Mechatronics Students Attend National Convention

Eleven students and four faculty members from the Mechatronics Technology program attended the Manufacturing in America 2019 national convention in Detroit, MI, March 20-21. The Manufacturing in America event is a professional convention for engineers, technicians, automation vendors, students, and others in the manufacturing industry to learn about the latest technologies and plan for the future of manufacturing.

The students were able to see demonstrations of cutting-edge technology and have hands-on experiences with new devices and products from industry-leading manufacturing companies like Siemens. They learned about product integrations across industries and attended educational seminars on safety, technological applications of products, and more. SUNY Delhi had a booth in the education zone of the show, the only college in New York State to be represented. The students took turns staffing the table and gave examples of projects they are working on in class. They showcased some of their automation gear and engaged with the manufacturing professionals one-on-one.

This opportunity was so meaningful for students because, as Mechatronics majors, they are learning to not only understand or design complex systems (like manufacturing technologies), but also to learn the hands-on applications of building, maintaining, and improving those systems. "This sets SUNY Delhi students apart. We are the only ones doing this type of hands-on training combined with the theoretical background knowledge, preparing students to enter the industry at the technologist level," says Assistant Professor Will Warner.

Read more about their experience in Detroit.

SUNY Delhi's Mechatronics Design associate degree program was the first of its kind in New York State, and the Mechatronics Technology bachelor degree was the first of its kind in the country. Delhi is the only college to have three curricula nationally certified through the American Design Drafting Association. Graduates are prepared to step directly into high-paying jobs working on automated systems and intelligent equipment in manufacturing, food processing, pharmaceutical production, power generation and distribution, mining, and other applications.