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LSSU Seniors Realize Their Vision Via Portable Robotic Workcell
 Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), a leading supplier of factory automation design, engineering and process consulting services sponsored the development of a vision-based robotic workcell as a senior project at Lake Superior State University. Designed by the students, with support and guidance from AMT’s Jean-Pierre Rasaiah, the cell identifies and robotically packages consumer products from a moving conveyor.
The workcell is based on a multi-axis workcell donated by Bosch Rexroth, including a conveyor system and a motion logic controller. To help complete the project, AMT was also able to arrange the use of a Stäubli RX60 robot & controller, a Cognex DVT Legend 520 SmartImage camera, and a Siemens HMI panel.
“We’ve worked closely with Lake Superior State University for years, and we’re excited to support another strong class of graduating seniors,” commented Joe Campbell, AMT’s COO. “LSSU has developed a world class automation program, and we’re proud to be a small part of their success.”
Kevin Gingerich, director of marketing services at Bosch Rexroth in Buchanan, MI said of their donation to the project, “By providing the LSSU team with Rexroth technology, we knew they'd get a chance to work under real-world conditions with world-class automation components.” Gingerich added, “We were also confident AMT would provide the seniors with good supervision and support. We're pleased that the timing was right and that we had the opportunity and the means to contribute.”
“Our senior projects provide our students with a simulation of the real-life engineering,” said Dr. Taskin Padir, assistant professor at LSSU, and faculty advisor for this project. “This experience makes sure that they are ready to take the challenge as they graduate and join the engineering work force. That's why AMT's support is valued greatly by the students and faculty at LSSU.”
The LSSU robotic workcell is built on Rexroth’s aluminum extrusion framework, employing a Bosch Rexroth VarioFlow conveyor system, IndraMotion MLC motion logic controller, IndraDrive Servos and IndraDyn Motors to circulate the products through the cycle.
A Cognex SmartImage camera scans each product as it passes, while the program notifies the Stäubli robot to retrieve a specific selection and drop it off the line to be packaged. Parameters for the project define a successful running cycle to continue for ten hours with no more than one hour of recovery time. The completed workcell will be used as a training device for future students and AMT personnel alike.
Founded in 1989 by Michael Jacobs, AMT is a leading supplier of complete consulting and engineering services, offering single-source engineering solutions to the automation and manufacturing industries. The company’s service offerings range from design and simulation to programming, installation and support of industrial automation solutions. The company’s technical and industry expertise in process automation for the automotive, aerospace, building materials, consumer products, food, heavy equipment, machinery, medical, and truck industries offers its customers the highest quality professional service available in the industrial arena. For more information contact Applied Manufacturing Technologies at 248-409-2000, or online at www.appliedmfg.com.
Madl Manufacturing Engineering Technology Award debuts
Jan and John Madl are thanked by Dean Morrie Walworth for their award contribution. The slide rule is one of many items rescued by John and now hangs in the school office.
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Professor Emeritus John Madl, and his wife, Jan, donated a $500 award for a full-time manufacturing engineering technology student who has earned at least 26 credits. The impetus behind the award was to help a struggling student.
"I struggled as a student and want to help someone in a similar situation. Perhaps part of the struggle is trying to do well as a result of having to work outside of school to be able to afford living and educational expenses," said John regarding the type of student he would like to see as a recipient. He's thinking of the person who works hard, studies hard, and contributes to LSSU but doesn't necessarily get top grades. That said, the requisite minimum GPA is 2.0.
Candidates should indicate a need for the award in their submission letter. Although the award is not automatically-renewable, recipients are eligible to reapply for it each year. Selection is made the faculty of the School of Engineering and Technology.
John Madl started teaching in the Engineering Department at the Soo Branch of MTU in 1967 after finishing his MSME at Michigan Technological University. He accepted early retirement in 2002 after 34 years of service to Lake Superior State University.
Jan (Osterhout) Madl was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. She received her RN from LSSU in 1982 and has since retired from War Memorial Hospital. They have three children: Janel Wallis, Dawn Cole, and Bryan Madl. John and Jan also have three grandsons.
Engineering Day 2008 and the Rube Goldberg Machine Competition
 RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINE COMPETITION
Congratulations go to East Jordan, Mackinaw City and Petoskey! The 2008 event was held on campus in the Cisler Center on Thursday, March 27. This year's teams hailed from Sault Area High School, Mackinaw City, East Jordan and Petoskey. A rivalry has developed between the Petoskey and East Jordan schools. Edging in on that rivalry is Mackinaw City. Check out the links to the Petoskey News Review to read more and view a clip about East Jordan and Petoskey's entries.
[Points were based on a possible total of 100]
1st Place: East Jordan's Bubba's Burgers with 97 points
2nd Place: Mackinaw City's Swords & Sprockets with 83 points
3rd Place: Petoskey's Candy Shop only 1 point behind...with 82 points
4th Place: East Jordan's Game Weavers with 75 points
Placing 5th was Mackinaw City's "Life on a Farm" at 70 points. Petoskey's "Rube's Room" placed 6th and "Swiss Family Robinson" took 7th with 68 and 65 points respectively. Sault Area High School's "Play1inators" had 53 points for 8th and the "Hamburglars" were right behind with 52 points in 9th.
Bubba's Burgers and Swords & Sprockets have been entered into the 2008 National Rube Goldberg Machine High School Competiton to be held on April 5 at the University of Purdue. Good Luck!
MOUSETRAP CAR RACES
This year's races were dominated by Sault Area High School. A total of six cars competed, but only two qualified by traveling a minimum of 25 feet.
Kaitlyn Storey of Speed Demons took first in speed, crossing 25 ft in 3.1 seconds and in distance traveling 43 ft. 10 inches. Kaitlyn took home the overall champion trophy for her combined scores as well as medals for speed and distance. The members of Joogagadada, Chris Coullard and Kyle McGahey, placed second in both speed [4.5 seconds] and distance [31 ft. 4 inches].
To read more about LSSU's Engineering Day, click here.
EAC Accreditations Announced
Bachelor's degree programs in engineering at Lake Superior State University have been accredited through 2013 after a recent visit by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, an accrediting body that has examined LSSU programs for many years.
The LSSU School of Engineering and Technology was visited by a review team from the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET during September 2006 for the reaccreditation of its electrical and mechanical engineering programs, and the initial accreditation of the computer engineering program. All three received word that accreditation has been granted through September 30, 2013. These programs join the LSSU manufacturing engineering technology program, which is accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET until fall 2011.
Fall 2006 and Spring 2007 graduates of the CE program are now qualified to receive their ring from the Order of the Engineer. Contact Jeanne at jmshibly@lssu.edu if you'd like to request a ring.
Morrie Walworth, dean of the LSSU School of Engineering and Technology, said the full six-year accreditation time frame for all programs is outstanding. Typically, interim reports and/or visits are required to provide revised and updated information related to specific ABET committee concerns.
“It was obvious that there was a dedicated and cooperative effort from all of the faculty and staff in the School of Engineering and Technology in order to receive such an incredible affirmation by ABET,” said Walworth. “The school also acknowledges the extra efforts of time, preparation and leadership by Profs. Paul Duesing, Jim Devaprasad and David Baumann. They, along with the faculty and accreditation committee members, provided the guidance and encouragement for such a successful accreditation visit.”
To prepare for the visit, the School of Engineering and Technology collected materials from departments throughout campus. The materials were from those courses required for engineering students outside of their major areas, including English, humanities, mathematics, computer science, and physical, chemical, natural and social sciences.
Walworth specifically praised faculty in mathematics and computer science for their efforts with the accreditation visit.
"The courses they offer and the assessment performed in their areas provide an excellent foundation for our engineering students," he said.
The ABET team also met with alumni from the engineering programs and members of the school's Industrial Advisory Board.
"The involvement and influence of these constituencies upon the engineering curriculum has continually impressed ABET visitors for over a decade," Walworth said.
In addition to holding face-to-face meetings with students, alumni, campus administrators and support services, the ABET team spoke with six-month and three-year graduates of the programs as part of the school's continuous improvement plan. The team noted excellent support for engineering across campus.
Walworth said the LSSU student body, which benefits the most from the accreditation efforts, has provided the best evidence for accreditation. The students provide samples of classroom and lab work for ABET team review.
"The students' performance is a direct result of the curriculum, the faculty and the LSSU environment," Walworth said.
ABET is the recognized U.S. accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. It has accredited nearly 3,000 programs at more than 550 institutions. The organization has been recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation since 1997.
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