Aroba Saleem, Ph.D., an assistant professor with Materials Science and Engineering, recently led her students on a tour of Townley Engineering and Manufacturing in Candler as part of a practical extension of her course, Process Metallurgy/Advanced Metals Processing at the University of Florida.
Held in the spring semester, the visit gave students an in-depth view of how Townley leads the industry in providing innovative solutions for abrasion and corrosion problems in dredging, mining, and power plant-process circuits. Students observed various molding and casting practices, from raw material preparation to finished metal components. They also got a first-hand look at machining operations, furnace systems, and how molten metals are cast and formed.
“Industry tours give students a chance to see classroom concepts come to life,” said Saleem. “When they engage directly with tools, processes, and professionals, it reinforces their learning and builds confidence in applying their knowledge.”
Located in southeast Marion County, Townley Manufacturing is a family-owned business that started in 1963. The tour of the facility offered a unique opportunity to see how a legacy manufacturer like Townley blends tradition with advanced materials science.
“It tied in so much to the concepts we learned in class,” said fourth-year materials science major Adriana LaVopa. “Seeing every part of the casting process — from mold design to sand selection, melting, pouring, cooling, heat treatments, and finishing operations — was highly informative. And they provided good context.”
Saleem emphasized the importance of industry tours in helping students explore potential career paths, gain exposure to professional standards, and build valuable networks that can lead to jobs and internships.
“This tour was a fantastic way to see process metallurgy in action, and it provided insight into the workday of some industry professionals,” said LaVopa.
The Townley tour fostered strong student engagement and positive feedback. Students praised the Townley team’s hospitality and generosity, including a special souvenir: a cast-iron gator figurine for each attendee. LaVopa’s gator, named Pearl, now resides in the office of the UF Society of Women Engineers.
“The most memorable part for me has to be either watching molten metal being poured into molds from the observation deck or getting to use the spectrometer and Brinell hardness testers in the lab,” LaVopa said. “It was awe-inspiring to watch glowing orange metal flowing like water and watch the foundry employees handling the giant ladle.”
Committed to hands-on learning and the practical application of theoretical concepts in engineering education, Saleem plans to organize similar industry visits next semester. She hopes sophomores and juniors will take advantage of the opportunity to explore real-world industry standards, procedures, and innovation beyond the textbook.
Photos courtesy of Townley Engineering & Manufacturing Company
