Gannon University has received an in-kind product lifecycle management software grant with an estimated commercial value of $373 million from Siemens, a global technology company. The grant will make it possible for Gannon engineering students to use the same technology in its classrooms that companies worldwide depend on to design some of today’s most sophisticated products.
With software playing an increasing role in the next era of manufacturing, this in-kind software grant – the largest in Gannon’s history – is intended to help prepare a highly-skilled STEM workforce for the advanced manufacturing industry. Gannon is also exploring how it can leverage the software grant to develop a retraining program that could provide both employed and unemployed workers with the skills they need to succeed in the digital factory of the future.
Product lifecycle management (PLM) software from Siemens enables global organizations to work as a single team to design, produce, and support products, while capturing best practices and lessons learned along the way. It empowers manufacturers to make unified, information-driven decisions at every stage in the product lifecycle.
At Gannon University, the PLM software will be an integral component of the industrial engineering program established in 2015, and other engineering programs. Students will implement course and capstone projects using the software suite. Additionally, the software will enable the students to create digital twins (simulated versions) of their final products as a more efficient alternative to creating a physical prototype.
“Digitalization is here – we see it every day in how we communicate, how we commute and how we do business, and it’s being embraced by manufacturers across the globe,” says Anne Cooney, president, Siemens Digital Factory Division, U.S., and Gannon University Class of 1991 alumna. “Siemens is committed to developing the workforce of the future and helping to close the skills gap, and I am very proud that we have partnered with Gannon to expand opportunities for new high-tech, digital and advanced-type of manufacturing jobs.” Cooney earned her B.S. Degree in industrial management from Gannon, and began her career as a machinist apprentice, leading to a 20+ year career in various manufacturing roles, including plant management, materials management, strategic sourcing and product and inventory management, in addition to serving as COO for Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics.
“Gannon University has always been a regional leader in educating the engineers who will build our future,” said Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D., Gannon University vice president for academic affairs. “As the manufacturing sector of the economy transforms, this generous grant will give our students an opportunity to develop the kind of software skills that will make them leaders in this transformation. We are grateful for the foresight shown by Siemens and for this partnership, which will open a world of possibilities for our students and for the economy.”
Students are expected to use Siemens’ PLM software annually for coursework and projects in Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, Robotics, Industrial Design, Work Design, Ergonomics, Material Science and Materials Processing courses and projects. Students will also use the applications for their capstone design projects. As additional faculty adopt and implement the software into their courses, the number of student users is expected to expand.
“With the fourth industrial revolution underway, a partnership between industry and academia is the best way to prepare a digital enterprise workforce ready for the future of manufacturing,” said Tony Hemmelgarn, president and chief executive officer, Siemens PLM Software. “Through our partnership with Gannon, Siemens PLM Software is committed to educating these workers with the new set of STEM skills that the next generation of products will require.”
Siemens’ PLM software helps manufacturers design, develop and manufacture some of the world’s most sophisticated products in a variety of industries including the aerospace and defense, industrial machinery and heavy equipment, shipbuilding, medical devices, electronics and semiconductor sectors. This in-kind grant of software includes:
• Teamcenter® portfolio, the world’s most widely used digital lifecycle management software
• Tecnomatix® portfolio, the industry-leading digital manufacturing software
• NX™ software, a leading integrated solution for computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE)
• Fibersim™ portfolio of software for composites engineering
• Simcenter™ portfolio, a mechatronic simulation software, testing systems and engineering services.
• The Kineo™ Kit Lab software, which will be used for teaching robot path planning and kinematics;
Siemens’ software is used by high-tech companies across Pennsylvania and more than 140,000 globally – helping engineers turn ideas into real products.
With approximately 3,000 employees working in Pennsylvania, Siemens has extensive footprint spanning its digital factory, building technologies, mobility, power generation services, and process industries & drive businesses.
For more information on Gannon University, please visit: http://www.gannon.edu/
