POWERGRAMS

22 transferred to the next cell to print a 3-D copy. The center's two robots are each 3 feet tall with a reach of 35 inches and able to lift 13 pounds. "The experience students gain while designing and developing the robot cells cannot be simulated in a classroom," Marbut said. "These practical experiences help prepare students for their roles as engineers in manufacturing industries after graduation." One such industry is A&E Engineering in Pelham, a controls integration company providing process and factory automation using multiple technologies. The Alabama Power Robotics Education Center will have a "huge impact" on engineers entering the job market, predicted Ben Ledbetter, a project engineer at A&E. "The new robotics center will help A&E by providing the job market with candidates capable of working with multiple types of robots," Ledbetter said. "In the integration world, it is important to have a diverse knowledge of technologies so we are able to provide to a wider variety of customers. "More importantly, it will help the industry in the same way because companies can have diverse candidates available to them," Ledbetter said. "These practical experiences help prepare students for their roles as engineers in manufacturing industries after graduation." — Terry Marbut, director of the Applied Engineering Department, Jacksonville State University Jacksonville State student Austin Brown makes sure the Scorbot robotic arm picks up 3-D printer parts.

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