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Contact: David Stawasz, Stephen Roulier or Barbara Campanella
Engineering Students Intern in Ireland
Posted October 22, 2009
Two engineering students had the opportunity to do internships at the National University of Ireland (NUI) in Galway Ireland during the summer 2009. Tim Mercier, a junior majoring in mechanical enginneering, and Ashley Skeete, a senior majoring in industrial engineering, spent the summer working at the National University of Ireland in Galway, Ireland. They worked on developing laboratory exercises to model material handling systems using LEGO mindstorms. The internship was funded and the two had the opportunity to work in the industrial engineering department at NUI. In addition, they had several opportunities to travel around Ireland, travel to England, and the Continent.
The purpose of this project is to create a flexible manufacturing simulation to be integrated into coursework at the National University of Ireland, Galway using LEGO Mindstorms technology. Specified learning objectives of the project deliverables are in reference to Automation, Production Systems, and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, and include the following:
• Automation and Robotics
• Hardware Components
• Robotic Programming
• Material Transport Systems
• Automated Assembly Lines and Systems
• Flexible Manufacturing Systems
Course objectives will be delivered in 6 separate laboratories. Each laboratory will be directed by a comprehensive manual composed of pictorial and written reference to aid students in building their own manufacturing facility. The first laboratory introduces students to the LEGO Mindstorms kits, while the next three laboratories aim to build single station manufacturing cells. These manufacturing cells will be combined in the 5th practical to create an entire automated assembly overseen by the LEGO NXT. A 6th laboratory experience is aimed towards collaborating with students in the United States in an open ended challenge. A key parameter of the laboratories is for students to build small mechanized cells while considering final coordination of the overall manufacturing system.
Western New England College is a private, independent, coeducational institution founded in 1919. Located on an attractive 215-acre suburban campus in Springfield, Massachusetts, the College serves 3,700 students, including 2,500 full-time undergraduate students. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs are offered through the College's Schools of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Law.
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