DATE: May 04, 2009
CONTACT:
Laine Mears, 864-283-7229
mears@clemson.edu
CONTACT:
Karl Brauner, 864-679-8024
kbrauner@teamaec.com
WRITER:
Angela Nixon, 864-656-0382
anixon@clemson.edu
Greenville company donates robot to CU-ICAR graduate program
CLEMSON — Greenville-based Automation Engineering Corp. has donated a KUKA six-axis robot valued at $15,500 to the Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR). The robot will be used in research and education by students studying factory automation in the automotive engineering graduate program.
The robot can be used for a wide variety of manufacturing projects, such as welding cars on an assembly line, painting or moving parts from one position to another. Students have specified, purchased and installed supporting hardware, learned the KUKA programming language and are able to manipulate the robot in a variety of tasks.
Automotion Engineering (AEC) also provides engineering support and consultation to the students, enhancing the value of the robot as a teaching tool, said mechanical engineering professor Laine Mears.
“The hardware and support provides hands-on learning in conjunction with the academic automation concepts taught in class, showing students that automating a task requires more than just programming, but a deeper understanding of design, control and safety issues,” Mears said.
The corporation has provided support for CU-ICAR in the past, including a $100,000 gift to fund graduate fellowships.
“AEC has been interested in CU-ICAR since it was first announced,” said Gary Foster, president of Automation Engineering. “We knew that this would be an engine to drive engineering and technology in the Upstate, and we knew that we wanted to be part of it. Collaboration between industry and academics is a very powerful tool. We expect CU-ICAR to produce excellent engineers and technical leaders and we’re excited to be part of that future.”
About Automation Engineering Corp.
Automation Engineering Corp. was formed in 1981. It develops and manufactures machines and control systems for manufacturing. Automotion Engineering Corp. equipment and systems solve problems for many manufacturers in a variety of industries. It is located off of Pelham Road in Greenville. For more information, visit www.TeamAEC.com.