The Smart Factory Innovation and Technologies (Smart FIT) Lab is more than just a space filled with advanced equipment. It's a hub for innovation, learning, and research: A place where students, faculty, and industry partners come together to explore the future of smart manufacturing, robotics, and automation. This cutting-edge facility is the result of collaboration between the Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Department and Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc., led by CEO Scott Summerville ’79.
Explore some of the advanced manufacturing technology in Miami University College of Engineering and Computing’s cutting-edge Smart FIT Lab.
Equipped with Mitsubishi RV-5AS vertically articulated robotic arms. Weight capacity: 5-kg, Reach: 0.9-m. Function: Material movement and machine tending. Quantity: 2.
(3 and 5 axis setup) 10-pocket carousel tool changer, equipped with pneumatic vise for automated operation. Function: CNC milling machining operations. Quantity: 2.
With robot interface. Tonnage: 55, injection capacity: 2.2 oz. Function: Injection molding of plastic parts.
Weight capacity: 13-kg, Reach: 1.3-m. Function: Product movement and assembly operations. Quantity: 3. One robot is mounted on a linear track.
Industrial robot. Weight capacity: 6-kg. Function: Assembly operations and small part handling.
Function: Robot and part positioning, and inspection.
With HMI displays, Mitsubishi PLC, part trays, DEPRAG screw fasteners, light fences and reconfigurable work areas. Function: Flexible assembly operations. Quantity: 6.
Primary: Dorner belt type system, Secondary: Planar Motor Inc. magnetically levitated platen system with six degrees of freedom. Function: Material movement and positioning for assembly.
With robotic storage and retrieval system. Multi-bin configuration accessed by AMRs. Function: Final product storage and/or part retrieval for production.
ICONICS package for factory data retrieval, analysis and management.
At Miami University College of Engineering and Computing (CEC), our Smart FIT Lab showcases advanced manufacturing automation technology in a fully integrated system that mirrors the real-world demands of modern production.
By providing students with hands-on experience using cutting-edge automation systems, in a flexible student-driven environment, the Smart FIT lab ensures they graduate career-ready, with the skills and confidence to lead innovation in manufacturing. By empowering our students to engage with the latest technology in manufacturing, the lab also highlights how manufacturing is a high-tech, dynamic, and rewarding career path that’s critical to our nation’s competitiveness.
Through access to the Smart FIT Lab, students, faculty, and industry can pursue cross-disciplinary projects for research, design, and experiential learning.
A launchpad for applied research, the Smart FIT lab supports faculty in strengthening collaborations across campus and beyond — creating new opportunities for innovation and growth. Research areas include machine vision, digital factory systems, machine learning, and more.
Students can utilize technologies in the Smart FIT Lab for their own capstone design projects, empowering them with hands-on access to the latest tools in manufacturing.
The Smart FIT lab's wide technology portfolio allows the support of activities in critical areas such as cybersecurity, AR/VR systems, data analytics, and electrical engineering.
By providing students with hands-on experience using cutting-edge automation systems and the latest technology, we are building a future for the next generation of engineers.
Scott Summerville '79
President and CEO, Mitsubishi Electric and Automation, Inc.
This state-of-the-art facility represents a significant leap forward in our commitment to hands-on, industry-relevant education.
Beena Sukumaran
Dinesh and ILA Paliwal Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing
[The Smart FIT Lab] offers a hands-on learning environment for students, a research hub for faculty, a testing ground for industry exploring automation and process innovation, and a resource for professionals looking to upskill and stay ahead in today’s rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape.
Kumar Singh
Chair and Professor, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
If your company is interested in utilizing the Smart FIT Lab technologies for employee upskilling, internship training, or research, please contact:
Jenni Szolwinski
Director of Industry Relations
Miami University
szolwijb@MiamiOH.edu
513-529-0702
If you would like to utilize Smart FIT Lab technologies for your research or capstone project, or to take part in a sponsored research project, please contact Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (MME) chair and professor Kumar Singh at singhkv@MiamiOH.edu.
