Dick Tarbox, Society
of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation (SME-EF)
Board member (left) presents a ceremonial check to Professor
Marvin McKimpson, Michigan Technological University,
Institute of Materials Processing.
Michigan Tech, Industry Create
Student Manufacturing Program
HOUGHTON, MI--Michigan Tech and a handful of its industrial partners have created an innovative student Program in Integrated, Sustainable Manufacturing (PrISM).
The undergraduate program will provide engineering and business students with a team-based learning experience designed to: 1) provide greater hands-on exposure to manufacturing operations, 2) improve understanding of the engineering and human factors necessary for commercially-viable manufacturing operations, 3) expand awareness of environmental issues associated with manufacturing, and 4) increase appreciation for the importance of business issues in commercial manufacturing activities.
The program will be headed by Dr. Klaus Weinmann of Michigan Tech's Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics and Dr. Marvin McKimpson of the University's Institute of Materials Processing.
"Learning experiences will center around a year-long, student-led, hands-on project to design, manufacture, and sell a product of the students' choice," explained McKimpson. "Manufacturing of the annual student product will be carried out primarily using existing engineering and shape-making facilities on campus, including a computer-aided engineering laboratory, pilot-scale foundry, numerically controlled machining center, and a powder processing facility.
"Design and manufacturing of the annual product will be spearheaded by a 'management team' of fourth-year engineering students. This team will work with participating sophomores and juniors to design the product, develop appropriate manufacturing practices, manufacture the product, and distribute it to appropriate sales outlets."
McKimpson said students participating in the program will take a series of new, multi-disciplinary instructional modules focused on manufacturing topics. These five-week modules, he said, will address topics such as project management, manufacturing process design, environmental awareness, cost analysis, and product development. The program will lay the groundwork required for an eventual University certificate or minor in manufacturing at Michigan Tech.
The multi-disciplinary program will be developed cooperatively by faculty in the mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics, electrical engineering, and metallurgical and materials engineering departments, the School of Business and Economics, and industry participants from C. Thorrez Industries, Inc. of Jackson, MI, GM Powertrain of Pontiac, MI, the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences of Ann Arbor, MI, Johnson Controls of Milwaukee, and the John Deere Product Engineering Center of Waterloo, IA. Performance objectives and assessment techniques will be established jointly by the University and industry representatives. Industrial participants will also provide direct input to PrISM by mentoring student teams, making case study presentations, and critiquing student project presentations.
Funding for the program is being provided by a $170,500 grant from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers spread over two years, matched by $431,000 from industrial sources and the University.
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07/13/98-MTN090