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CU-ICAR gets machinery, $1.5M for research |
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Friday, 20 June 2008 |
By Lydia Dishman
SCBIZ Daily Contributing Writer
GREENVILLE -- The Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research got a high-tech injection of machinery and corporate funding for their laboratory at the Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center on Thursday.
Tom Kurfess, director of CGEC, took the podium in the central laboratory area to announce a partnership that includes investments by Okuma and Morris South, Machine Tool Systems of $1.5 million.
“This piece of equipment should give you a clue,” Kurfess said gesturing to a machine to his right. Kurfess went on to explain THINC, Okuma’s single processor Intelligent Numerical Control, which enables access to almost any application and peripheral including factory management systems, and interfaces with bar coders, feeders, robots, probes and tool setters to help streamline production.
Okuma America Corp., the U.S. affiliate of Okuma Corp. will provide a $1.1 million consignment of machine tools that include the current machine. Kurfess pointed to two taped areas on the floor that marked the spots for two additional machines that will be delivered shortly.
Morris South will provide $400,000 for training, support and equipment maintenance. Both will enhance post graduate-level education and research in automotive and industrial automation.
Recalling the Okuma machine tool that he used 30 years ago during his training, Kurfess pointed out that Okuma will be loaning the machines to CGEC and swap out when upgrades become available. “It allows us to avoid obsolescence,” Kurfess said explaining that it is important for current and potential students to know that the state-of-the-art claim is backed up by the equipment.
The corporate partners will also sponsor internships. Chan Wong, a second year Ph.D. candidate has been working for Okuma in Charlotte as an intern for the past five weeks and will continue to serve for a three month term. Wong said he was inspired particularly by the opportunity to witness assembly on the line. “From nothing to finish, and how to configure everything; it is overwhelming the amount of exposure I got,” he explained.
Jerry Rex, president of Morris South said there was a lot of opportunity for potential interns not just with Okuma, but also with his company. “We need to develop new ways to get people excited about manufacturing
Bob Kral, vice president of Engineering for Okuma America Corp. noted that there was a practical side to the collaboration. “Our distributor was looking for showrooms in the area and we thought what a great place to have the machines,” he said adding, “But this went beyond machinery, it is a commitment to education.” Kral said Okuma had similar partnerships with Rochester Institute of Technology in New York and York Technical College in Rock Hill. “It is critical to us as we are a leading edge company, we need strong engineering leaders.”
Kurfess pointed out that Okuma’s THINC technology allows the students to create different templates, because he said, “We don’t need to make a million of the same part.” According to Kurfess the machine can be operated from any PC in the CGEC or even on the other side of the world. Rex noted that this capability allowed for easy troubleshooting without waiting for a technician to come down from their Charlotte offices.
Kurfess rubbed his hands together eagerly as he pressed the green button to set in motion the first official cut of metal within. “We’ll be hogging some metal on this machinery shortly,” he said.
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