Eau Claire, WI – Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) demonstrated its brand new Industry 4.0 Learning System during a visit from Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker on October 6, 2017.
Minutes after Governor Walker entered his name into the system’s computer network, a custom USB Flash Drive, bearing his name and the CVTC logo, was delivered by the system, having been automatically machined, assembled and packaged as the Governor looked on.
The system, the result of a collaboration between Chippewa Valley Technical College, LAB Midwest, FANUC and Rockwell Automation, is intended to equip CVTC’s students with the skills required in today’s cutting edge Smart Manufacturing environment. It was designed from the ground up specifically as a teaching tool to deliver learning in the latest Industry 4.0 and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies.
CVTC Industrial Mechanics Program Director Tim Tewalt, accompanied by CVTC Dean of Skilled Trades, Engineering and Manufacturing, Dr. Jeff Sullivan and LAB Midwest CEO Renee Kirchner, provided Governor Walker with an in-depth overview of the system’s capabilities and the Industry 4.0 learning it assists Tewalt in delivering to his students.
The system includes Robotic and CNC equipment from FANUC, the most widely used Robots and CNC Controls in industry. Utilizing solutions engineered by Rockwell Automation (Foxconn’s chosen control system partner for its Wisconsin expansion), and a variety of IIoT smart sensors, line performance can be monitored at the point of production, as well as remotely via the internet. HMIs located at each manufacturing operation deliver real-time data including throughput, cycle-time, reject rates, performance to standard, uptime, preventive and predictive maintenance information and more.
Pertinent production data can be monitored via a tablet computer or on a computer screen in a classroom located any distance from the production line. All production data can be collected in real-time and exported for use in analysis and predictive analytics.
Incorporating authentic industry-standard technology equipment, the system offers learning and related certifications, supported by curriculum where appropriate, in the Industry 4.0 fields of Automation, Robotics, Programmable Logic Controllers, Human Machine Interfaces, CNC Programming, Setup and Operation, Laser Engraving, Networking, RFID, Barcoding, Variable Frequency Drives, Material Handling and Troubleshooting.
The system, engineered and integrated by APT Manufacturing Solutions, can be used to deliver several credentials, including FANUC Level 1 – Robotic Operations & Programming, FANUC Level 2 – advanced Robots and iRVision, Rockwell Automation ControlLogix Maintainer Certificate Level 2, NIMS Metalworking Certification and FANUC CNC Certification Levels 1 & 2.
Interested in Industry 4.0 technology for your classroom? We can help!
