Eng-Technology-Facilities.Pdf
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Quick Navigation Department Facilities Multi-User Facilities Other Facilities Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution Department Departmental Facilities and Individual Faculty Research Laboratories: Additive Manufacturing Laboratory The Metal AM lab is equipped to generate 3D models, render machine build-code, manufacture metal AM parts, and recycle metal powder. The technology in use is Selective Laser Melting, where fine metal particles are melted and re-solidified together layer by layer. This process opens new opportunities for research and production of novel designs. Global Supply Chain Laboratory (GSCL) The GSCL is the Texas A&M Industrial Distribution Program laboratory utilized to educate our students, create cutting edge solutions for wholesale and industrial distribution channels, and provide answers to Distribution and Supply Chain Management (SCM) challenges. The lab conducts research projects to solve distribution industry problems. Projects areas include inventory classification (ABC stratification), forecasting, purchasing planning, distribution network optimization (asset management), logistics planning, distribution channel analysis, application of performance metrics, Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) process and functionality improvements, etc. The lab also assists distributors and manufacturers with technology implementation, process automation and training to better manage their assets and increase profitability. The Global Supply Chain Laboratory also offers education and training to industrial distributors and manufacturers. The educational programs are research based, innovative, proven, and cutting edge methods developed within Texas A&M's Industrial Distribution Program. Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology Program Research Facilities The Manufacturing & Mechanical Engineering Technology program has an active research program that spans from theoretical work, industrial applications, and education in areas that pertain to manufacturing processes and systems: • Automation including robotics, system integration, and smart design of reconfigurable manufacturing systems • Manufacturing processes and materials including micro/nano manufacturing technologies for robust, three-dimensional MEMS, materials joining, and the development of novel manufacturing processes. • Manufacturing systems including performance assessment and optimization, quality assurance, and capacity management. • Applied mechanics including the modeling of novel materials processing technologies, and the modeling of forming polymer coated materials and thin-film coated polymers. • Thermal sciences including the physical characterization of nano-particles for heat transfer applications, energy conservation, renewable energy, and fuel cells. • Educational research including K-12 outreach models, web-based teaching and learning, and curriculum globalization. Manufacturing, Geo, and Biomimetic-Tribology Lab Director: Dr. Mathew Kuttolamadom The overarching research focus of our group is on elucidating the fundamental nature of friction and wear in harsh synthetic tribosystems in order to manipulate their various evolving facets to our advantage by mapping the surface tribological and sub-surface structural responses, and on the forensic metrology of such surface/sub-surface damage. Application areas span a variety of material-system surfaces and interfaces that involve contact/shear in the manufacturing, automotive, aerospace and energy industries, as well as in bit-rock interaction studies for O&G exploration and production. Micro/Nano Manufacturing Laboratory Director: Dr. Wayne Nguyen P. Hung Facilities include micromachining systems using traditional techniques (milling, drilling) and non-traditional techniques (electrochemical, electrical discharge, laser), white light interferometer, laser scanner, 3D measuring microscope, form and surface measuring systems. Mobile Integrated Solutions Laboratory Director: Dr. Joseph Morgan Mobile Integrated Solutions Laboratory (MISL) is an applied research facility that is housed in the Electronic Systems Engineering Technology Program at Texas A&M University. The lab supports undergraduate experiential learning opportunities beyond the classroom and educational laboratory and is focused on design and development of space-based products and systems and in ground-based robotics for research, education and STEM outreach. Product Innovation Center In January 2013, the electronic systems engineering technology (ESET) program opened the Product Innovation Center (PIC) in the basement of Thompson Hall. The 3,400 square foot facility boasts an open area workspace that encourages conversations and interactions between teams and faculty; an electronic fabrication lab for production and testing; a mechanical fabrication lab equipped with a 3D printer, a computer numerical control (CNC) machine; a parts store; a design lab; and an industry collaboration meeting room complete with a SMART Board and video conference capabilities where students can interact with their industry partners. RFID/Sensor Lab Contact: Dr. Ben Zoghi The Purpose of the RFID/Sensor Lab is to design systems and sensor networks integrating remote sensors (Environmental, Security and Tracking, Biomedical, Asset and People location, Process Control Automation and Structure) monitoring, RFID, GPS, and wireless technology. The RFID/Sensor Lab securely links the physical plant and its operational environment to the information technology and business environment allowing customers to dynamically aggregate, analyze and act upon data and adjust operations in response to changes in their business environment. The main purpose of the lab is to design systems that will utilize the integration of remote sensors, RFID, GPS and wireless technology for Environmental, Security and Tracking, Biomedical, Asset and People Location, Process Control Automation and Structural monitoring. Rockwell Automation Laboratory Director: Dr. Sheng-Jen (“Tony”) Hsieh The Rockwell Automation Laboratory was established by a generous gift from Rockwell Automation, Inc. ETID faculty members involved included Richard Alexander, Dan Jennings, John Mayer, Jr., Sheng-Jen ("Tony") Hsieh (Technical Director) and Barry Lawrence. The lab consists of a main laboratory and a system integration laboratory. Students learn basic (component-level) knowledge and skills in the main laboratory, then develop integrated (system- level) knowledge by working in the system integration laboratory. The main laboratory contains 13 workstations, each equipped with ControlLogix programmable logic controller, PanelView Operator terminal, PowerFlex motor motion control unit and various analog/digital and input/output devices, such as push buttons and switches. The workstations are networked using EtherNet and ControlNet networks, allowing data to be shared throughout the network. The system integration laboratory also houses a Festo modular and configurable production system (MPS) consisting of nine workstations. Each workstation has a different function, such as material handling, pressing, and testing. In the near future, a vision system will be incorporated into the MPS for inspection purposes. The MPS will also be equipped with smart sensors from Allen Bradley to form a DeviceNetwork to allow diagnosis of failures at the component level. Thomas and Joan Read Center for Distribution Research and Education This center applies both advanced research skills and a thorough understanding of distribution to every project. Our experts, who merge long standing industry experience with the latest developments in academia, conduct both primary and secondary research for manufacturers, distributors, professional associations and publications. Our expertise lies in the following major areas with in the field of Industrial Distribution. • Distributor Quality • Sales / Marketing • Executive Leadership • Strategy / Relationships • Profitability / Purchasing • Supply Chain Management • Transportation / Logistics • ERP / CRM / IT / E-business Virtual Instrumentation and Mixed Signal Test Lab Contact: Dr. Rainer Fink The Virtual Instrumentation and Mixed Signal Test Lab was established within the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution to support the development of computer- based instrumentation solutions for real world test and measurement problems. The lab is currently working on applications in a variety of areas including medical imaging, mixed signal integrated circuit testing, and law enforcement. Computer-Integrated Manufacturing Laboratory The TAMCAM lab focuses on research involving the design, analysis, and implementation of manufacturing systems. As such, lab staff members work on research projects involving the planning, scheduling, and control of advanced manufacturing systems. DXP Pump Laboratory The DXP Pump Lab at Texas A&M offers three different courses over pump mechanics and designs. The courses cover Basic designs, Fluid Transfer Theory, system interventions, Affinity Laws, and advanced topic specific areas of performance. Embedded Systems and Codesign Laboratory As the world of engineering advances, the complexity demands of both hardware and software grow at a phenomenal rate. The trade-offs between hardware and software within a system are at the forefront of this complexity and demand attention into themselves. Hardware software codesign is the study of how to make these tradeoffs and meet system constraints. This lab focuses on Data