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Michigan Tech receives corporate computer technology gift
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Michigan Tech President Curt Tompkins expresses his appreciation to representatives of the corporations donating leading-edge technology to
the university for training future engineers. At left is Harvey Bell, General Motors engineering director, representing one of the donors who
attended a Media event Wednesday in the Michigan Tech Memorial Union Ballroom.
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HOUGHTON -- Michigan Technological University students will soon be beneficiaries of a joint donation of leading-edge technology to prepare them for careers in computer-assisted design
(CAD), manufacturing (CAM) and engineering (CAE). Through a partnership titled PACE - Partners for the Advancement of CAD/CAM Education - four corporations will donate more than
$15 million in hardware, software, training and technical support to help educate future engineers.
Since the PACE initiative began in September 1999, Michigan Tech is the fourth university to receive the donation from General Motors Corp., Unigraphics Solutions, Sun Microsystems and
Electronic Data Systems (EDS). The others are Michigan State University, Instituto Politecnico Nacional (Ticoman, Mexico) and Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (Toluca, Mexico).
"We are very pleased and proud to be selected by the PACE partners to participate in their program to integrate Unigraphics into the engineering curricula of key strategically located
academic institutions," Michigan Tech President Curt Tompkins said Wednesday. "This significant gift . . . will greatly enhance our designing engineering and solid modeling curricula."
Tompkins noted the university meets several criteria making it eligible for the donation, including:
- a long-term relationship with General Motors as a primary educational partner;
- a strong product development and manufacturing curricula;
- an adequate infrastructure of facilities, maintenance system and personnel to support the hardware and software;
- a willingness to integrate computer software into engineering programs;
- a dedication to providing distance learning to students at GM facilities around the globe.
"Weíre looking forward to our role as a full academic partner with the enhanced capability of
providing a highly skilled candidate pool of full-service engineers for GM and all the PACE partners," Tompkins said.
Willard Richart, Automotive Director for Sun Microsystems, Inc., said Sun is proud to be a PACE partner.
"Michigan Techís participation in the PACE program will enhance their engineering curricula and
provide students with the technological background and skills required for careers in todayís high-tech and manufacturing industries," Richart said.
Speaking for Unigraphics Solutions, Inc., Tom Wellinger, UGS Principle Director for GM Account
Management, said, UGS is pleased to add Michigan Tech to the growing list of universities joining the PACE program.
"When quality institutions like Michigan Tech use our product development solutions in the
classroom, it further elevates the status of our company and our software," Wellinger said.
In the Michigan Tech Memorial Union Building ballroom Wednesday, students, faculty and visitors
watched Vass Theodoracatos of the General Motors University Knowledge Center give a demonstration of Design Automation using Unigraphics software.
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 Vass Theodoracatos, foreground, of the General Motors University Knowledge Center, demonstrates Design Automation using Unigraphics
software. At table in background are (at left) Carl Villman, Michigan Tech associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering-
Engineering Mechanics, and Thomas Wellinger of Unigraphics Solutions.
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"The beauty of the CAD system," he said, "is that every time you perform an operation it remembers it."
While in the past the engineering designer had to do a physical mock-up to visualize something in
order to make a decision, Theodoracatos noted, now he or she sees it on the computer instantaneously. Instead of having to re-create the whole, parametrics allows the designer to
modify the parameters, or variables, of the whole through computer simulation. Parts of a car door and its automatic window danced on the animated computer screen as he spoke.
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 Parts of a simulated car door and its automatic window appear on a computer screen allowing the designer to change parameters on a
three-dimensional model using Unigraphics software.
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Parametrics is a mathematical model of a physical part, Theodoracatos explained. All mathematical equations have parameters that you can modify.
"What you see on the computer screen is a graphical representation of (the equation)," he said.
"So if you want to modify the graphics you have to modify the equation."
Theodoracatos said the computer simulation helps the engineer do a better design.
"We have a tool to get as close to nature as possible," he said.
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 Vass Theodoracatos of the General Motors University Knowledge Center explains integration of Unigraphics software within the four-year
mechanical engineering curriculum.
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William Predebon, Michigan Tech Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Department chair, said the students are excited about this technology.
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 Michigan Tech Professor William Predebon, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, speaks at the podium
about the role of the new technology in the Michigan Tech engineering curriculum. Also pictured are (far left) Harvey Bell, General Motors
Corp. engineering director; Michigan Tech President Curt Tompkins; and Priscilla King, talent acquisition director for General Motors Education Relations.
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"Our hope is by the end of the first year they will be able to create three-dimensional models," he said.
Predebon noted part of the curriculum is to be sure they learn the foundations, even while using a sophisticated tool.
"Thatís our challenge," he added.
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 Michigan Tech student Julie Lloyd works on a Unigraphics image while working at General Motors as a student intern. The donation of
hardware, CAD/CAM software and training made by General Motors, Unigraphics Solutions, Sun Microsystems and EDS allowed Lloyd to
learn the use of Unigraphics at Michigan Tech. Photo Courtesy General Motors.
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Hulas King, director of Unigraphics Solutions Strategic Partnership Programs, said these software tools prepare students to enter the job market with more than theories so they can add value to a
company immediately.
"If you give them the tools now, then they have a taste of the real world before they get there," King said.
Speaking for EDS, Todd Taylor, process executive for Global Develop Product, said Michigan
Tech students have an opportunity to benefit from the technological expertise and resources each corporate partner brings to this collaborative effort.
"Those with education in leading-edge technology will enter the job market ready to make their mark in the digital economy," he said.
For more information check these Web sites:
- Michele Anderson
August 31, 2000
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