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Cleveland State University Empowers Future Manufacturers with VKS
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
- Sensors - Temperature Sensors
Applicable Industries
- Education
- Equipment & Machinery
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
Use Cases
- Additive Manufacturing
- Manufacturing System Automation
Services
- Hardware Design & Engineering Services
- Training
The Challenge
The manufacturing sector is facing a significant skills gap, with an expected 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030, costing trillions for the US alone. To address this, manufacturing companies are adopting smart manufacturing tools and work instruction software. However, the challenge extends beyond the industry to educational institutions, which need to prepare the next generation of workers for the modern manufacturing environment. Cleveland State University (CSU) is one such institution, aiming to train its engineering students on smart manufacturing tools and their applications. The challenge is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of product design and manufacturing system design, and to prepare them to close the skills gap in their future companies.
About The Customer
Cleveland State University (CSU) is a public research institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. It offers a wide range of academic programs and degrees, including engineering. CSU is committed to providing a high-quality education that prepares students for the demands of the modern workforce. In the context of this case study, CSU is particularly focused on training its mechanical engineering students in the use of smart manufacturing tools and their applications. The university is using VKS digital work instructions to expose students to the realities of the current manufacturing and engineering environment, and to prepare them to close the skills gap in their future companies.
The Solution
CSU, under the guidance of Dr. Saeed Farahani, Assistant Professor of Engineering, is using VKS digital work instructions to expose students to the realities of the current manufacturing and engineering environment. Students are given projects where they have to prepare a VKS Guidebook for a product of their choosing, helping them understand product design and assembly. They are also taught to consider how VKS work instruction software can be used to enhance manufacturing operations. The software helps companies quickly train inexperienced employees, enabling every worker to perform multiple tasks and responsibilities. Beyond the classroom, CSU plans to use VKS in its research facility to improve how experiments and tests are performed, and to maintain standardized operating procedures despite the high turnover of students.
Operational Impact
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