This laboratory backed by Siemens
and funding from the Trust, was completed in April 2006
and officially launched in May 2006. The Siemens Mechatronic
Laboratory is an extension of the Advanced Manufacturing
Technology Laboratory for Robotics and Mechatronics and
is designed as a world class Robotic and Mechatronics
Centre that stimulates innovation through the design,
development and prototyping of new products, and the development
and transfer of relevant skills to support the automotive
industry. The centre is a resource for the entrepreneur
and caters for human resource development through a variety
of short courses, from the entry level learner; to problem
solving at post-graduate level.
The new laboratory is also being used for simulation of
the automated manufacturing system, which allows for the
testing of current computer aided designs prior to manufacture.
This will provide the much needed enhancement of technology
transfer from higher education and industry to the small
and medium enterprise (SME) sector in the Eastern Cape
region.
GM South Africa assisted the NMMU with a R1 million
donation towards the establishment of this Mechatronics
Centre, where students will be trained to assemble and
maintain complex machinery, plant and systems in the
mechanical engineering sector. |