Mechatronics Program Gets New Training Equipment, Thanks to Private Donations and NSF Grant

New state-of-the-art manufacturing training stations
for the Mechatronics Program.

The Mechatronics Program purchased six state-of-the-art manufacturing training stations, thanks to a combination of generous private donations and grant money from the National Science Foundation totaling approximately $250,000.
The stations will be used to teach and test Mechatronics students on programming, troubleshooting and maintaining real-world, high-tech assembly line equipment that is used by industrial manufacturers today.

Each station is equipped with an on-board programmable controller that allows instructors Dave Mack and Denis Green to vary the function of each station as well as insert faults that will test the troubleshooting skill levels of students at each stage of their training.

This gives the instructors the ability to test each student’s ability equally using the same circumstances, said Dave Mack - something for which earlier equipment did not allow. The modular stations can be used individually, or linked together to form a complete manufacturing line.

On the technology side, the stations integrate sensors, servos, robotics, micro-inspection cameras and energy efficiency measuring tools such as leak detectors with basic assembly line components such as pneumatic and hydraulic actuators, conveyor belts, start/stop stations and alarms.

The program's goal is to add additional stations to the line in the future, as funding permits.