IN-MaC appoints Hartman and Sutherland as co-executive directors
December 11, 2015
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Nathan Hartman |
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Computer graphics technology professor Nathan W. Hartman and engineering professor John W. Sutherland have been appointed as co-executive directors of Purdue University's Indiana Next Generation Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN-MaC).
Hartman is a professor in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute and director of the Product Lifecycle Management Center of Excellence, while Sutherland is a professor and the Fehsenfeld Family Head of Environmental and Ecological Engineering in the Purdue College of Engineering.
The appointments were jointly announced by Leah H. Jamieson, the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering and the Ransburg Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Purdue Polytechnic Dean Gary R. Bertoline, a distinguished professor in the Department of Computer Graphics Technology and a professor of Computer & Information Technology. Jamieson and Bertoline serve as chairs of IN-MaC's executive committee.
"Professors Hartman and Sutherland are uniquely suited to lead IN-MaC," Jamieson and Bertoline said in a joint statement. "Sutherland is a world-renowned expert and pioneer in the field of sustainable manufacturing who has extensive experience in industrial quality and productivity improvement. Hartman is a recognized global thought leader in product lifecycle management and a pioneer in digital enterprise technologies and methods."
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John W. Sutherland |
Hartman is excited about the appointment, saying IN-MaC has an opportunity to link manufacturing research to the industrial base in the state of Indiana through technology adoption and education and workforce development.
"The focus of this work will be high technology readiness level activities in the digital enterprise, process optimization and manufacturing sustainment areas targeted at the incumbent workforce," Hartman said.
Added Sutherland: "One of IN-MaC's key activities is to continue to reinforce Indiana's leadership in manufacturing in the region and in the U.S. through research and industrial engagement in next-generation methods and tools, as well as areas including digital manufacturing and the use of digital product data to support the production and delivery of products."
IN-MaC was created in 2013 with funds dedicated by the Indiana Legislature and renewed at $2.5 million per year for this biennium. Through its state, regional and national focus, IN-MaC is structured around a comprehensive, three-pronged approach to next-generation manufacturing:
* Education and workforce development.
* Research to ensure Indiana's competitiveness in manufacturing in the future.
* A technology adoption program that connects industry's needs with leading-edge research in a flexible business environment.
According to Ronald Steuterman, managing director of IN-MaC, the program currently has 10 Technology Adoption Projects active with Indiana employers, and has completed 24 such projects over the past 24 months. Over the same period, education and workforce development projects totaling $1 million have been funded with partners at Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University, Purdue University Calumet and Purdue's West Lafayette campus.
An additional $1 million has been invested in next generation manufacturing research, including support for Purdue's participation in three National Network for Manufacturing Innovation institutes.
Writer: Phillip Fiorini, 765-496-3133, pfiorini@purdue.edu
Sources: Nathan Hartman, 765 496 6104, nhartman@purdue.edu
John Sutherland, 765 496-9697, jwsuther@purdue.edu
Ronald Steuterman, 765 494-4437, steuterm@purdue.edu
