Scalable Smart Manufacturing Workforce Development Community Model with VR-Digital Twin Technologies
Project Lead: Amatrol
Partners: Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
Member % Cost Share: 52.45%
CESMII % Cost Share: 47.55%
Duration: 12 Months
Problem Statement
Shortage of incumbent and new workers skilled in Smart Manufacturing technologies due to:
- Lack of SM college programs and short-term SM courses/credentials for industry
- Lack of low-cost VR/Digital Twin teaching tools to make hands-on labs affordable
- Not enough teachers with skills to teach SM courses
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Project Goal
Create and demonstrate the effectiveness of a scalable community workforce development model, which includes flexible, low-cost teaching tools and assessments that can be implemented nationwide to expand SM training to meet industry needs.
Technical Approach
The project will meet its objectives by forming:
- SM Center at Texas A&M University to lead the development of the VR/ digital twin software and develop an instructor professional development academy
- Network of colleges and industry to develop SM courses/assessments (in collaboration with Amatrol staff), pilot the courses and teaching materials including the VR/Digital Twin software
- Amatrol development team to align online materials to SM courses and SACA credentials
Key Tasks & Milestones
- Milestone 1: SM Center, Network, & Development Teams formed, VR and Course Dev.-Initial Phase, (M3)
- Milestone 2: SM Equip. Commissioned, VR and Courses Completed, Instructor Training Designed (M6)
- Milestone 3: VR-Equipment Interface, Assessments, and Instructor Training Completed; Pilot Sch. (M9)
Potential Impact
- Significant increase in number of SM-trained U.S. workers, incumbent and new
- Highly effective SM training programs widely available in schools and industry in U.S.
- Ability to easily start new SM programs at low cost
Benefits
- Playbook that can be disseminated to members
- Model demonstration site in Texas
- Training programs aligned with CESMII curriculum framework
- Low-cost training tools for CESMII members
Project Selection & Announcements
