, Mexicali and Tecate. The main activities are related to manufacture and assemble parts and components for the aerospace and defense sector.
The vision is to encourage cooperative programs among universities, aerospace industry, and Federal, state and local governments. This specialized center is part of a co-joint initiative of Baja California Aerospace Cluster, local government, Pro Mexico, CDT, SE, Zodiac Aerospace. There are four more centers to be opened in the following months: the UTT Center, UABC Center and Cetys-ITT Center.
All this centers were created to establish and maintain a regional network of universities and technical schools with interests and capabilities in aeronautics, space and related fields required by the aerospace industry in this region.
The region is producing over 15,000 engineering students; these centers promote the technical content of the educational skills required, training them within the norms, regulations (AS9100) of the aerospace industry. The main goal is to reach highly skilled and motivated workforce who are dedicated to continuous improvement in both processes and manufacturing technology.
