Our sheet metal, weld, and machine shop team at Facilities Management works diligently to maintain, build, and install all HVAC systems on campus. These systems are integral to ensuring suitable temperatures for vital research and academics, making their work incredibly important to our campus community. The team has over 250 years of combined experience and is made up of 9 members, listed below: 

Supervisor: Al Bacchini 

Sheet metal shop: Manuel Preciado, Greg Turben, Ryan Montoya, Chris Meyer, John Eldeen

Machine shop: Ryan Duncan, Ronnie Hutchins

Weld shop: Andy Peart

We sat down with Albert Bacchini, the team supervisor, to learn more about the important work the sheet metal, weld, and machine shop is doing on campus. The team’s main duties include repairing or fabricating equipment and materials for HVAC systems as requested by the campus community. The team works in a full machine and welding shop to fabricate whatever is needed on campus using raw materials! 

A typical day for the team is spent handling non-priority tasks as they come in, but occasionally, they have to pivot to handle emergency situations. For instance, the team once managed an emergency where a supply fan that provided air to a four-story building had a mechanical failure, cutting off airflow to the building while important academic work was happening inside. They were able to quickly fix the issue by installing a new motor, ensuring minimal disruption to academics and research! 

The team also works to come up with innovative solutions to any HVAC issues that our campus buildings face! In one instance, they noticed that the location of an HVAC unit in a research building prevented it from being able to adequately cool the space when temperatures reached over 100 degrees. They relocated the unit to ensure the air entering the HVAC was not too hot, which has allowed it to sufficiently cool the building since then! 

To stay up to date on safety and other advancements in their industry, the team is constantly training. “When it comes to training”, Albert says, “there is only so much the team can learn in a classroom. The rest of what makes them so great at their jobs comes from their 285 years of combined experience!” 

Thank you to the sheet metal, weld, and machine shop team team for all the hard work you do for our campus community!