Midlands Technical College Builds $11 Million Technology Center

Initial Focus is Helping South Carolina's Metalworking Manufacturers

One of SCMEP's partners--Midlands Technical College--has just begun operation of the advanced manufacturing wing of its new 50,000-square-foot technology center in northeast Columbia adjacent to the Carolina Research Park. The new facility is called the Center of Excellence for Technology and includes space for both advanced manufacturing and information technology training. The Center has been designated a Haas Technical Center, one of 30 Haas centers nationwide and the first one in South Carolina. The Haas Center is part of efforts by Haas Automation, Inc. (Oxford, CA), the largest manufacturer of computer numeric-controlled (CNC) machine tools in the United States, to provide students with hands-on technical education in metalworking professions. According to Dr. Barry Russell, president of Midlands Technical College, this is one of the largest investments Haas has ever made in a technical center environment and equates to $500,000 worth of CNC equipment.

The advanced manufacturing facility also contains other equipment from various original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including manual machinery. Russell says a wide range of equipment is necessary to properly train potential employees for all types and sizes of metalworking manufacturing facilities. But all of the CNC, milling and turning equipment is on consignment from Haas. "Haas always ensures we have the latest, state-of-the-art equipment," says Russell. The equipment is available for employer-based training and prototyping/process development by small, start-up manufacturers in South Carolina.

In response to the region's critical need for employees skilled in the advanced techniques necessary for computer-based machining, the manufacturing education wing was completed ahead of the rest of the facility, which will also house information technology (IT) classrooms and a large auditorium/lecture complex with 10 smaller classrooms. Half of the classrooms will be set up as computer labs, with the remainder--including an executive conference room and "cyber lounge"--available for customized corporate training classes or board meetings. Along with extensive multimedia capabilities in the facility's meeting rooms, Midlands Tech will also offer videoconferencing equipment for use by manufacturers and other corporations. In addition, the three-story lobby will showcase artwork created by South Carolina artists specifically for the facility.

Metalworking training is the initial focus of the advanced manufacturing wing, but MTC has designed flexibility into the shop floor to allow it to diversify or broaden depending on what the state's manufacturing needs are. Equipment can be easily moved or added as needed for specific training classes. "From the beginning, this was one of the major challenges we gave to the architect...to design this facility to be as flexible as possible," says Russell. "As needs change, we want to be able to change as well."

Siemens Diesel Systems Technology is the Center's first client, beginning pre-employment training classes in early September in one of the Center's high-tech multimedia classrooms.

What makes the facility advanced manufacturing? All of the CNC machines have computers sitting next to them, ready to be programmed to complete a job. And every machine in the advanced manufacturing wing is networked together - the data drops feeding into each machine make it truly an advanced form of manufacturing.

"When we're talking about a knowledge economy and high-tech, it's really all about how you apply information technology to the manufacturing process," says Van Gunter, vice president for economic development and continuing education at Midlands Tech. "And that's what we are able to demonstrate with this new facility."

Also of interest to manufacturers is the new metrology laboratory, with the capability of measuring down to the micron level. The lab is climate controlled, with its own separate air conditioning/heating system, and contains specialized glass in the windows and doors to ensure a perfectly airtight fit.

SCMEP's Role in the Project

"SCMEP is helping Midlands Tech validate the fact that we are matching up with the real needs of the state," says Russell. "And most recently this summer, SCMEP staff has been providing consulting and facilitation support to ensure an orchestrated planning of how we actually get all this equipment moved in and online in as cost-effective and efficient way possible.

"SCMEP has also been helping in seeking out partnerships. We realize we've had wonderful funding partners in the state and local counties to build the facility, but as we move forward in maintaining this cutting-edge, state-of-the-art environment, it's going to take some creative partnerships with equipment suppliers." Midlands Tech will be working with suppliers and OEMs, such as Haas, to upgrade equipment on a regular basis as it becomes outdated.

In addition to assistance on these initiatives, SCMEP will also have a manufacturing specialist--Barry Burns--on site at the new complex to assist the state's small metalworking manufacturers. South Carolina manufacturers can contact Burns at barryburns@scmep.org or by calling 803-732-5345.

The State of Advanced Manufacturing

• In 2001, manufacturing industries provided 19% of all jobs in South Carolina. One of every five South Carolina citizens is employed in manufacturing.
• Manufacturing accounts for 93% of international investment in South Carolina.
• In the last 10 years, new or expanded manufacturing facilities in the state resulted in capital investments of $25.1 billion and created nearly 153,000 new jobs.

Sources: The National Association of Manufacturers, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the S.C. Department of Commerce.