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technology economy is dependent on having a supply of qualified and skilled ‘ digital workers ’. This program will give students the skill set needed in today ’ s high-tech manufacturing industry ”
DIGITAL FAB LAB In the last decade , Century College has been collaborating with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) Center for Bits and Atoms Global Fab Lab Network . In 2007 , Century was the first college in the region to install and implement a Digital Fab Lab and incorporate this MIT initiative across its curriculum in science , technology , engineering and math ( STEM ) areas .
Digital fabrication ’ s early beginnings began in the late 1950s , when MIT professors first connected a computer to a vertical milling machine . This was the beginning of the automated era in manufacturing , enabling machines to operate in what became widely known as a Computer Numerical Controlled
( CNC ) environment . Until that time , workers had been operating machines such as lathes , mills and drilling / boring machines manually . During this era , there was a great expansion involving computers that were linked to machines that processed materials . Traditional tool and die workers also needed to keep up with changes in technology by developing advanced skill sets .
The Century College Engineering & Fab Lab houses numerous digital technology systems , including laser technologies , electronics , manufacturing cell and robotic systems . The new ADM program will emphasize the intersection between computing and machining , central to the Fab Lab vision pioneered by Dr . Neil Gershenfeld at MIT ’ s Center for Bits and Atoms . The Century College ADM faculty are heavily involved with the global Fab Lab initiative . Currently , there are over 1,000 Fab Labs installed around the world – with approximately 250 labs located in the United States .
For more information or a tour of the Engineering and Digital Fabrication Laboratory facility , contact Scott Simenson at scott . simenson @ century . edu .
Century College 3300 Century Avenue North White Bear Lake , MN 55110 651-779-3300 ; 800-228-1978 www . century . edu / programs
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38 Vadnais Heights Business Guide & Community Profile