AUBURN HILLS, Mich. ' ABB Robotics, a supplier of industrial robots, and Vincennes University (VU) have formed a partnership that will greatly enhance the Indiana College's vocational and technical robotic training, and provide ABB with an authorized training facility in the central Midwest. The partnership includes the installation of 29 ABB robots and related work cells, software and controllers into VU's new $9 million industrial training facility, the Indiana Center for Applied Technology (ICAT), which opened in March 2009. VU offers a two-year associate degree in Computer Integrated Manufacturing & Robotics, and a series of robotic training courses in its Workforce Development program. The ICAT will be ABB's third authorized training center in the U.S., joining the headquarters location in Auburn Hills, Michigan and an auxiliary facility in Birmingham, AL.
"VU has been at the forefront of advanced manufacturing education and training for many years and was one of the first schools to offer a degree in robotic technology back in 1983,' said VU President Dick Helton
The ICAT will be equipped with a full range of industrial robots and related peripherals, including eight FlexArc Welding Cells, four IRB 260 Palletizers, three IRB 4600s, twelve IRB 140s and two used IRB 140s for service and maintenance training. In addition to the software and controllers necessary to program and operate each robot, eight of the IRB 140s are equipped with TrueView, ABB's advanced vision system. This will allow students to gain training in applications that include robotic welding and plasma cutting; picking, packing and palletizing; machine tending, material handling and product assembly; and advanced vision related programming.
"Not only will we be able to train our students on state-of-the-art, cutting edge robotic technology, we will be able to expose them to a widest possible range of industrial applications,' said David Tucker, VU vice president, Workforce Development/Community Services. "Those that want more focused training in a specific area, like robotic welding, will also have that opportunity.'
The partnership is a significant step in the strategic plan for ABB to establish regional certified training campuses throughout North America, where robotic technicians will have easier access to comprehensive training and certification.
"Partnering with Vincennes is ideal for ABB on a number of different levels', said Kirk Goins, senior vice president, ABB Robotics Division, North America. "Most importantly it allows us to be a part of one of the top industrial education institutions in the country, and it gives us the perfect model moving forward for establishing similar relationships in other regions.'
VU has had a similar relationship for five years with Haas Automation, a CNC machine tool builder. "Our goal is to cultivate the relationship with ABB much as we have with Haas,' said Tucker. "The opportunity to train students on the best robotic equipment available will continue the increase the visibility and preference of ABB and Vincennes University to industries in the Midwest and beyond.'
ABB Robotics (www.abb.com/robotics) a leading supplier of industrial robots ' also providing robot software, peripheral equipment, modular manufacturing cells and service for tasks such as welding, handling, assembly, painting and finishing, picking, packing, palletizing and machine tending. Key markets include automotive, plastics, metal fabrication, foundry, electronics, pharmaceutical and food and beverage industries. A strong customer focus helps manufacturers improve productivity, product quality and worker safety. ABB has installed more than 160,000 robots worldwide.
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