Kellogg Community College will be the first college in the nation to use collaborative robots as part of a system designed to train students how to operate specialized automated manufacturing processes.
Specifically, KCC will be incorporating the use of new FANUC CRX5iA Collaborative Robots – or “cobots” – with Allen-Bradley controllers from Rockwell Automation into new manufacturing training at the College’s Eastern Academic Center campus in Albion.
FANUC – which stands for Fuji Automatic Numerical Control – is an industry standard in automated manufacturing systems and robotics, and the CRX5iA is among the latest models of the company’s robotic arm solutions for education. The new cobots offer a simplified programming interface and enhanced sensitivity that make them safer to work with alongside human operators, with a drag-and-drop touchscreen interface specifically designed for operators with little to no robotics experience.
The cobots will be utilized as part of a larger “enterprise system” designed by technical education provider Amatrol that also includes a conveyor system, an autonomous mobile robot and a machining workstation to teach students how to work in and operate automated industrial manufacturing environments.
Geramy Detwiler, of ATS Midwest – Amatrol’s distributor in Michigan – worked closely with KCC to bring the system to the College. Detwiler called it “the first of its kind in the world,” a turnkey solution that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.
“Many programs teach manufacturing technologies as discrete topics, but with the Amatrol Enterprise learning system, Kellogg Community College students will develop both foundational knowledge and the ability to integrate these technologies – a critical skillset highly valued by today’s employers,” Detwiler said. “Being a fully-integrated system, students receive hands-on experience in troubleshooting, maintenance and operations – the same challenges they’ll face in today’s AI-driven, Industry 4.0 manufacturing environments.”
The new equipment – delivered to the EAC campus in February – comes to KCC as part of a $2.7 million Kellogg Advanced Manufacturing Industry 4.0 (KAMI 4.0) grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, awarded last fall. Programming is anticipated to begin this summer, specifically to help area manufacturing partners upskill their current workforce as well as to increase the number of local work-ready candidates for new positions.
Partners include DENSO Manufacturing Michigan and MAGNA Cosma Casting Michigan, based in Battle Creek, and Ford BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, which is building a battery park in Marshall and has already begun training employees at KCC’s Regional Manufacturing Technology Center campus.
The BlueOval project alone is expected to require around 1,700 new employees in the coming years, and the new KCC training is expected to play a part in preparing candidates for those roles.
KCC President Dr. Paul Watson said at the grant announcement in December that the new investments are about more than just technology, “they’re about preparing our communities in Calhoun, Barry and Branch counties for a brighter, more prosperous future.”
“Together, we are building the skilled workforce needed to meet the demands of the advanced manufacturing industry and ensuring our region remains at the forefront of innovation,” Watson said. “KCC is grateful for strong partnerships with our area manufacturers, and we look forward to putting these partnerships to work for current and future KCC students and trainees for many years to come.”
MEDC grant to support pre-K-12 engineering engagement
In addition to the $2.7 million grant to support advanced manufacturing training, KCC is also the recipient of an MEDC grant of nearly $784,000 to increase pre-K through 12th grade engagement in engineering.
The Bruin pre-Engineering Engagement Pipeline (BEEP) grant will enable the College to create community outreach and engagement experiences for area elementary and secondary teachers, students and their parents. These include STEM-focused summer camps, school outreach – including via enhanced Bruin Industrial Trades Mobile Trainer site visits – education workshops, Manufacturing Day initiatives and more.
More information will be available soon on the KCC website at kellogg.edu/beep.
This article first appeared in the March 2025 edition of BruIN magazine. To read the issue online, please visit kellogg.edu/bruinmagazine.