DATE: June 19, 2008
CONTACT:
Tom Kurfess, (864) 283-7219
kurfess@clemson.edu
CONTACT:
Jolyn Key, Okuma America Corp., (704) 504-6484
WRITER:
Sandra Woodward, (864) 656-1220
sandra@clemson.edu
CU-ICAR partners with Okuma, Morris South to support automotive engineering education and research
CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson University and Okuma America Corp. announced a partnership that includes investments by Okuma and Morris South, Machine Tool Systems of $1.5 million in the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR).
Consignment of $1.1 million of Okuma machine tools and $400,000 in training and support from Morris South will benefit post graduate-level education and research in areas that include automotive, industrial automation, production launches and proposal development.
Okuma America Corp. is the U.S.- based affiliate of Okuma Corp., a world leader in the development of computer numeric controls and machining technology. Under the terms of the agreement, Okuma and regional distributor Morris South will provide equipment and support services for the automotive engineering research and graduate education programs in the Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center (CGEC), the academic anchor for CU-ICAR. Okuma also will provide an annual internship with the company for a student enrolled in the automotive engineering graduate program.
CGEC Director Tom Kurfess announced the first Okuma intern, Chan Wong, already is working in the company’s U.S. headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. He noted that with locations throughout the world, Okuma offers students outstanding internship opportunities.
Instead of donating specific equipment, Okuma is providing state-of-the-art equipment in a consignment agreement that will continuously upgrade equipment for new versions as improvements are made. The arrangement also enables the CU-ICAR team to effectively tailor their capabilities to meet industry needs by working with Okuma to identify and provide the best possible equipment for newly initiated research and education projects.
“Okuma is committed to making sure our students and faculty have access to the latest technology,” Kurfess said. “They have allowed us to avoid obsolescence, one of the biggest problems we face in terms of equipment. We do not have to dispose of or replace equipment; they will update as new generations of this machinery become available. The assurance that they will be working on the latest equipment from one of the world’s most outstanding machine tool companies is extremely important for our current and potential students, and it is also important for those who will be hiring our graduates. We are very grateful for the very generous terms of this agreement.”
The Okuma equipment will be used in both research and education programs, according to Kurfess. Research applications will include machining, metrology and machine-integration research projects — such as National Science Foundation and U.S. Army machining projects — as well as serving as available resources for developing new proposals. The equipment will be integrated directly with graduate engineering classes such as automotive manufacturing processes, production preparation and launch and industrial automation. The faculty will use the equipment to provide demonstrations and data to reinforce class concepts.
After spending many years in the automotive industry, Bob Kral, vice president of operations for Okuma America, sees extensive value in automotive industry research.
“As a car guy, I know how important it is to find those new innovations that break through the technological barriers we are particularly facing now in the domestic market. Okuma appreciates the opportunity to be a part of a premier global initiative that supports research for advanced manufacturing and promotes higher learning.”
Kurfess said the partnership with Okuma and Morris South will improve the automotive engineering graduate program significantly by providing practical reinforcement of modeling and control concepts.
“It improves our capabilities to enable research in advanced machining and machining control areas, which is critical to automotive manufacturing," he said. "Through the expert support the companies will provide students will also interact with some of the machine tool industry’s top control-system developers. Additionally, domestic and international internships are a critical part of our graduate program, and this partnership offers our students tremendous opportunity. We look forward to working with these outstanding companies.”
END
Okuma America Corp.
As a world leader in the development of computer numeric controls and machining technology, Okuma machines are known for their power, control, reliability and repeatability. Okuma offers vertical and horizontal machining centers, lathes, double-column machining centers, grinders and wheel machines to meet a wide range of industry needs.
Located in Charlotte, Okuma America is the U.S.-based affiliate of Okuma Corp.. which was founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan. Okuma builds machines that have the balance of power, speed and size to meet most any application — machines that can hold tight tolerances, perform sophisticated cuts and create precision-crafted parts. Only Okuma engineers and builds each component on every machine, including the Automatic Tool Changer, motor/drive/encoder, base casting, turret, spindle and the Microsoft Windows-based THINC-OSP control with its 40 GB open architecture plug-and-play capability.
Providing superior service and support through the Okuma CARE program, 44 distributor partners also provide One Source sales, service, training, engineering and more throughout North and South America. Okuma initiated Partners in THINC to meet the evolving needs of industry as a one-stop facility and concept. More than 30 collaborating partners from ABB to Zoller work under the same roof to provide advanced-technology solutions to customers.
Visit www.okuma.com or www.partnersinthinc.com for more information.
Morris South
Located in Charlotte, Morris South, Machine Tool Systems has been serving Southeast manufacturers for more than 25 years, Morris South, Machine Tool Systems offers the full line of Okuma products; fully automated turnkey solutions, manual lathes, mills, electronic lathes, transfer equipment and CMMs. Visit www.morrissouth.com for more information.
CU-ICAR
The Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research is an advanced-technology research campus where university, industry and government organizations engage in synergistic collaboration. With more than $200 million in commitments, it represents the ultimate public-private partnership, directly fueling a knowledge base critical to the automotive industry.
CU-ICAR is strategically located in the rapidly growing southeastern automotive and motorsports region. The 250-acre campus in Greenville, S.C., is midway between Charlotte and Atlanta on the Interstate 85 corridor. This is where Clemson University offers the nation’s only Ph.D. in automotive engineering, contributing to the university’s continued climb in national reputation. For more information, visit www.cuicar.com.