SVHEC recieves software grant from Siemens PLM Software

SVHEC to use the same technology in its classrooms that companies worldwide
depend on to design some of today’s most sophisticated products

Computers in this lab will be loaded with Siemens Go PLM software for student instruction & workforce training.

Today, the SVHEC announced it received an in-kind software grant from Siemens PLM Software, with a commercial value of $94 million.

The SVHEC will adopt the software for students training in Product Design & Development (a program offered in partnership with Danville Community College), and for use in the R&D Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Energy Efficiency (R&D CAMEE). R&D CAMEE will use Siemens PLM software for workforce training, and to resolve advanced manufacturing product development and process solutions for regional business and industry.

The software adoption gives students and industries across southern Virginia access to the same technology that companies around the world depend on every day to develop innovative products in a wide variety of industries including automotive, aerospace, machinery, shipbuilding, high-tech electronics and many more. Graduates with this type of software training are highly-recruited candidates for advanced technology jobs.

The in-kind grant for the SVHEC includes Siemens PLM Software’s Teamcenter® portfolio, the world’s most widely used digital lifecycle management software, NX™ software, a leading integrated solution for computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE), and Solid Edge® software, the most complete hybrid 2D/3D CAD system.

“The SVHEC is excited to work with Siemens PLM Software to provide industry-leading tech­nology in the classroom. This partnership strengthens our continuing efforts to meet the needs of employers and prepare students for significant high-paying STEM careers,” said Dr. Betty H. Adams, SVHEC executive director.

“Siemens PLM Software is pleased to provide this software to the SVHEC so students can leverage the same technology used by leading multi-national manufactur­ing companies. It allows them to gain the technical experience needed in a highly competitive job market that requires deep knowledge of advanced manufacturing technologies and processes,” said Bill Boswell, senior director, partner strategy, Siemens PLM Software.

The in-kind grant was provided by Siemens PLM Software’s academic program that delivers PLM software technology to more than one million students yearly at more than 11,000 global institutions. The software provided is used at every academic level – from grade schools to graduate engineering research programs.

About the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center

The mission of the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center is advancing southern Virginia’s economic potential through education, innovation, and collaboration. The SVHEC provides educational access and workforce training, and is focused on re-tooling southern Virginia’s rural workforce for jobs in the new economy. Established in 1986, the SVHEC is an independent state agency located in two re-purposed tobacco warehouses in the heart of downtown South Boston, VA. For more information call 434-572-5440, or email information@svhec.org.

Institute assists VIR to clone famed oak tree

National Speed Sport News

Virginia International Raceway is moving forward with plans to improve its facilities, including repaving the 3.27 mile historic road course and widening it in several places, as well as paving in the north paddock this off-season.

In addition, the raceway will further memorialize its iconic oak tree, which fell this summer after serving as a prominent feature and welcome shade provider to the track’s south end for more than 200 years.

Honoring the fallen oak tree, VIR is working with the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research to actually clone the tree. The IALR is located in Danville and focuses on using research, education and conferencing to create economic development. Once its work is complete, the cloned saplings will be offered to VIR fans so they can replant them in their own communities and celebrate the iconic old oak tree for years to come. VIR will announce more on timing and purchase opportunities once details are confirmed.

“To be able to honor the grand old oak tree in such a historic and innovative way is really special for us,” said Connie Nyholm, owner and CEO of VIR. “We’re so grateful to the IALR for helping us with this and we’re excited to be able to share the cloned tree with VIR fans. Nothing will replace the old tree, but this will serve as a great tribute to it.”

The announcements come at the fourth day of racing at VIR, leading up to today’s appropriately named Oak Tree Grand Prix featuring the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron. Fans who bought advanced tickets to the race will receive a limited edition key chain featuring a token made from the original oak tree. Additional memorabilia made from the tree’s wood is planned and will be announced in the weeks and months to follow. As a final nod to the original, VIR will plant a new oak tree near the spot of the fallen one.

The VIR track improvements this off-season will include: · Repaving the track’s full course, the first time the 3.27 miles have been repaved since 1999 in preparation for VIR’s 2000 reopening · Widening the track by six feet at several locations to allow easier passing (map available with specific locations) · Moving of the start and finish line to just after pit row, allowing better viewing for spectators as well as positioning the finish on a wider portion of the track · Paving of the north paddock, including both previously paved and unpaved portions to ensure an even and smooth surface.

 

http://www.newsadvance.com/work_it_sova/news/article_2d5c78a8-3dc4-11e3-bd9e-0019bb30f31a.html

C-CARE partners with Kawasaki Robotics

The National Center for Coatings, Application, Research and Education (C-CARE) has solidified its partnership with Kawasaki Robotics by integrating a new 6-axis robot into the Riverstone facility, Doug Corrigan, executive director of the Riverstone Energy Center, announced Friday.

The partnership was formalized last week.

C-CARE represents a multi-million dollar investment by the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Communities Revitalization Commission, the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority (IDA), Halifax County and a host of industry partners.

The mission of C-CARE is to assist manufacturers with their process engineering, research and development and work-force training needs in the application of coatings to their final products.

The C-CARE lab in Riverstone Technology Park has been recognized by industry as a one-of-a-kind facility in North America and rounds out Halifax's capability in aiding manufacturers in all cycles of product development, including modeling and simulation, design, engineering and prototyping.

C-CARE is part of Halifax's economic development tool-kit that aims to provide assets and programs to support and attract industries that require advanced manufacturing technology and skill sets.

C-CARE is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies from a number of industrial partners, which include Superfici, Krautzburger, Graco, Kremlin and Kawasaki. The latest addition to the C-CARE lab, a 6-axis Kawasaki robot, enables manufacturers to use the latest technology for applying spray coatings to their parts on an automated hangline.

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Local businessman in "Top 35 under 35" rising stars in automotive industry

TMI AutoTech's Co-Owner and VP Mark Swain has been recognized as one of the "Top 35 under 35" rising stars in the automotive industry by SEMA - Specialty Equipment Market Association.

TMI AutoTech, the North American manufacturer of the Ariel Atom, is headquartered at VIRginia International Raceway in Halifax County. The company also offers precision manufacturing for clients, and corporate retreats through its VIR Driving Experience.

Visit http://www.sema.org/sema-news/2013/09/35-under-35 to read the article.

SVHEC receives software grant from Siemens PLM Software

SVHEC to use the same technology in its classrooms that companies worldwide depend on to design some of today's most sophisticated products

Today, the SVHEC announced it received an in-kind software grant from Siemens PLM Software, with a commercial value of $94 million.

The SVHEC will adopt the software for students training in Product Design & Development (a program offered in partnership with Danville Community College), and for use in the R&D Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Energy Efficiency (R&D CAMEE). R&D CAMEE will use Siemens PLM software for workforce training, and to resolve advanced manufacturing product development and process solutions for regional business and industry.

The software adoption gives students and industries across southern Virginia access to the same technology that companies around the world depend on every day to develop innovative products in a wide variety of industries including automotive, aerospace, machinery, shipbuilding, high-tech electronics and many more. Graduates with this type of software training are highly-recruited candidates for advanced technology jobs.

Read more ...

Energy Center intern studying Computer Science at VCU

Riverstone Energy Center intern Zack Raney is beginning his first year of college at Virginia Commonwealth University as a Computer Science major. As a Junior at Halifax County High School, Zach began his internship in June 2012 after touring the Riverstone Energy Center as part of Longwood University’s Digispired program.

“Using the knowledge I gained from Digispired, I was able to help Riverstone Energy Center create computer programs based on virtual reality to help expand their capabilities in Modeling and Simulation. I was able to experiment and develop applications using virtual reality tools like UNITY, Kinect, the OCULUS Rift, HYDRA, and the CAVE at Riverstone. Over the time I have been here, I have gained a great deal of knowledge about many things like programing, working with a team, and developing software for industry. Working here has been a great experience that I have gained a lot from. I am glad that I have had this opportunity to work with Riverstone Energy Center”, Zack Raney stated.

Dr. Doug Corrigan, Executive Director of the Riverstone Energy Center stated, “The Riverstone Energy Center internship program uses the talents of local high school students and college students to develop and adapt new technology within the Modeling and Simulation Center of Excellence. We have some great students in Halifax who are amazingly creative and intelligent, and we should be finding ways to develop that talent and retain them within our region.” To date, the program has worked with a number of interns from the high school and other colleges and will continue to expand into the future. For more information, please contact Doug Corrigan at dcorrigan@riverstoneenergycenter.com

IDA Hires Manager of Marketing & Business Development

The Halifax Industrial Development Authority (IDA) is pleased to announce that Kristy Johnson has been selected as its Manager of Marketing & Business Development. While this is a new position for the IDA, Kristy is well known to the IDA and Halifax County.

"Our search lead us to our own backyard," said IDA Executive Director, Matt Leonard. "We had an excellent response from candidates local and beyond, including those with marketing experience for nationally recognized organizations," reports Leonard. "Kristy knows Halifax County, and believes in it deeply. She has proven that over and again through her excellent work for the IDA and REC over the last five years, and through her community involvement outside of her work. Between her previous education and experience, and her different roles and responsibilities at the IDA and the REC, she has built up many of the skills needed for the this new position.."

Kristy first came to the IDA as its Operations Manager in 2009, a position she held until 2011. Her excellent work in that capacity made her the IDA's clear choice to become the Director of Operations & Business Development for Riverstone Energy Center (REC). REC is an IDA component, funded by the Tobacco Commission, the County and IDA, offering Business Incubation, and Product Development and Improvement. Dr. Douglas Corrigan is REC's Executive Director, and worked extensively with Kristy over the last two years to launch and grow the REC.

"Kristy is a great mulit-tasker, and a notably hard worker. She has done everything we needed her to do, and done it well," said Dr. Corrigan. "In fact, we singled her out at this time last year for her exemplary work on the Advanced Manufacturing Symposium and C-CARE Ribbon Cutting event. Kristy spent countless hours coordinating many of the IDA's partners, and industry stakeholders from around the country."

Johnsons's new duties will include planning and implementing targeted marketing strategies and tactics, coordinating prospect events, developing and coordinating marketing materials, deploying marketing through various media (electronic, social, print, etc.), developing and maintaining productive relationships with economic development and community partners and allies, assisting when negotiating agreements and contracts with prospects.

Johnson lives in the Town of Halifax with her husband Clint Johnson, a SVCC instructor working at the SVHEC, and their two sons. She is a Town of Halifax Council Member, Town of Halifax Planning Commissioner, Mentor Role Model Board Member, and Co-Chair of the Chamber of Commerce's Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs. She holds a BA in Business from Georgia Southwestern State, Basic Economic Developer Certificate, and a graduate of the Chamber of Commerce's Leadership program. She will start her new position on October 15th.

SVHEC receives manufacturing grants

Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) has received two grants to help train Southern Virginia's manufacturing work force.

The Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission awarded the higher education center a $163,750 grant to fund its Advanced Manufacturing Bootcamp and a second grant of $20,886 to fund the initial group of participants in SVHEC's new welding lab.

The Advanced Manufacturing Bootcamp will prepare participants for skills needed in entry-level advanced manufacturing positions. Participants will also earn nationally recognized credentials, including National Career Readiness Certificate, OSHA 10, Lean Principles, Standard Work, and CPR & First Aid.

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