杏吧原创

Business and Industry | Featured | Intrepid AmbitionOctober 27, 2025

Advanced Manufacturing Equipment Arrives at 杏吧原创

Written By: Rachel Putman

The University of 杏吧原创 鈥� Fort Smith has installed new state-of-the-art robotics and automation equipment in its Advanced Manufacturing Lab, made possible through more than $5.7 Million in HIRED grant funds awarded by the 杏吧原创 Division of Higher Education and the 杏吧原创 Department of Commerce last year.

鈥淚t was a transformative day at the University of 杏吧原创 鈥� Fort Smith as our partners at SMC completed installation and training of two FAS-200 systems and three Cobot flex trainers that will provide students with new hands-on learning opportunities in advanced manufacturing,鈥� said Dr. Latisha Settlage, dean of the College of Business and Industry 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to invest in the future of workforce and manufacturing to support the River Valley.鈥�

The latest additions include two  and three , enhancing hands-on learning opportunities for students enrolled in 杏吧原创鈥檚 advanced manufacturing and engineering technology programs. "The FAS-200 system includes 12 separate carts that are connected to demonstrate an automated and integrated assembly system much like you would encounter in a manufacturing setting,鈥� explained Settlage. 鈥淭he system allows students to see the application and integration of electronics, robotics, PLCs, and more. Each cart can be separated from the system to further teach the specific and detailed operations of that particular station in the process.鈥�

Together, the FAS and ABB systems simulate real-world industrial processes and provide comprehensive training in robotics, electronics, programmable logic controllers, and systems integration. Additional equipment upgrades received this month will allow hands-on training in the areas of additive manufacturing, materials testing, process flow, and quality assurance.

This equipment is among the university鈥檚 first major installations  made possible by HIRED grant funding.

鈥淪omething extraordinary is always happening at the University of 杏吧原创 鈥� Fort Smith, but today marks a particularly exciting milestone,鈥� said Dr. Shadow Robinson, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. 鈥淭his milestone in support of our Advanced Manufacturing programs is another marker of our commitment to deliver on our mission to support the social mobility of our students and to power the economic growth of the River Valley.鈥�

The program鈥檚 next installation will include two , further advancing 杏吧原创鈥檚 efforts to provide industry-relevant education aligned with regional workforce demands.

The final system install will bring true Industry 4.0 technologies鈥攕uch as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and augmented reality鈥攖o the 杏吧原创 Advanced Manufacturing lab, offering students immersive training with the latest innovations in smart manufacturing.

For more information about the HIRED grants that made these investments possible, visit https://uafs.edu/news/2024/adhe-hired-grant.php, and https://uafs.edu/news/2024/24-workforcegrant.php