The Center for Excellence in Manufacturing Engineering (CEME) is funded by a 2017 Appalachian Regional Commission grant. In addition to workforce training and degree programs, the center serves as a research and development arm for local industry with collaborative robotics as its focus. This technology seeks to eliminate the cost and inefficiencies of traditional robotic applications by using advanced redundant presence sensing systems to allow humans and robots to work side-by-side without compromising worker safety.
By supplying a pool of highly qualified workers, the CEME helps companies to innovate, create new product lines, streamline services, and strengthen the infrastructure of manufacturing in the southern part of West Virginia and the surrounding area as it repositions itself as a center of manufacturing excellence.
Services
Degree Programs
Associates/Bachelor’s
A core component of the CEME is its degree program at Bluefield State College. Students can earn both Associate and Bachelor degrees in mechanical, civil or electrical engineering with the opportunity to tearn a concentration in manufacturing. Students enjoy a strong return on investment at BSC as the coursework and lab skills translate into direct career gains.
Workforce Training
Lean manufacturing, solid modeling, project management, and general engineering topics.
The CEME has the specific intent to transition workers from mining sector jobs into manufacturing. Leveraging their skills & knowledge base, workers will build field-specific skills in a state-of-the-industry lab such that they will be highly marketable to emerging industries. These non-degree seeking students can complete courses in solid modeling, robotics, quality, project management and computer programming.
Industry Consulting
Streamline, optimize operations; lean manufacturing; transition to new manufacturing markets
Research
Collaborative robots
Equipment
Manufacturing – Mazak 5-axis center, Mazak turning center with live tooling, Omax waterjet, Protrak rapid prototype mills
Metrology – Faro arm computerized measuring device, Zeiss CMM
Robotics – Sawyer Rethink Robots, ABB colloborative robot, ABB industrial robots, 3-D printers, Composite 3-D printer.
Contact
The CEME is located at Bluefield State College, Bluefield, WV. For more information, contact Jeff McFadden, Executive Director, CEME and Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology 304-327-4128 jmcfadden@bluefieldstate.edu.