Pictured with the current Motoman and FANUC robots are (l to r): Tanner Cook, Levi Priest, and Noah Ryan, all juniors from Wayne Trace in the Vantage Industrial Mechanics program taught by Kevin Van Oss.
The Precision Machining, Electricity, and Industrial Mechanics programs at Vantage recently received the news that they were awarded an Ohio Straight A Grant for $500,000 through the Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Technology Education Collaborative (RAMTEC) which is housed at Tri-Rivers Career Center in Marion. These grant monies will be used to supplement the two programmable robots and one robotic welder currently at Vantage.
Included in the grant is money for both Motoman and FANUC industrial robots and simulators, CNC machines and certifications, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s), and hydraulic trainers. Along with the equipment come opportunities for students to get certifications in a variety of advanced manufacturing operations.
“This is an incredible opportunity for not only Vantage Career Center and its students, but also for the area business that rely on robotics in their facilities. This grant will allow us to stay current in the area of robotics and allow our students to be trained on state-of—the-art equipment,” stated Ted Verhoff, Trade and Industrial Supervisor.
The equipment and curriculum is expected to arrive in the next 6-7 months. “Vantage would like to thank General Motors Powertrain (Defiance) and B.K. Tool (Kalida) for their letters of support in order for us to receive the grant,” said Verhoff. “Students from Paulding, Wayne Trace, and Antwerp, as well as our other ten schools will be able to take advantage of this opportunity. Advanced manufacturing continues to thrive in our region and it is imperative that Vantage does its part in order to train our students not only for their chosen career field but also for the many colleges that offer degrees in the advanced manufacturing industry.”
If you would like any information on the RAMTEC implementation at Vantage, please contact Ted Verhoff at 1-800-686-3944 or 419-238-5411, ext. 2161.
