May 1, 1996
RELEASE #19960501a
CONTACT: Fred Z. Sitkins, Voice: 269.337.7650, Fax: 269.345-4393
During the recent "Motion
Expo," held April 23-25 in Chicago, The American Institute of Motion Engineers' (AiME) Board of Directors authorized support of a multi disciplinary motion control curriculum development project. The project is being coordinated by Professor Frederick Z. Sitkins from the Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Motion Control professionals have long recognized the need for formal motion control curricula at all post secondary levels. Although AiME is able to identify fringe programs such as Robotics, Mechatronics, Electromechanical and Electro-Fluidic programs, they are unable to identify any motion control curricula at the post secondary level in the United States. Research already conducted finds a handful of offshore motion control programs.
Professor Sitkins intends to devote the next 16 months to identifying the educational needs and levels at which motion control should be taught as a stand alone curriculum. The intent is that the resulting recommended programs would meet recognized accreditation standards such as those required by ABET (The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). The curriculum project committee currently includes several AiME board members, the AiME conference program advisory
committee, and selected certified motion control specialists. Professor Sitkins is actively seeking other motion control professionals and educators to serve in an advisory and data gathering capacity. Anyone interested may contact him at:
Program descriptions and recommended course outlines will be made available to participating individuals and institutions at no cost upon completion of the project. Others will be able to receive the materials for a
nominal fee which will cover the costs of distribution. AiME is a member organization providing motion control practitioners with educational and professional certification through conference programs held in various locations throughout the United States. |
