Equipment manufacturer developing university curriculum

Miller Fabrication Solutions, a heavy metal fabrication partner to global equipment manufacturers, has partnered with Clarion University to develop the university’s robotics programming curriculum.

Miller’s automation and robotics personnel made recommendations about the manufacturing application of robots and the programming languages used in automation.

The robotics programming concentration will be part of Clarion’s computer science and information systems degree programs. Five classes will comprise the concentration.

“Providing input into the robotics programming concentration ensures Clarion students can gain applied knowledge that boosts their chances of employment in the field after graduation,” Paul Sorek, Miller’s director of business processes, said. “Helping Clarion provide a particular set of skills we know we can use simultaneously prepares students for careers while building a potential pool of employees in the local area.”

Miller also plans to arrange student tours, make its facilities and equipment available for student use, and engage its own robot programmers in classroom instruction.

Partnering with Miller will help Clarion recruit students, Dr. Jeff Childs, Clarion Department of Computer Information Science chairman, said.

Childs and Miller became acquainted at the Pennsylvania Rural Robotics Initiative, an educational consortium of Western Pennsylvania K-12 schools.

The robotics programming courses will be available beginning in the academic year 2021/2022.