A new $3 million advanced manufacturing lab will feature a variety of cutting-edge technologies provided by Rockwell Automation, designed to train students in advanced fields such as robotics, CNC machining, machine vision, and automated logistics and storage. Isaac Roach, Chief Operating Officer at Applied Robotics, emphasized the company’s long-standing 30-year partnership with Rockwell as a key factor in choosing them for this project. “Rockwell’s expertise allowed us to source IoT, MES, PLCs, and digital twin visualization from one supplier,” Roach explained.
One of the main attractions of the lab will be the integration of Rockwell’s Emulate3D software, a digital twin platform that allows students to visualize and test plant operations in a simulated environment. This provides an opportunity to refine designs without the risks and costs associated with physical prototypes, giving students hands-on experience that replicates real-life factory scenarios.
Additionally, the lab will include Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) from OTTO Motors, which were added to Rockwell’s portfolio after its acquisition of Clearpath Robotics. Roach noted that the inclusion of AMRs ensures students are exposed to state-of-the-art automation technology, crucial for enhancing productivity in modern manufacturing.
The facility will also feature a custom-programmable logic controller (PLC) system tailored specifically for educational purposes, allowing students to develop and test programming skills with the ability to reset the system easily if necessary. Anthony Wong, Regional Director at Rockwell Automation South Pacific, said, “It’s vital to nurture the next generation of manufacturing talent, and advanced labs like this are key to developing Australia’s future innovators.”
Applied Robotics plans to continue its collaboration with Rockwell by expanding similar educational labs across Australia, and several institutions have already shown interest in adopting the lab’s setup.
Discover top supply chain news stories at The Supply Chain Report. For international trade resources, head to ADAMftd.com.
#AdvancedManufacturing #RoboticsTraining #IndustrialAutomation #InnovationInEducation #TechnologyInManufacturing
