Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Placing an emphasis in the application of computer systems to modern manufacturing.

Classes and Labs Taught by Professors (Not by Teaching Assistants)

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Hands-on Learning Technology Programs

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>75% of Classes Have a Lab

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Manufacturing engineering technology (MfgET) is a multi-disciplinary field that integrates knowledge from areas of study such as science, math, computers, mechanical engineering, electronics engineering, management and economics. MfgET is a profession that gives you the expertise to develop tools, processes, machines and equipment to make quality products at a reasonable cost. The profession also involves working with and coordination of people from several other fields. In addition to providing a strong background in the fundamentals of manufacturing engineering technology, the program places an emphasis in the application of computer systems to modern manufacturing. This includes topics such as robotics, computer-aided design (CAD), programmable logic controllers (PLC), and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM).

The Manufacturing Engineering Technology program is a full four-year BS degree. Although it is not as mathematically rigorous as the Mechanical Engineering program, it does share a few courses with it and is quite rigorous compared to other many similarly titled programs elsewhere. Students in the Manufacturing Engineering Technology program have the opportunity to use their technical electives to obtain a minor in Robotics Technology, and graduates have excellent job prospects.

Why Students Choose LSSU

  • Since a typical LSSU engineering technology class has about 15 students, you will have the chance to work closely with your instructors, all of whom are full-time faculty members, rather than graduate student assistants. The small class sizes also promote interaction in the lecture and the laboratory with other students and with your instructor.
  • Recognizing that learning comes through doing as well as listening, the Manufacturing Engineering Technology program is designed to include a significant amount of practical engineering technology experience. Accordingly, the core of the curriculum contains 19 engineering and engineering technology courses, of which 16 contain a laboratory component. Additionally, nearly all technical elective courses also contain laboratory components. Some courses also include a term design or research project, providing further opportunity to learn through experience.
  • The core of the Manufacturing Engineering Technology curriculum emphasizes practical applications such as solid modelling (CAD), manufacturing, production, control via PLC’s, and basic robotic technology. The technical elective portion of the curriculum also provides the opportunity for additional study in robotics via the Robotics Technology minor.
  • All LSSU engineering and engineering technology students participate in a senior project. Our senior projects span two semesters during the senior year and are usually sponsored by an industrial customer. A typical senior project team is comprised of four or five students having various engineering and engineering technology majors. The team works directly with their customer to complete the project. Skills such as leadership, team work, financial budgeting, project management, technical writing, presentations, and design reviews are just among the many soft skills that are honed through this experience. It prepares the engineering technology students for a future in industry.

ABET ETAC Logo

The Manufacturing Engineering Technology bachelor’s degree program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org

Coordination of People

The Manufacturing Engineering Technology bachelor’s of science degree is an ABET-accredited program that integrates knowledge from areas of study such as science, math, computers, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, management and economics with an emphasis on preparing you to solve real-world engineering problems. It is a profession that gives you expertise to develop tools, processes, machines and equipment to make quality products at a reasonable cost. The profession also involves working with and coordination of people from several other fields.

There are two options from which to select your emphasis area

  • Robotics & Automation
  • General Manufacturing

In either option students also participate in the senior year experience which includes one of the following:

  • Cooperative experience with industry
  • Industry sponsored team project
  • Research team project

Senior Projects – Real World Experience

Our students participate in a senior-year experience which includes one team project or a research team project.Six engineering students were recognized this past year at two competitions held at professional conferences when it presented “Mobile Robotics Workcell – Using Robotics to Lure Young Minds to Manufacturing Engineering.”

Under the direction of Prof. Jim Devaprasad, the senior project team Automated Promotional Engineering Systems (APES) designed and built a mobile robotics workcell that showcases various automation technologies.

“Given the national need to encourage young minds to seek careers in math and science fields, we hope to entice young individuals to the exciting opportunities in engineering and technology by demonstrating this mobile robotic workcell. It has already been showcased many times at LSSU in the summer engineering camps and for visitors in the engineering departments.”

Jim DevaprasadProfessor

The workcell’s robot demonstrates two projects: automatic solving of a user-scrambled Rubik’s cube (above), and the automated assembly of an automotive distributor (below).

Team member Kate Kuuskman, mechanical engineering, from Sault, Ont., and Leith Nader, also mechanical engineering, from Milford, Mich. (now an applications engineer with Kawasaki Robotics in Wixom, Mich.), presented a paper on the project that received honorable mention at the Pan American Federation of Engineering Societies Convention in Atlanta, Ga., last fall. LSSU was one of five universities invited to make presentations, along with Cornell, Michigan Tech, U.S. Air Force Academy and University of Puerto Rico. Fellow teammate and alumnus Brad Bertels of Ironwood, Mich. (now working for RoboTek in Brighton, Mich.) presented the project at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ International Conference of Manufacturing Science and Engineering in Ypsilanti, Mich. Again, LSSU was one of only five finalists invited to participate and present a technical paper. The project took second place in the ASME Student Design Competition behind University of Florida – Gainesville, and ahead of University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and University of New Hampshire.

Employers

Whether it be a single gear or a complete automobile engine, the complete set of events that results in a finished product is planned and implemented by a manufacturing engineer. Once you graduate from LSSU, you will have many manufacturing career choices ranging from applied technical research to management of systems and personnel. Typical graduates have obtained engineering and technology positions in design of automated manufacturing systems, computer-aided design and manufacturing, quality control, robotics applications, automotive component manufacturing, design of manufacturing processes and equipment, maintenance, sales and management of manufacturing systems. Some graduates have also transferred to graduate schools to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees.

  • AAR Mobility Systems
  • Algoma Tubes
  • Applied Manufacturing Technologies
  • Automation Tooling Systems
  • Axxis Corporation
  • CTA Acoustics
  • Destaco Company
  • ESSAR Steel Algoma
  • Ford Motor Company – Material Flow Engineering
  • GE Engine Services
  • Graybar Electric
  • Halliburton
  • Honeywell – Technology Solutions Inc.
  • Hydro Automotive Structures
  • Interface Innovations
  • Johnson Controls
  • JR Automation
  • Kawasaki Robotics (USA), Inc.
  • Marathon Petro
  • Moran Iron Works
  • Reptron Mfg. Services
  • Robotek Contracting & Consulting
  • SCA Schucker
  • Schlumberger
  • Stryker
  • The Little Tikes Company
  • Walbro Engine Management

Facilities

Students begin working with 3-dimensional computer-aided design software (CAD) in their first semester. Later in the curriculum they will use the software for computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and animation.

The Manufacturing Processes Laboratory has facilities where students learn to create mechanical parts, processes for production planning and fabrication (below).

Manufacturing Processes Laboratory

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, degree program is accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 – telephone: (410) 347-7700.

Career Choices

Recent graduates of the Manufacturing Engineering Technology program have worked for Gentex, Precision Edge, Applied Manufacturing Technologies, JR Automation, and Michigan Rod, to name a few.

Technical Areas

  • Computer Aided Design (CAD)
  • Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
  • Industrial Automation
  • Manufacturing
  • Packaging
  • Robotics

Industries

  • Aerospace
  • Automotive
  • Chemical
  • Defense Contractors
  • Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC)
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical
  • Renewable Energy
  • Transportation