Purdue University Prepares Students for the Factory of the Future

The engineering program adds a smart manufacturing degree and immersive digital transformation learning labs.

Purdue Polytechnic's Smart Learning Factory, with a finished setup after recent installations.
Purdue Polytechnic's Smart Learning Factory, with a finished setup after recent installations.
Purdue University photo/John O'Malley

As manufacturers make a digital transformation overhaul of outdated manual processes on the factory floor, educational institutions must also take action to support the new required skillsets. After all, this is not your father’s factory floor anymore.

In an effort to provide relevant studies in the area of digital manufacturing, Purdue University recently added the Smart Manufacturing Industrial Informatics degree as a major in the Manufacturing Engineering Technology program, which is part of Purdue Polytechnic's School of Engineering Technology (SoET).

The new major includes an interdisciplinary curriculum focused on the application of science, engineering, information systems, and computing in manufacturing. Students pursuing this major incorporate Industry 4.0 technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), big data analytics, cloud and edge computing, augmented reality (AR), systems modeling and simulation, autonomous human robot systems, additive manufacturing, and cybersecurity, among others.

The program focuses on helping people interact with technology in industrial environments, with a curriculum goal of revamping engineering technology education and preparing students for industry. And the best way to do that is in an interactive environment.

To that end, Purdue Polytechnic's SoET recently announced it will dedicate four smart manufacturing facilities located in Dudley and Lambertus Hall on Purdue’s West Lafayette Campus. This, according to the university, creates one of the most expansive learning ecosystems of its kind in the United States.