May 9, 2008

College of Technology open house to feature mechatronics demonstration

The open house, which will be 3:30-5 p.m. at the Columbus location at 4601 Central Ave., Room 101, will feature a demonstration of the equipment known as a mechatronics system. It is open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

Mechatronics, a blend of mechanics and electronics, is a field of study that focuses on the integration of mechanical engineering, industrial and computer technologies to control machine movements.

Typical applications include automated manufacturing operations that contain various types of electrical sensors to monitor machine operations and programmable controllers for decision making to control machine movements. All the operations are typically networked to provide communication between stations and track the process.

Joe Fuehne, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering technology, said the demonstration will include seven machines, each of which are connected, that will work together to produce a directional control valve used in hydraulic systems to direct oil to the correct location in vehicles such as dump trucks.

"This is a great tool for students because it teaches them about a modern, lean manufacturing system," he said. "The students will learn not just the mechanical parts of the system, such as pneumatic systems and robotics, but they also will have to develop the computer software that links the machines together and tracks the progress of the process."

Fuehne said open house visitors will be able to see the software in action on each machine as it responds to sensors along the way. He said the seven machines together are about 10 feet wide and 4 feet high.

"One of the advantages of mechatronics is that it is highly advanced but doesn't take up a great deal of room," he said.

Jack Head, assistant location director at Columbus, said that the mechatronics system will be a major asset to students.

"This equipment is a tremendous addition to the College of Technology at Columbus," he said. "It will be incorporated into several courses in mechanical engineering technology and the new bachelor of science degree in the discipline. And since mechatronics involves so much more than mechanical systems, we will be developing a multidisciplinary course that will include students from organizational leadership and supervision, computer and information technology, and industrial technology.

"We are proud to have this state-of-the-art equipment and invite prospective students, educators, businesspeople and others in the community to take a look at what we have to offer."

The mechatronics equipment is owned by the state of Indiana and is funded through an Indiana Department of Workforce Development grant to Region 9, which includes southeastern Indiana.

The Purdue College of Technology at Columbus offers bachelor's degrees in mechanical engineering technology, computer and information technology, industrial technology, and organizational leadership and supervision. It is one of three educational institutions located at the Columbus Learning Center. Also at the center are Ivy Tech and Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus. The institutions share space at the center but are governed by three separate organizational entities.

Writer:     Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu

Sources: Jack Head, (812) 348-7211, jhead@purdue.edu

Joe Fuehne, (812) 348-7203, jfuehne@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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