WATERLOO TECHNICAL SOCIETY

September 13th, 2023

American Pattern & CNC Works, Inc.
Tour after Dinner!

Description: Our guide will be Burt (Skeet) Mehe. He will guide us through the Modeling, Tooling, Molding, Pouring and Finishing operations at American Pattern and CNC Works.
CNC - Computer Numerical Control


Read on for a bit of their history along with a glimpse at their capabilities.

In 1994– American Pattern and CNC Works, Inc was founded in the new Industrial Park in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The goal was to service production pattern tooling needs for the agricultural and industrial business segments with the mission of giving the customer what they want, when they want it and at a fair price.

In 1998 the No-bake Sand core service was created to provide a “just in time” inventory system for our customers.

In 2000 they expanded their facility from 10,000 square feet to 15,000 square feet.

In 2001 the Prototype tooling and iron casting service was a natural progression from the sand core service. 

With the resources, equipment and knowledge in place for no-bake sand cores and the proximity of an iron foundry next door to American Pattern, it made for a logical and successful service for American Pattern and its customers.

In 2003 the prototype plastic service was added for urethane, fiberglass, thermoform products utilizing 3-D models to provide finished components.

In 2004 American Pattern and John Deere Company partnered to take a CAD (computer aided design) model to raw castings in 12 hours as described in a 2004 publication of AFS, American Foundrymen’s Society. The success of the project was recognized by AFS and the John Deere Company received the AFS Foundry of the Year award. 

In 2006 – Facility capacity increase from 15,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet.

In 2008 – American Pattern North facility purchased increasing square footage to 33,000 sq. ft. total.

Reservations: reservations@waterlootechnicalsociety.org, by noon, September 11th, 2023

Social period: 5:30 P.M, August 9th, 2023, Dinner: 6:00 P.M.

Tour: About 7pm we will adjourn to 5540 Westminster Dr. Cedar Falls, to begin our tour at about 7:15pm.

Program Chair: Steve Crouse

Guests are always welcome. We need your reservation to enable us to have a name tag for you as well as to send you a reminder in email. 

You are welcome to make a reservation for dinner or just come for the tour. A program-only reservation is appreciated for a head count.

Where: Cedar Falls Pizza Ranch, 4302 University Avenue, Suite B, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Meal: Dinner includes pizza buffet, dinner buffet, sides and dessert buffet.

Please pay the Pizza Ranch cashier upon entering the restaurant. Seniors (65+) $15.49, adults $17.22. These prices include the tax. Gluten free and vegan options are offered by Pizza Ranch.