TROY ? Automation Alley, one of Southeast Michigan?s largest and oldest technology marketing groups, opened the Automation Alley Lifecycle Management Center at Oakland University Feb. 20 at a press event attended by technology business leaders from across the region.
Located inside OU INC, the Center ? in partnership with Siemens, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Geometric Solutions, solidThinking and Oakland University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science ? will offer affordable training and PLM certification using cutting-edge equipment and software, including computer aided design, computer aided engineering and computer aided manufacturing, as well as other state-of-the-art PLM technologies including digital factory simulation, 3-D scanning and 3-D printing.
In addition, the center will help to cultivate the digital design and manufacturing of the future for Michigan?s small to medium-sized manufacturers by equipping the next generation of workers with PLM tools through science, technology, engineering and math initiatives. A consulting and technical services program will help companies looking to move from traditional design and manufacturing methods to the latest in digital processes. And a matching program will create an education pipeline, pairing trained workers and students at K-12 schools and colleges and universities with local manufacturing companies interested in hiring interns and employees.
PLM is the process of managing the lifecycle of a product from its conception and design, through manufacture, to service and disposal. It integrates people, data, processes and business systems and is a vital process for all digital design and manufacturing of the future. PLM technologies can improve and optimize a company?s productivity and methodologies by making complex processes more cohesive, streamlined and simplified. In doing so, a higher quality product can be brought to market faster and at a less expensive price point, creating less waste and generating higher profits for major manufacturing industries.
The Automation Alley Product Lifecycle Management Center is located at One Golfview Lane, Rochester, MI 48309.
