In addition to cost, here are some things to consider when selecting a robot to support students’ coursework in industrial robotics:
- Maximizing lab space: Robotics equipment can easily take up valuable lab real estate. With limited space for equipment, it’s important to consider the size of the solution to maximize lab space while providing the greatest number of students with hands-on robotics time. Implementing a robot with an all-in-one design and built-in controller like the Epson T3 SCARA reduces space requirements, allowing for easy placement within our college’s lab and simplifying setup for our college lab technicians as the controller, amplifier and cabling are all housed in the T3’s base.
- Hands-on automation programming: Today’s industrial manufacturers must be software-savvy in order to operate robotics solutions. To ensure students are ahead of the curve, our curriculum requires students to understand and write a simple pick-and-place program. The T3 Education System offers students hands-on practice with the Epson RC+ Development Software, giving them the advantage to learn a program that can be applicable to many future automation jobs.
- Real life applications: In any course, real-world experience is invaluable. Providing students with a hands-on experience that is applicable in today’s business settings is much more valuable than only providing students with demonstrations or concepts. The T3 Education System is a fully functional robot that offers a built-in 3D Simulator, enabling students to practice real-world applications like programming work cells, uploading CAD models, testing different end-of-arm tools, or adding additional components in real time, such as a table, feeder, or guarding.
Achieving excellence through true partnership
It’s also important to find the right partners to identify and implement the right technology to support your goals and to provide support as needed with delivery and deployment. Even though the T3 Education System was implemented during the pandemic in 2020, CIMTEC, with Epson’s help, was able to remain flexible through delivery and startup and reliably follow up with us months after deployment. CIMTEC also provided curriculum training for instructors and ongoing service and support for the system.
Ready to join the automation workforce of tomorrow
Careful consideration of the issues above has given our college the ability to make hands-on training practical for a class of 20 students or more. The high-value T3 Education System checks all the boxes for the industrial robotics course on a technical level and enables us to implement multiple student groupings, accommodating lab time for each student. The system also provides options for the future to integrate machine vision, or imaging-based guidance for the robot.
With manufacturers updating their processes with equipment that requires skilled mechatronics technicians to operate and maintain, robotics courses will become more vital to training the workforce of tomorrow. By selecting the right technology, colleges can ensure their students will be well-trained and confident to take their place in an automated world.
Wesley Moore is the Department Head of Industrial Programs at Randolph Community College in North Carolina. With a background in factory automation, Moore is dedicated to learning and teaching about newly emerging electronic and robotic technologies including mechatronic disciplines.
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