Software will allow easy manufacturing process for programs

College of Technology students now have state-of-the-art technology at their hands thanks to a recent $13.5 million software gift, the largest in university history.

The college received the gift in December from Texas-based company Appropriate Technology. The software is part of the Siemens Product Lifecycle Management software bundle called NX.

Verna Fitzsimmons, interim dean of the College of Technology, explains in layman’s terms that this software allows a number of different programs to communicate with each other, allowing an entire manufacturing process to move along smoother and quicker than before.

Fitzsimmons also said “this is the next step forward” for technology students and will help prepare them for careers after college education.

“This software will provide graduates with the opportunity to learn, experience and master one of the best suites of business and manufacturing software available today. This provides our graduates with highly marketable talents,” Fitzsimmons said.

Technology professor Michael Dragomier is one of the faculty members who uses the new software in the classroom.

Dragomier said this new software allows users to do “everything from initial design and styling to efficient manufacturing process.”

The new software makes the entire manufacturing process easier and quicker, Dragomier said.

“The big advantage to the software,” Dragomier said, “is the simulation and verification capabilities of the software. The process of going from idea to finished product (computer-aided design, engineering and marketing) allow you to verify everything you are doing digitally before you commit to making the physical product.”

Technology students will be able to use this new software for their day-to-day classwork. Dragomier said students will be able to “do human modeling, posture prediction, thermal situations, flow situation, electronic systems (and) cooling simulations, among other things.”

Contact technology reporter Adam McParlane at [email protected].