Students at the Batten College of Engineering and Technology routinely collaborate with manufacturers as part of their senior design courses, aiming to improve workflows and address industry challenges.
In one such partnership, mechanical engineering technology students teamed up with , a Richmond, Virginia-based company, to design a new lifting mechanism and waste tray. Their solution resulted in a more efficient and safer manufacturing process.
, a manufacturing and business development organization located in Martinsville, Virginia, is helping to expand these opportunities across Virginia.
Over the next five years, the organization has pledged $375,000 to connect senior design capstone teams with industry partners in Virginia, helping to develop solutions for manufacturing challenges.
Through these collaborations, students will design, prototype and build solutions that enhance manufacturing processes.
GENEDGE has been a longstanding supporter of the Batten College. In 2020, the organization pledged $250,000 over five years to support the newly established Engineering Makerspace and Invention Center—now known as the Monarch Engineering and Innovation Lab (M-Lab).
Recently, GENEDGE hosted an Open House at the Batten College, allowing manufacturers the opportunity to explore how capstone students can help address workplace challenges.
Industry representatives toured key facilities, including the Smart Manufacturing Lab, Additive Manufacturing Lab and the M-Lab.
They also met with and heard presentations from current students about their senior design projects.
During the Open House, Jeffrey Fergus, Ph.D., dean of the Batten College, highlighted the mutual benefits for both the industry and the engineering students.
"With this program, students can work on real-world problems," he said. "This collaboration allows our students to help solve industry challenges while also preparing them to become great engineers."