OPEN HOUSE FEATURES UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY

Southeast Missouri State University's industrial technology department is working to meet the demands of a changing economy.

From robots, machine tools, machine vision systems and programmable controllers to personal computers, bar code technology, conveyer systems and computer aided drafting and design, Southeast is preparing its industrial technology students for the wave of the future.

The department is one of several areas to be featured Sunday at a university open house sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's University Relations Committee.

The event, scheduled for 1:30 to 4 p.m., will be a walking tour, with special highlights along the route. University faculty and staff will make brief presentations in designated academic departments, and displays and exhibits will offer an inside look at student organizations and activities.

"We're very excited about the opportunity to show off our facilities to people in the community," said Timothy Miller, assistant professor of industrial technology.

Visitors to the industrial technology department will receive a tour of the computer-integrated, manufacturing laboratory, under the direction of Ted Loso, instructor of industrial technology.

Computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) is a management philosophy and concept that ties together all elements of a company for the purpose of automating the entire manufacturing process from order entry to final product testing and storage, Loso said. By using computers, software, and communication networks, engineering, marketing, finance and production operations are linked together to share data and integrate all related functions.

The major benefits of CIM are lower product cost, increased productivity and higher quality. CIM allows U.S. companies to again compete in many markets that before were economically untouchable, Loso said.

"Computer integrated manufacturing is changing the way products are designed and made in the United States," Loso said.

"After years of procrastination and other delays, manufacturers are discovering the benefits of automation in manufacturing. By adopting CIM, U.S. companies are again becoming competitive in world markets," he said.

In Southeast's laboratory, visitors will see several pieces of equipment, including an articulated robot, Scara robot, a milling machine center, and a computer controlled turning center.

The articulated robot is used in Chrysler and General Motors plants and is used for assembly and welding operations. The Scara robot is used for surface, mount-type technology, such as assembly of Apple Macintosh computers. The milling machine center is used for milling and drilling operations. The turning center is used to make a variety of cylindrical-type parts.

Also, in the technology department, Michael Coffman, instructor, and Nancy Vandemark, a senior electronics major, will direct tours of an electronics technology area. Pieces of electronic test equipment will be running, and visitors may view a programmable logic controller and general purpose, analogue, microprocessor and digital electronic equipment. Demonstrations also will be offered on software packages used for drafting and simulation as they relate to electronics.

The department's computer-aided drafting and design facility also will be open to the public. Miller will lead this tour and demonstrate the AutoCad software program. now the computer-aided, drafting and design industry standard.

"Our students are doing state-of-the-art work in this facility," Miller said.