The operational status of a robotic arm that does precision welding for Tampa Armature Works is determined by the relationship between the voltage applied across the arm’s control circuit and the current that flows through that control circuit. One of the first operations the tech does is examine those two signals.

It is also very typical for this signal display to be shown as a two channel recording similar to the cartoon version shown below. It may also be the case, that the signals (one the voltage, the other the current) traced on the screen are not identified on the screen. However, the tech does know Ohm’s relationship between these two signals: The current response signal is equal to the applied voltage signal divided by the circuit impedance, and that impedance value is always greater than one.

The current signal is shown on Channel B? (Yes or No). Submit your answers at https://www.fl-ate.org/

When it comes to continuous improvement on an organizational scale there is no better model than the Malcolm Baldrige-style model for high-performing organizations. FLATE has adopted and is implementing this model, in the form of the Florida Governor’s Sterling criteria for managing and evaluating the Center. This is an innovative approach that differs from every other Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Center across the country.

The FLATE mission, focusing on meeting Florida manufacturers’ current and future needs for a capable and skilled workforce, mandates that the Center be effective. The mandate also comes from the National Science Foundation (NSF) grantor and all of FLATE’s stakeholders. What better way to satisfy the mandate than using the Florida Sterling management model, based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Criteria for Performance Excellence. This model focuses on helping companies answer three basic questions: What’s most important to accomplish; how do we know we’re being successful, and do we have systems in place to sustain us into the future?

This management and assessment system guides organizations to world-class performance and improvement. It is an acknowledged driver of effectiveness among manufacturers in Florida and across the nation. Florida manufacturers continue to use the Sterling model to improve performance to better serve their customers and markets. Since 1992, hundreds of Florida companies and organizations have used the Sterling model, and over 60 have received the Governor’s Sterling Award in recognition of high performance. Some of these include Honeywell Military Avionics Guidance & Navigation Operations in Clearwater, and Motorola iDEN Subscriber Supply Chain Operations in Plantation.

FLATE’s continued use of Sterling serves to enhance the Center’s understanding and its effectiveness in serving the needs of manufacturers in Florida. At the same time, FLATE gains the confidence of Florida manufacturers that it is different from other “government” organizations by holding itself to the same standards of high-performance as do for-profit companies.

Contributed by Phil Centonze,
External Evaluator for FLATE
Pos-Impact, Inc.

Florida ranks highest in the country in per capita residential electricity demand, and is a top consumer of petroleum-fired electricity in the nation. (Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration). The present scenario calls for immediate action, and legislators, educators and industry leaders are joining hands to design sustainable initiatives that support the 21st century energy age.

The Alternative Energy Systems Specialist college credit certificate, for example, is a new specialization that will be offered as part of the A.S./A.A.S degree in Engineering Technology at Brevard Community College in Fall 2010. The program is a direct response to a 2008 legislative action directing the Florida Energy Systems Consortium (FESC), and the State’s University and State College systems to conduct applied energy-related research, and develop specific technical education pathways that will allow Florida to meet its 2020 energy generation and demand criteria.

Course content is largely solar, and interwoven with laboratory work for hands-on experience. The program also provides supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed in occupations related to energy production, distribution and storage.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS                                     
1.Full time faculty in secondary or post-secondary public institutions who teach courses in the technologies above

2. Submit signed application for agreeing to participate in post conference surveys and curriculum development activities.

NOTE: Fellows are required to attend sessions both days and report on sessions attended (July 28-29). Transportation is not included. By accepting a FLATE Fellowship, the Fellow or Fellow’s institution agrees to pay for travel, any additional meals and incidentals associated with attending HI-TEC, and any additional lodging beyond the nights specified above.

APPLICATIONS

Complete and submit the application posted below, including a paragraph describing what you hope to gain by attending the HI-TEC conference and its related workshops. The application deadline is April 30, 2010. Applications are reviewed on a first come, first served basis. There are a limited number of fellowships available, so be sure to apply early!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Upon acceptance as a Fellow
1. Register for the conference with the registration code provided with your acceptance notification by May 20, 2010. No workshops or tour costs are covered by this fellowship.

2. Make your hotel reservations by May 20, 2010. If eligible for hotel rooms, FLATE will ONLY pay for Tuesday and Wednesday nights (7/27 and 7/28) on a master account. Any additional nights as well as incidentals are not covered.

3.Attend the entire two-day HI-TEC conference July 27-28 (all Fellows), arriving by 4:00 pm Tuesday.

4.Attend the Florida Welcome Session on Tuesday July 27 at 4:45-6:00 pm and bring materials for a table top display of your college’s technical programs inclusive of any listed on the first page. Leave materials for display during the open exhibit hours July 28-29. (Tables will be moved from the Welcome Session to the exhibit hall).

5.Complete all required conference and session evaluations for the conference and individual sessions.

6. Complete and return short surveys regarding potential usage of the HI-TEC materials after the conference and during the year,

7. Submit at least one classroom activity, lesson, or module created as a result of attending HI-TEC to FLATE for dissemination.

NOTE: Registrations or reservations altered by the Fellow or Fellow’s institution for which charges are incurred, will be the responsibility of the Fellow or Fellow’s institution. Hotel reservations are subject to the hotel cancellation policy. HI-TEC conference and preconference workshop registrations are subject to the HITEC cancellation policy.
 
HI-TEC is a national conference on advanced technical education where technical educators, counselors, industry professionals and technicians can update their knowledge and skills in the following technology areas: Advanced Manufacturing Technologies • Agricultural, Environmental & Energy Technologies •Biomanufacturing • Biotechnology • Chemical & Process Technologies • Engineering Technologies • Geospatial Technologies • Information, Communications, and Security Technologies • Learning and Evaluation • Micro- & Nanotechnologies.

Addtionally the event uniquely explores the convergence of scientific disciplines and technologies like:
• Geographic Information Systems and Agricultural Technology
• Information and Communications Technologies, Biotechnology, and Cybersecurity
• Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, and Telecommunications
• Microsystems, Nanotechnology, and Biotechnology

QUESTIONS?
Visit www.highimpact-tec.org for event information. For specific questions, contact Marilyn Barger, mbarger@hccfl.edu or 813.259.6578.

Application Form

To our FLATE Focus readers familiar with the NSF ATE program, what we do at FLATE is only “sort of” a mystery. To many of our educational, industrial, and governmental stakeholder who are individually involved with specific projects or activities within our 3 NSF-ATE mandates (outreach, curriculum, and professional development), there is always enthusiasm and energy contributed, but not necessarily comprehension of everything we do and how what they do contributes to our mission.

Confirmation of this general lack of clarity and confusion was revealed by results of the stakeholder survey administered last October. Survey results indicated many participants could not succinctly articulate what FLATE “does for a living”. We reviewed these results with two of our advisory boards and they also agreed with these findings. Thus, their encouragement coupled with our drive for continuous improvement and Sterling excellence has triggered this attempt to rectify this situation. This is bit of a challenge. We are many things to many people, but here goes an “all in one basket” summary.

Globally, FLATE, as well as all other NSF ATE funded centers and projects, has independent and interrelated efforts to enhance the “American Technician Workforce” in various advanced technologies. Generally, most projects and activities we undertake fall into one or more of these three categories:

1. outreach (e.g., student recruitment);
2. curriculum reform/development; and,
3. professional development.

NSF requires us to engage appropriate industry, education, governmental and workforce stakeholders in all of these efforts. Fiscally, FLATE represents more than a $5 million federal investment in Florida’s technical and STEM education system. Physically, we occupy 1500 square feet of office area on the HCC Brandon Campus as a non-academic college unit, and we have 6 full-time staff, 2 who are part-time and a number of contract workers.

Practically, FLATE has 4 goals which align with the 3 categories above. Each goal has a number of target objectives with associated measurements that tell us what to do and how to determine impact. Administratively, we use seven guiding principles to help us determine if a new project opportunity suggested by one of our stakeholders will help us meet one of our goals and call on one or more of our three functionally different advisory committees for advice and consent.

Well, the condensed view of FLATE sounds pretty dry! The next step is for us to stuff all of this prose into a nutshell. I’ll share some of those candidates with you next time. Now, check out the new specializations and certificates for the ET Degree, partner spotlights, and information on the upcoming 2010 HI-TEC conference. Finally, join the fun in voting for a solution for this month’s sTEm-at-work puzzle, and take a moment to fill out a brief survey on the FLATE Focus.

The Biomedical Quality Systems and Digital Design and Modeling certificate at St. Petersburg College (SPC) is a direct response to local industry needs, and establishes Florida’s efforts to redefine and diversify its economy. The Biomedical Quality Systems is a 24 credit hour specialty within the A.S degree in Engineering Technology. The program was developed for the Medical Device Industry Education Consortium Project under the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Consortium Program to meet critical industry-specific educational needs in quality assurance, and present the regulatory and quality standards that are required for the medical device industry.

Courses are FDA approved and include regulatory compliance in biomedical systems; risk management for biomedical product development and production; medical device design and manufacturing; quality audits for biomedical systems, and document and data management control. Other courses include concepts of lean and six sigma, and coaching self-directed work teams. Co-op work experience is also required for the specialty. Completion of the first five courses prepares students for the medical quality systems certificate which is a 15 credit hour certificate.

The Digital Design and Modeling certificate is another specialty that involves AutoCAD and SolidWorks. It is a 24-hour credit program that also falls under the ET degree. Students can take six classes in AutoCAD and SolidWorks along with a course in Lean Six Sigma, and couple that with CO-OP work experience. The certificate prepares students for entry-level positions that complement engineering activities of industry and consultants in planning, designing, and detailing. Curriculum frameworks were developed in Fall 2009, and received approval in Spring 2010.

The Biomedical Quality Systems and the Digital Design and Modeling program are part of the A.S. degree in engineering technology. The ET degree prepares students and incumbent workers for employment and/or additional training in the manufacturing, medical, electronics, aerospace, or other related industries. This degree is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of the four specializations in electronics, quality, digital design & modeling, and biomedical systems with one common core. Graduates can transfer to universities offering the B.S. degree in engineering technology.

For more information contact Brad Jenkins at (727) 341-4378, or visit https://www.spcollege.edu/clw/Build/index.htm

Watch this YouTube video on Florida as the new hub for life sciences, biomedical and biotechnology industries.

When it comes to defining high-tech, next generation manufacturing PGT Industries located in North Venice, FL stands far above the cut-off line. The company is one of the largest manufacturers of windows and doors in the nation for residential and commercial markets, and employs approximately 1300 employees at its manufacturing facilities in Florida and North Carolina.

Over a period of three decades, PGT has positioned itself as a premier company in manufacturing, and is a proud partner of the U.S. Department of Energy’s, Energy Start program. The technology is in the design. PGT’s products are environmentally friendly, define durability, and are energy efficient. For example, the Vinyl 2100 and PremierVue series are highly rated products that cater to “consumer demands for energy-efficiency” and are engineered for high durability and low maintenance. Whether it’s sustaining impact from wind or water damage, multi-family and high-rise dwellings, or commercial and residential properties, PGT’s products are recognized by the building industry as “the ideal choice providing innovative and flexible solutions.” These enhancements have not only enabled PGT to remain competitive locally but have enabled the company to expand and offer its products in new markets.

PGT also exercises a high degree of social responsibility. In February 2010, the company was honored with the World Vision Humanitarian Award for years of service and donations to families in need across the United States. PGT has also been one of FLATE’s strategic partners in facilitating the “Made in Florida” industry tours for the Sarasota and Manatee school districts. The tours have provided students with first-hand knowledge about high-tech manufacturing operations in modern manufacturing facilities. Since 2006, PGT has hosted seven industrial tours involving 170 students and teachers from five schools (Riverview High School, Braden River High School, Heron Creek Middle School and North Port High School). The company has also hosted tours for other schools, communities and manufacturing organizations in West Central Florida.

For more information on PGT visit www.pgtindustries.com. For information on the “Made in Florida” industry tours contact David Gula, FLATE outreach manager at 813.259.6581/gula@fl-ate.org.

As if last month’s mix-up between the globins was not enough of an annoyance, you just discovered results from the pre-film insurance company required stress test for these two superstars also needs to be labeled. Fortunately you did recall from your past studies, or perhaps an educated guess that the moose’s carbon dioxide production will have a bigger pH impact than that of the squirrel.

You have decided to indicate that curve (a) belongs to the moose. Of course the Insurance Company (Underwrite Your Animal Limited) will check these results with previous tests. Do you think UYAL will wonder about the moose’s stress test performance this time?

Submit your answers at https://www.fl-ate.org/

Dr. Marilyn Barger, executive director of FLATE-an NSF funded ATE Center of Excellence in Tampa, FL says the event will provide numerous opportunities for community college and technical school educators to capitalize on professional development opportunities. Educators can also take advantage of resources that are geared to “refine educational materials, collaborate ventures, and provide insights into emerging market trends that help develop/advance the technical workforce of the 21st century.”

For information on conference registrations, exhibit space, and sponsorship opportunities visit www.highimpact-tec.org, or contact Dr. Marilyn Barger at 813.259.6578/barger@fl-ate.org.

Conference Preview