Author Archive
Press Release By Michael Krampe
ATLANTA, Nov. 24, 2009
Siemens today announced the seven schools that will recieve in-kind donations of automation equipment and software as part of its Siemens Automation Cooperates with Education (SCE) program. Designed to help “jump-start” or upgrade technical programs and curriculum with leading edge Siemens automation technologies, more than 60 universities, colleges trade schools and high schools were nominated for the SCE Educational Development Award by Siemens distributors across the country.
The award recipients are Alexandria Technical College, Alexandria, MN; Penn College of Technology, Williamsport, PA; University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV; Kellogg Community College, Battle Creek, MI; Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA; Western Colorado Community College, Grand Junction, CO; and College of the Sequoias, Visalia, CA.
Read more
Minnesota’s Centers for Excellence which include the Center for Engineering & Manufacturing Excellence, have been awarded continuing funding for fiscal years 2010 and 2011. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Linda Baer announced in a memo date June 3, 2009 that the Centers will be funded at approximately $4M, reflecting a 12% funding reduction from past awards. “My expectation is this funding level will assist each Center in maintaining momentum and the current and planned initiatives presented earlier this year by each Center of Excellence,” states Baer.
“This funding will allow the Center to continue to move forward with strategic initiatives that support Minnesota’s industry sector,” says Dr. Ronald Bennett, Executive Director for the Center. “Building an educated, technically skilled pool of workers is critical to Minnesota’s economic success both nationally and globally. Our goal is to increase that pipeline flow across the full spectrum of people pursuing STEM careers.”
In the constantly changing world of manufacturing, responsiveness is measured in weeks, not years. Things need to move quickly. But, rapid and expansive response to industry needs can be unsettling to a traditional institution. Changing educational programs can be an arduous and expensive proposition. All real and potential consequences must be considered. Alexandria Technical College found a way to balance thoughtful change with industry needs through an integrated manufacturing training model that provides technical training for multiple audiences—from high school to industry.
MNCEME, Alexandria Technical College (one of MNCEME’s partners) and area leaders in manufacturing worked side-by-side to develop a new concept in manufacturing training. No longer would education be stuck in the classroom as the sole responsibility of the institution, nor would it be an isolated class developed specifically for one company’s employees. This unique customized training model spans the entire spectrum of need.
The idea began when Alex Extrusion expressed a need for ‘super machinists’—skilled machinists who also understand business and technology. The company had recently purchased a robotic cell and approached ATC about securing the same equipment as a training vehicle. In collaboration with area manufacturers, ATC, and MNCEME, funding was secured for new equipment; however, that was part of the plan. Alexandria Technical College and the Minnesota Center for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence recognized an opportunity beyond the addition of state-of-the-art equipment to the lab.
A vision of an innovative manufacturing training model was developed. It included a manufacturing concepts training center to support entry-level manufacturing curriculum and independent use of the equipment to support advanced training. Cutting-edge technology and experienced educators would be available at various levels: PLTW camps and high school extreme technology challenges; two year technical programs; entry-level and advanced incumbent worker training; and, perhaps someday, an engineering skills center.
The request from industry energized ATC. The ability to view change as an opportunity and program flexibility, which allows educational institutions to quickly respond to industry needs, are best practices that are paramount to the success of MNCEME partners and the Minnesota economy.
For more information about the integrated manufacturing training model program, please contact
Chad Coauette, Dean of Customized Training, Alexandria Technical College, 1-320-762-4403
”Theory is very different from application,” says Tom Reid, Electronic Technology instructor at Anoka Technical College. The capstone project requirement offers students the opportunity to apply classroom theory to working projects. Reed is amazed at what students can accomplish with the right resources, noting that many projects would not be possible without support from industry and MNCEME. Access to equipment and industry professionals during research and trouble shooting is critical for students. “We are fortunate to be a member of MNCEME,” says Reed.
For more information about the capstone projects through the Electronic Technology program at Anoka Technical College, contact
Tom Reid, Electronics Instructor
treid@anokatech.edu
763-576-4905
MARCH 2009 – With one in ten jobs based in manufacturing, and even more in manufacturing related areas, over 800,000 jobs or 29% of Minnesota’s workforce currently supplies, builds, or designs a manufactured product.
“These job numbers are real people who know the manufacturing business,” says Dr. Ronald Bennett, Executive Director of the Minnesota Center for Engineering & Manufacturing Excellence. “Given educational opportunities to develop advanced skills and knowledge of emerging technology, they will continue to be Minnesota’s greatest asset as we recover from this recession.”
Committed to maximizing Minnesota’s talent, the Center for Engineering & Manufacturing Excellence awarded nearly a quarter-million dollars to four partner colleges to develop educational opportunities for manufacturers.
Alexandria Technical College, Alexandria, MN
Awarded $53,947, Alexandria Technical College Customized Training Division will deliver distance-based training to over 60 technicians employed by Douglas Machine, LLC, Alexandria, MN, and Boise Paper (Boise) in International Falls. The project, titled LongWire, remotely delivers programmable logic control training on live – not simulated – industrial hardware and software. Employees are able to stay on the job site to acquire additional advanced skills.
“The LongWire concept gives industry a strong competitive edge through training that provides flexibility and efficient use of employee time – ultimately a significant cost savings and addition to industry’s bottom line,” says Chad Coauette, Dean of Customized Training for Alexandria Technical College.
Aligning with the Center’s strategic goal to equip manufacturers with an educated workforce, Alexandria Technical College was awarded $50,000 to develop a high school mentor program. The mentor program provides training for high school instructors and provides access to equipment needed to learn advanced computerized machining. The machines will be located at participating high schools, with teachers receiving training during summer camps held on the Alexandria Tech campus.
“The grant provides a career path for students permitting them to move from entry level skills to advanced manufacturing machining and design skills by letting them earn college credits while in high school. Students can complete a college degree in less time and for lower cost,” comments Dr. Jan Doebbert, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Alexandria Technical College.
Anoka Technical College, Anoka, MN
A recent gift of $1Million worth of metal-forming equipment from the Amada Corporation gave Anoka Technical College the base for a metal-forming program. With a grant of $54,000 from the Center, Anoka will develop curriculum and set-up the newly acquired equipment.
“Anoka Technical Collage has significant new capacity and capability to train students in the area of metal-forming because of the Center grant,” says Bob Evans, faculty member. “Metal-forming companies in Minnesota compete successfully on a world-wide basis; however, they tell the Center that the shortage of skilled and creative problem-solvers is their biggest problem. With this new training capability, Anoka Tech will provide companies with the talented workers necessary to stimulate Minnesota’s economy, today and into the future.”
Northeast Higher Education District, Itasca Community College, Grand Rapids. MN
“Many new major industries are ready to start up on the Iron Range including Polymet, Mesabi Nugget, and Essar Steel. These three industries alone will need up to 70 engineers each just to get to full capacity. Coupled with the region’s typical need for about 25
engineers per year, regional needs will be substantially elevated,” explains Ron Ulseth, Itasca Community College engineering faculty and professional engineer.
In response to the region’s growing need, Ulseth and colleagues from Itasca Community College originated Iron Range Engineering Academy which will offer a unique approach to engineering education and provide engineering degree completion programs in Northeast Minnesota. Active participation is the hallmark of the Academy.
“This new pool of engineers, mentored and educated by industry as well as traditional faculty, will serve two major purposes. First, as a resource for new companies looking to move to the area. The companies would likely be ‘value-added’ industries that take as their
input the output of the mineral companies and produce a product to be shipped. Without a supply of engineers and technicians, these companies will not be able to locate here,” Ulseth comments. “The second major purpose will be to become the innovators, the engineers who develop new technologies that will spawn further industry growth in the region.”
South Central College, North Mankato, MN
With a grant of $19,500 from the Center, South Central College will develop an additional facet to their mechatronics program that allows remote access to a robotic cell. Prospective students will learn to program the cell to carry out tasks. Robots are commonly used for repetitive manufacturing tasks.
“Because the curriculum will be delivered remotely, exposure to South Central’s Mechatronics program is simplified and convenient — especially for today’s dislocated worker. This is an accessible program that will help prepare them for new employment opportunities,” says Doug Laven, Director of the Center for Mechatronics at South Central College.
High school and college students will also have the ability to participate in this program. Students will be able to perform a series of tasks to manipulate the robot and view the results in real time from their classroom through an online vision system at South Central
College’s mechatronics classroom. This enables schools to teach robotics to their students without purchasing expensive robotic hardware.
