A new state-of-the-art mobile hydraulics lab opened this week at the Greenville Technical College Buck Mickel Center as part of the new Center for Manufacturing Innovation (CMI), otherwise known as the Enterprise Campus.
Bosch Rexroth donated more than $420,000 worth of training equipment for the lab. The donation was announced in March along with the company’s $80 million expansion plans of the Bosch Rexroth Fountain Inn facility.
“It’s a model partnership for all involved and a win-win-win for everyone,” said Les Gardner, director of development for the Greenville Tech Foundation.
The lab will be used for training Greenville Tech students along with Bosch Rexroth customers and associates. Equipment incorporated into the lab includes three DS4NA fluid power training systems, various on/off manual and mobile hydraulic component sets, and one drive pump trainer. Along with equipment, Bosch has supplied textbooks, online training and manuals for teachers and students.
“Greenville Tech is and has been a valuable partnership,” said Berend Bracht, president and CEO of Bosch Rexroth Americas. “They provide the curriculum and we provide the hands-on experience.”
The first classes are already scheduled for early 2014 and Bracht expects many of those graduates “to come work for us,” he said. “We’ll need capable associates for years to come.”
The CMI will feature an innovative learning environment for manufacturing and other new businesses. The program will continue to train students in high-tech manufacturing techniques, but will also be a unique venue that co-locates and shares space for industry to create prototypes and serve as a manufacturing accelerator where fledgling companies will have access to equipment.
