Mike Kunkle from MEK Consulting - Owner
mekconsulting [at] comcast [dot] net (717) 578-9875
Vishesh, Robotic integrators are always looking for robot technicians and personnel who are capable of programming PLC's. I suggest that you look into pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, or if this is not possible look for trade schools or colleges offering mechatronics classes.

Wes Doneth from Fronius - Tech Support Manager
doneth [dot] wesley [at] fronius.com (877) 376-6487
Keegan, Check out your local community college or narrow your field by investigating the welding industry - www.aws.org

Frank Claude from Dunwoody College of Technology - Principle Instructor
fclaude [at] dunwoody [dot] edu (612) 374-5800, x8206
Please feel free to contact me and may be I could offer some insight as to a direction you could pursue, classes you should have on your priority list now and maybe look at what type of career you would like to pursue in the future.

Frank Claude from Dunwoody College of Technology - Principle Instructor
fclaude [at] dunwoody [dot] edu (612) 374-5800, x8206
DOF is an acronym for Degrees of Freedom. With respect to robots, it relates to the number of axes or moveable joints of a robot. For a robot that has six degrees of freedom it means it has six joints. In general DOF is the number of independent parameters that identify its configuration.

Jeff Chapman from Chapman Group, Inc. - President and Chief Search Consultant
jeffc [at] thechapmangroup [dot] com (480) 483-8833
If they are not going to integrate anything but Comau robots running the B&R control software they are obviously trying to standardize and simplify their robot integration which means they may not need someone with your breadth of skills. I would look for another company that does integrate multiple robot platform types where you will be more valued.

Jason Jamiel from KC Robotics, Inc. - Service Manager & Senior Applications Engineer
jjamiel [at] kcrobotics [dot] com (513) 860-4442
Im assuming that when you use the term “recycling”, you are referring to rebuilding a robot system? If this is the case, in most units depending on the use of its previous work life, almost all the integral parts of a manipulator and controller can be reused. The rotary vector gears or planetary gears are removed, cleaned and checked for wear. The same is true for any harmonic type drives or cyclo drive systems. If the drives are past their life cycle and show play or “slop” that unit is replaced with a new drive. Robot drives that have been replaced are usually then sold for scrap, especially the R.V. drives given their high metal weight.

Jason Jamiel from KC Robotics, Inc. - Service Manager & Senior Applications Engineer
jjamiel [at] kcrobotics [dot] com (513) 860-4442
90% of robots external housings are made from aluminum, and the other 10% may be of steel or other alloy, usually located at the base of the robot, all of these castings are usually cleaned up with an environmentally safe degreaser, then blasted with a walnut (again environmentally safe) based blast using high pressure air. After this process, the robot is reassembled and usually sprayed with an electro-static paint. Using this method of painting reduces waste to almost zero and adheres to the robot in all the hard to reach areas.

Jason Jamiel from KC Robotics, Inc. - Service Manager & Senior Applications Engineer
jjamiel [at] kcrobotics [dot] com (513) 860-4442
In most rebuilds, the only waste that occurs is the replacement of any form of batteries that the system may contain and the old grease that is flushed out of the drives, both of which are collected and sent to a recycling facility that specializes in these types of recycling.

Jason Jamiel from KC Robotics, Inc. - Service Manager & Senior Applications Engineer
jjamiel [at] kcrobotics [dot] com (513) 860-4442
As for the by-products caused by robots in industry performing various tasks, these can be many. In most cases welding robots are the most dangerous as far as side effects to the environment. When welding galvanized metals, a rather toxic gas is created due to the chemicals involved with the galvanizing process. Most industrial companies that use robots for welding have mechanized weld “hoods” that cover the proximity of the working environment that circulate the fumes into a filtering system. Almost all high output welding systems have one of these units integrated into the system.

Jason Jamiel from KC Robotics, Inc. - Service Manager & Senior Applications Engineer
jjamiel [at] kcrobotics [dot] com (513) 860-4442
As for general function, the only waste from robots in working environments is energy consumption. Robot manufacturers are coming out with improvements with every generation of robot they release that reduce energy costs and increase consumable component life such as grease every year. Every company is approaching these goals differently, but given the competitive state of the robotics industry, all manufacturers address these issues.

Jason Jamiel from KC Robotics, Inc. - Service Manager & Senior Applications Engineer
jjamiel [at] kcrobotics [dot] com (513) 860-4442
Hey there, obviously titanium would be the best, but more than likely not cost effective. I would recommend a multilayer aluminum or an "aluminum laminate" you can make this your self and would be very effective.

Jeff Chapman from Chapman Group, Inc. - The Chapman Group, Factory Automation Recruiting
jeff [at] thechapmangroup [dot] com (480) 483-8833
The core of integration is programming so, if you have not already done so, learn how to program a major player's robots. KUKA would be a good place to start since they are a German company and they are very prevalent in factories there including BMW. If you become proficient at robot programming, that and your mechanical design ability will be a great door opener with integrators of the robot you learn to program. Kuka or any of the other larger companies Fanuc, Yaskawa/Motoman, ABB, all have an integration partner list of companies to be sure to reach out to when the time comes. You can get affordable programming training if you take a class at a university that has that robot in their lab or shop. Contact the robot company and ask when and where they have training available. If you need more feel free to ask again.

Chelsea Knoke from Intelligrated Systems Inc. - Marketing Coordinator
chelsea [dot] knoke [at] intelligrated.com (314) 872-5806
Hi, Ariel. Your question was answered by the director of our Mexico City office, and he says that the perfect answer is electronic engineering with subsystem in control at the Universidad Iberoamericana or TEC University. The one with the largest number of signatures in artificial intelligence is la Ibero and also the control area is very good. The TEC miss the human part that la Ibero have. If you should find your robotics experience takes you into the packaging industry in the future, please don't hesitate to call on us. If you have any more robotics in material handling questions in the meantime, let us know also! Thanks.

Peter Dettmer from Madison Area Technical College - Instructor - Automated Manufacturing
psdettmer [at] matcmadison [dot] edu (608) 246-5264
I don't think it is ever to late to go back to school. Many of my students do it. My students' ages range from 18 to 55. It's not easy with a career, personal and family life. Everyone needs to decide for their own what their priorities in life are. In my opinion, personal growth requires continuous learning. I don't know about the St. Louis area, but I'd think that there are some Community or Tech Colleges around that would offer programs, or at least classes in robotics. Vincennes University in Vinncenes, IN offers some great training and progams in your region. Maybe they can refer you to something closer to your location? Good luck!

Isabelle Roberts from BRIC Engineered Systems - Business Development
iroberts [at] briceng [dot] com (905) 436-8867
The best person to talk to is Brian Huse, Director of the Robotics Industry Association. Brian is awesome and knows just about everything when it comes to robots and the future of robots.

Therese Snow from DELMIA Corp - Marketing Communications
therese [dot] snow [at] 3ds.com (248) 205-5143
Hi Rajesh, There are a lot of resources available with Dassault Systemes DELMIA for students and universities alike. You may want to view the downloads on the DS Acaemic website which is: academy.3ds.com

Karen Long from ABB Inc. - Robotic Training and Career Expert
karen [dot] s.long [at] us.abb.com (248) 391-9000
Hi Nancy - ABB Robotics has affiliations with 3 higher education institutions in your general area - Illinois State University (Normal, IL), Fox Valley Technical College (Appleton, WI) and Vincennes University (Vincennes, IN). All of them have very impressive labs and would probably welcome the opportunity to "show you around". If you are interested, please contact me directly via my ABB email address (see below). I would be happy to make the necessary introductions. Best regards, Karen Long ABB Inc. Robotics Training Administrator 1250 Brown Road Auburn Hills, MI 48326 Office: +1.248.391.8693 Mobile: +1.248.670.6818 Fax: +1.860.298.3746 karen.s.long@us.abb.com

from Motoman Robotics

The local SME and SAE chapters are good sources.

from Motoman Robotics

There are plenty of opprotunites for ME's, particularly those with strong working knowledge of Denavit-Hartenberg parameters and the mathematics involved. Also, robotics is often an exercise in mechanical optimization for load, moment, inertias, etc.

from Lake Superior State University

One possible way to get into the robotics field could be by completing another B.S. degree at a university that is specializing in robotics. You could also consider a post graduate certification in robotics or a Master's degree in a field with a robotics specialty. Upon graduation from a program at a university that has an emphasis in robotics, you would then have access to job opportunies with robotics industries that typically go to such universities to fill positions in robotics and related areas. You can go to the website of Peterson's guide, for a list of such universities. At Lake Superior State University in Michigan (www.lssu.edu/eng), in most situations for those having a technical degree from an accredited institution, you can finish another B.S. degree in Manufacturing by completing an additional 32 credits (typically in 2 semesters which is 8 months). Also, at LSSU, there is a post graduate certificate program available in robotics completable in 5 months.

from Lake Superior State University

One possible way to get into the robotics field could be by completing another B.S. degree at a university that is specializing in robotics. You could also consider a post graduate certification in robotics or a Master's degree in a field with a robotics specialty. Upon graduation from a program at a university that has an emphasis in robotics, you would then have access to job opportunies with robotics industries that typically go to such universities to fill positions in robotics and related areas. You can go to the website of Peterson's guide, for a list of such universities. At Lake Superior State University in Michigan (www.lssu.edu/eng), in most situations for those having a technical degree from an accredited institution, you can finish another B.S. degree in Manufacturing by completing an additional 32 credits (typically in 2 semesters which is 8 months). Also, at LSSU, there is a post graduate certificate program available in robotics completable in 5 months.

Jeff Chapman from Chapman Group, Inc. - President and Chief Search Consultant
jeffc [at] thechapmangroup [dot] com (480) 483-8833
I'm assuming you're talking about getting into industrial robotics as opposed to other applications and robot types like personal or military robotics. Your embedded software experience can transfer to embedded motion control for robots which happens at the equipment manufacturer level. In order to actually do robot programming, which happens at the integration level, you would have to learn the programming methods and languages that apply to specific robot manufacturers. Most have their own proprietary programming languages and so it will require starting with one and learning that language. I would suggest starting with a widely used robotic platform ie: KUKA, Motoman, Fanuc, or Kawasaki. Training is available from each manufacturer through their training departments. Also, study a growing vertical market like packaging and palletizing. Robot controls engineers/programmers should know the manufacturing environments where the robots are applied too. Best of luck to you!

from Lake Superior State University

Controls, kinematics, design, programming, simulation, and application (systems integration) are some of the areas within the robotics field. The categories may vary depending on which point of engineering you are viewing robotics from - mechanical, electrical, manufacturig or computer science. The job prospects look decent based on some companies looking to automation as opposed to off-shoring. You could check on availability of internships and jobs by posting your information (resume) in the Career Center section of RIA's robotics.org website. Also, assuming you are affiliated with a university and your university is not a member institution of RIA, your university could be encouraged to consider becoming a member of RIA. RIA can identify robotics industries that would be willing to sponsor a university (or a department in a university) by paying half of the membership dues (which I believe is $350). This opens up the door for exposure of the university's programs to many

from Lake Superior State University

You could check on availability of internships and jobs by posting your information (resume) in the Career Center section of RIA's robotics.org website. Also, assuming you are affiliated with a university and your university is not a member institution of RIA, your university could be encouraged to consider becoming a member of RIA. RIA can identify robotics industries that would be willing to sponsor a university (or a department in a university) by paying half of the membership dues (which I believe is $350). This opens up the door for exposure of the university's programs to many industries and professionals in the robotics field. This in turn will help placement of graduates as well as provide a conduit for collaboration between universities and industries in research and development projects. Best wishes.

from Chapman Group, Inc.

The prospects for a person with a ME degree and university training and experience related to robotics are very good. There are fewer and fewer engineers who are focusing on the mechanical design side and more who opt to focus on EE and Software. If you are flexible as to location and you have a positive and up beat personality you should have no problem finding a job in the robotics field.

from Lake Superior State University

You could check on availability jobs in the robotics field by posting your information (resume) in the Career Center section of RIA's robotics.org website. Also, assuming you are affiliated with a university and your university is not a member institution of RIA, your university could be encouraged to consider becoming a member of RIA. RIA can identify robotics industries that would be willing to sponsor a university (or a department in a university) by paying half of the membership dues (which I believe is $350). This opens up the door for exposure of the university's programs to many industries and professionals in the robotics field. This in turn will help placement of graduates as well as provide a conduit for collaboration between universities and industries in research and development projects. Best wishes.

from Applied Manufacturing Technologies

Many opportunities are available for students pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

from Lake Superior State University

You could check on availability of internships and jobs by posting your information (resume) in the Career Center section of RIA's robotics.org website. Also, assuming you are affiliated with a university and your university is not a member institution of RIA, your university could be encouraged to consider becoming a member of RIA. RIA can identify robotics industries that would be willing to sponsor a university (or a department in a university) by paying half of the membership dues (which I believe is $350). This opens up the door for exposure of the university's programs to many industries and professionals in the robotics field. This in turn will help placement of graduates as well as provide a conduit for collaboration between universities and industries in research and development projects. Best wishes.