SUNY Polytechnic Institute is taking a significant step towards preparing the future workforce for advanced manufacturing. With a $44 million state investment, the institute is designing a state-of-the-art robotics and advanced manufacturing research and education lab, along with a semiconductor-processing lab.
While the traditional image of manufacturing may be one of dirty factories and manual labor, SUNY Poly President Winston Soboyejo explains that advanced manufacturing is a new vision. With clean environments and cutting-edge technology, manufacturing has evolved into what is now known as Industry 4.0. This fourth industrial revolution incorporates digitalization, automation, and robotics to reinvent the manufacturing process.
The semiconductor lab will focus on STEM education and research in semiconductor manufacturing. The advanced manufacturing lab, on the other hand, will provide students with the skills they need for complex manufacturing processes. It will feature advanced robotics, sensors and controls, smart manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 initiatives. Additionally, it will be connected to SUNY Poly’s AI for All facility, offering integrated learning opportunities.
Michael Carpenter, interim dean of SUNY Poly’s College of Engineering, emphasizes that the lab will be cross-disciplinary, reflecting the collaborative nature of advanced manufacturing. Students will not only acquire technical skills but also learn how to analyze data and troubleshoot operational failures.
SUNY Poly aims to have the lab operational by this spring, offering hands-on projects and challenges for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees. Furthermore, the lab will cater to nontraditional students and provide certifications and micro-credentials to professionals. Carpenter believes that the lab will be a unique asset in Central New York and hopes to attract students of all types to consider a career in advanced manufacturing.
President Soboyejo is also committed to building partnerships and organizing events to expose students to the opportunities in advanced manufacturing. Recently, SUNY Poly hosted the inaugural Women in Manufacturing Summit, highlighting the importance of diversity in the industry. Soboyejo hopes to organize similar events in the future to inspire more students to pursue STEM careers.
The state investment in SUNY Poly’s advanced manufacturing lab, along with other campus improvements, underscores the growing demand for skilled workers in the industry. As companies like Wolfspeed, Indium, Danfoss, and Micron continue to expand, the need for qualified employees is expected to rise. SUNY Poly aims to collaborate with educational institutions at all levels to meet these workforce needs and support regional economic growth.
With the new lab on the horizon, SUNY Polytechnic Institute is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of manufacturing in America.
The source of the article is from the blog regiozottegem.be