The NC State Memorial Bell Tower stands as a symbol of pride and tradition for the Wolfpack community. A figure of unity and remembrance, it serves as a gathering point for celebrations, reflections, and inspiration for students and alumni. Recently, an issue with the clock mechanism has disrupted its functionality. A worn gear has started to cause significant discrepancies in timekeeping on one of the clock faces. This challenge prompted David Bliss, a Master of Engineering Management (MEM) student and the Bell Tower Keeper, to take action.

Seeking a solution, Bliss reached out to Harvey West, an Associate Research Professor in the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department (ISE) and Manager for Material Testing and Characterization in the Center for Additive Manufacturing and Logistics (CAMAL). “David found my name and reached out to see if we could help,” West said. “We’ve worked on projects before where parts were no longer manufactured. Our process involves examining the worn part, identifying the original dimensions, and machining a precise replacement.”

CAMAL, known for its cutting-edge capabilities, will play a pivotal role in crafting the new gears using Wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining). This advanced technique ensures precision and durability, which is essential for the long-term functionality of the Bell Tower. Additionally, Bliss has been working to retrieve original blueprints from the IBM corporate archives, further aiding the restoration process by showing the original measurements of the Bell Tower gears.

“There are a lot of people on campus that really love the university and its history, and they all seem to step up when needed to help with things like the clock gears or other such issues,” Bliss expressed. The team is now finalizing gear plans and double-checking measurements before CAMAL begins manufacturing. Once complete, the gears will be installed, restoring the Bell Tower to full functionality and preserving its place as an iconic NC State landmark.