As part of the agreement, GE Fanuc will provide Kettering University with a set of manufacturing controls components consisting of GE Fanuc's Assembly Application Suite (AAS) hardware and software products to simulate manufacturing environments. Kettering will install the components in the University's Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) labs. In turn, the University will integrate GE Fanuc hardware and software into the course curriculum and develop GE Fanuc-based continuing education offerings. Specifically, GE Fanuc and Kettering will collaborate on case studies and projects to expand GE Fanuc-based course offerings and solutions for discrete manufacturing industries. Kettering will offer initial courses using these resources during the summer 2007 term.
Kettering University is ranked 12th in the country for Best Engineering Programs (non-doctoral institutions) in the 2007 edition of "America's Best Colleges Guide" by U.S. News & World Report. The publication also ranked Kettering's ECE department number seven in the nation. In addition, the institution features a "co-op" program where students receive real-world experience while attending school. The University also provides graduate and continuing education programs.
"The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Kettering University prides itself in providing a current, relevant, and practical engineering education to its students while keeping pace with the leading edge of technology," explained David Foster, lecturer of Computer Engineering at Kettering. "The academic experiences and research opportunities made possible by GE Fanuc's hardware and software will allow us to continue to do just that in the area of discrete manufacturing."
Dr. Juan Pimentel, professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Kettering said, "The cooperative agreement between GE Fanuc and Kettering is timely and will enable Kettering students and faculty, using state of the art equipment, to tackle significant problems faced by U.S. manufacturing plants."
"Education is a key to developing the future engineering work force," said Jack Faett, director of GE Fanuc's discrete manufacturing solutions. "These simulators will be instrumental in developing students' technical skills with manufacturing controls and software solutions."
Chet Namboodri, global director for discrete industries & OEM marketing at GE Fanuc commented, "GE Fanuc is pleased and honored to be integral in the hands-on laboratory education and controls curriculum development for the ECE department at Kettering, one of the preeminent manufacturing engineering universities in the world."
About Kettering University
Located in Flint, Michigan, Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute) is one of the country's premier co-op institutions and provides 2,200 students with career-based education in engineering, applied sciences, mathematics, and business management. Founded in 1919, the University also offers graduate programs in engineering and manufacturing management. Kettering University is ranked among the nation's finest specialty schools by U.S. News & World Report. For further information, click here.
About GE Fanuc Automation
GE Fanuc Automation, a joint venture between GE and FANUC Ltd. of Japan, delivers automation hardware and software designed to help users reduce costs, increase efficiency and enhance profitability. With solutions and services catering to virtually every industrial segment, GE Fanuc Automation provides a diverse array of capabilities and products, including controllers, embedded systems, advanced software, motion control, CNCs, operator interfaces, industrial computers, and lasers. Headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, GE Fanuc Automation is a part of GE Industrial and combines the diverse global strengths of the GE family with the local presence customers need to design, develop and maintain their automation investments.
For more information, click here or contact: GE Fanuc Information Center, P.O. Box 8106, Charlottesville, VA 22906, Phone: (800) GE FANUC (800-433-2682), Fax: 434-978-5205, e-mail: [email protected].