Lab technician Terry Crust, right, demonstrates a mini computer integrated
manufacturing cell
to first-year students in the Discover Industrial Engineering freshmen seminar
recently held
on the University Park campus. The machine, also called a mini cell, illustrates
the concept of
integrated manufacturing on a smaller scale.
Photo: Greg Grieco
Pennsylvania College of Technology will have additional roads
to explore thanks to a new automotive training facility. Among the unique
options available to students at the new Advanced Automotive Technology
Center will be alternative fuel vehicle instruction, motorsports courses
and state emission certification.
"The center provides us lab space to expand our baccalaureate degree programming and it allows us the opportunity to explore such areas as alternative fuel vehicles, including compressed natural gas and electric vehicles," said Colin W. Williamson, dean of the School of Transportation Technology. "It gives us a site for emission testing certification and a home for motorsports, including dedicated space to build race car chassis."
The center features a dedicated engine dynamometer testing cell, two chassis dynamometers (capable of 200-horsepower at the rear axles and speeds of up to 100 mph) to support emission and performance testing, a technology-enhanced classroom and an individualized computer lab.
Students enrolled in the college's automotive technology management B.S. degree major have the opportunity to develop their senior "capstone" projects at the facility. The alternative fuel vehicle component of the center will support a new course within the bachelor degree. Pennsylvania State Emission Certification already has become a required course for most of the college's automotive curricula and the center also supports Penn College's automotive training efforts for professionals already in the field.
The college will open a new, nine-credit competency credential in motorsports service technician in fall 1999. The unique series of courses, providing training in parts, systems and techniques used for race car service and construction, will prepare individuals for entry-level employment as a service technician in the motorsports field. The credential will be offered solely to experienced, certified automotive technicians or full-time students enrolled in automotive majors at the college.
The center's 7,600 square-foot building, situated on a two-acre site, was purchased from Envirotest Inc. last year. The facility was originally built by Envirotest for state emission testing, but never became fully operational. Over the past year, the college enhanced the site, creating the center.