Stäubli Corp. donates robot to CU-ICAR
February 7, 2011
CLEMSON, SC – February 3, 2011 – Students in Clemson University’s automotive engineering program will get hands-on experience in robotic manufacturing thanks to a new robot from Stäubli Corp. The robot, valued at $45,000, is housed at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) in Greenville where it will be used for teaching and research.
The robot will enable students to develop and test control schemes that could be used on automotive production lines, said Mohammed Omar, coordinator of the automotive engineering graduate program.
The robot also can be used to research other industrial applications, such as new paint-curing systems, he said.
“Corporate partners such as Stäubli have been essential in enriching our program from the educational and research sides and they sponsor fellowship programs and industrial internships for our graduate students,” Omar said. “Additionally, equipment donations and technical support strengthen our research and hands-on offerings. Our students can apply what they learn in manufacturing classes to program industrial-grade robotics to perform complex tasks with precision. That adds to the unique skill set that helps distinguish our students and advance their careers, not only in using current technology but also in developing new techniques.”
Stäubli Corporation considers CU-ICAR an innovative program that will address and strengthen technologies for the future,” said Joe Gemma, Stäubli Robotics Division manager. “The program has highly qualified and educated individuals who will utilize tools available to them to mold tomorrow’s technology leaders. Stäubli is proud to provide our state-of-the-art robots for these endeavors and other collaboration activities to reinforce our relationship between our organizations and solidify the ongoing commitment to advancing technologies.”
This gift is part of The Will to Lead capital campaign, a multiyear effort to raise at least $600 million to support Clemson University students and faculty
Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research
The Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research is an advanced-technology research campus where academia, industry and government organizations engage in synergistic collaboration. Launched in 2003 and opened in 2006, the 250-acre research campus off Interstate 85 in Greenville has generated more than $233 million in funding commitments. The heart of the campus is the Carroll A. Campbell Graduate Engineering Center, which houses research and education activities as well as full-scale testing facilities. The Campbell Center is home to four of the largest endowed chairs in the country funded by BMW, Michelin, The Timken Co. and the State of South Carolina.
About Stäubli
Stäubli is a mechatronics-solution provider with three dedicated divisions: textile machinery, connectors and robotics. With a work force of 3,600, Stäubli has a presence in 24 countries and agents in 50 countries around the world with its North American headquarters in Duncan. Visit http://www.staubli.com for more information on the company and its products.
