Developing Engineering Technology Programs to Address the Workforce Skills Gaps in Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing

Collaborative robots (CoBots) are robots that can safely work alongside human workers. CoBots represent one form of advanced automation technology in manufacturing and are expected to become standard in production systems. They have the potential to transform manufacturing and assembly processes, however, there is a critical lack of U.S. trained CoBot technicians and engineers. The objective of this paper is to describe and introduce novel Collaborative Robotics course modules and their integration in Engineering and Engineering Technology programs at Wayne State University (WSU) and Oakland Community College (OCC). Modules cover three target areas: 1) Safety considerations for CoBots, 2) CoBot operations and programming, 3) Designing and evaluating CoBot systems. Modules cover fundamental knowledge of CoBots in advanced manufacturing systems and are developed based on input from CoBot manufacturers and experiments at the WSU’s Cobotics lab. Module components include CoBot fundamentals and hands-on laboratory exercises necessary to prepare a career-ready workforce, train industry professionals, and educate academicians on CoBot technologies for advanced manufacturing. Modules and components are developed such that the elements can be integrated into the current Robotics and Automated Systems Technology program at OCC and Engineering and Engineering Technology programs at WSU.

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Use of Adaptable Simulation-based Virtual Laboratories for Teaching Alternative Energy and Energy Conservation in Engineering & Technology Programs

10.18260/1-2--18578 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yakov Cherner ◽

Ahmed Khan ◽

Aminul Karim ◽

Gary Mullett

Keyword(s):

Energy Conservation ◽

Alternative Energy ◽

Engineering Technology ◽

Virtual Laboratories ◽

Simulation Based ◽

Technology Programs

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Enhancing Student Learning In Engineering Technology Programs ? A Case For Physical Simulations

10.18260/1-2--1551 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Alok Verma

Keyword(s):

Student Learning ◽

Engineering Technology ◽

Physical Simulations ◽

Technology Programs

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Assessing The Competencies In The Manufacturing Engineering Technology Programs

10.18260/1-2--11188 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jihad Albayyari ◽

Bob Lahidji

Keyword(s):

Engineering Technology ◽

Technology Programs ◽

Manufacturing Engineering

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The Good, Bad, and the Ugly of the Divide Between Engineering and Engineering Technology

Innovations and Applied Research in Mechanical Engineering Technology ◽

10.1115/imece2002-33965 ◽

2002 ◽

Author(s):

S. Kant Vajpayee ◽

David H. Loflin

Keyword(s):

Critical Analysis ◽

Colleges And Universities ◽

Current Situation ◽

Engineering Technology ◽

History Of ◽

Mixed Outcomes ◽

Technology Programs ◽

History Of Engineering

Engineering technology programs in U.S colleges and universities were established by the 1970s. Their separate existence from engineering has resulted in mixed outcomes—some good, some bad, and some outright ugly. By ugly we mean the confusions generated by the divide between engineering and engineering technology. In this paper, critical analysis of the good, the bad, and the ugly is presented. It begins with a brief history of engineering technology as a discipline, discusses the current situation, points out the fact that few advanced countries practice such a divide, and offers some suggestions for improvement.

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