Lake Superior State University Increases Use of Dassault Systèmes DELMIA software for Undergraduate Robotics Program

Nationally Accredited Engineering and Technology Curriculum Benefits from DELMIA Digital Manufacturing and Production Software

Auburn Hills, Mich., USA, March 27, 2009 -  Dassault Systèmes (DS) (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, today announced that Lake Superior State University (LSSU), Michigan’s public university with a nationally recognized engineering program, has selected DELMIA Robotics to support its $1 million Robotics Lab and extend the multi-year relationship between the university and Dassault Systèmes. 

LSSU is unique because it is one of only two public universities in the United States with a designated robotics specialization in its curriculum at the undergraduate level, a differentiator that drives a nearly 100 percent placement rate for LSSU engineering graduates.  The university’s reputation as a leader in integrating robotics into its computer, electrical and mechanical engineering programs demonstrates its commitment to hands-on specialization that provides students with a strong background in robotics applications, robotics system design and integration, machine vision, sensors, communications, manufacturing simulation, and automation.

Since 2003, the university has leveraged Dassault Systèmes DELMIA solutions to drive this highly successful program.  Students participate in small class sizes complete with a state-of-the-art robotics lab equipped with 14 industrial robots, machine vision systems, and intelligent sensors. The LSSU engineering program’s success can in part be attributed to DELMIA, which creates digital manufacturing process environments on the desktop, such as those involving robotic productions systems, before moving to physical implementation.  Employers recognize the fact that LSSU engineering students have demonstrated aptitude with industry-standard applications and actively seek out graduates. 

“Leading companies from the robotics, advanced manufacturing and automation industries are recruiting our students due to the specialized skills and experience they have gained from simulating digital manufacturing environments in DELMIA,” said Jim Devaprasad, professor,  Department of Engineering and Technology, Lake Superior State University.  “DELMIA allows us to go far beyond the theoretical and helps students simulate and run multiple scenarios, just as they would in an industry production environment.  That practical experience is one of the key differentiators we offer, and is borne out by our demonstrated success.”

DELMIA is specifically designed to provide users with a digital manufacturing process environment that optimizes production systems, ahead of physical implementation. 

“DELMIA is pleased to be involved, starting in 2003, with one of the premier robotics technology educational programs in the country,” said Roy Smolky, worldwide academic sales operations, DELMIA, Dassault Systèmes. “By making our software available to academia, we also learn from them ways to further refine our solutions for the next generation of innovators in this field.”