Student Simulation Projects Provide Real World Solutions

The long-standing academic partnership program between Ohio Northern University’s Department of Technological Studies and Dassault Systemes, a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) applications, is yielding positive results for both the students and private industry as students convert their classroom teaching to real-world applications.

Manufacturing Technology students receive instruction in manufacturing and simulation using the DELMIA Human, Robotics, DPM Assembly, and QUEST software as well as CATIA.

“Our students have the opportunity to learn these leading edge advanced digital manufacturing software applications, which has provided them with a significant advantage in their career placement,” said Paul Nutter, associate professor of technological studies. “Recent graduates have been hired by companies such as KTH Parts Industries, OEMs from the aerospace and automotive industries, plus many of their tier-one suppliers.”

Key to the program’s success is the OEM and supplier projects assigned to student teams, providing them a chance to see how digital technologies can impact real-world manufacturing.

A recent project for auto supplier KTH required students to assess a robotic welding cell featuring two robots and a two-position turntable. To meet new production requirements, the current cycle time had to be reduced by at least 20 percent. After reviewing the equipment and current process, the student team developed a solution to reduce the cycle time from 28.5 seconds to 21.5 seconds through re-distribution of the weld tasks and the addition of a third robot. Receiving the weld line layout from KTH, students created the workcell in DELMIA Robotics where they were able to create, simulate and verify their findings within five weeks of project start.

Due to software licensing restrictions, private companies cannot directly import the data created by the students. However, companies may use the knowledge gained to apply to their own solutions. In the case of the KTH welding cell, the student outcomes verified KTH’s own project direction prompting the company to implement the solution, successfully resulting in zero overtime requirements as production throughput increased.

“This partnership not only allows KTH to help students apply their knowledge to the understanding of manufacturing, but also provides us a great opportunity to hire these technically proficient engineers, positively impacting our company performance,” said Kevin Casanova, KTH Parts Industries Manager of Engineering. “These types of programs are critical for us to maintain a competitive edge.”