{{RELATEDLINKS}}The AIDT Alabama
Robotics Technology
Park (RTP) in North
Alabama is one of
the most innovative
training centers in
the country. Workers
from manufacturers
all over Alabama
train on the latest
robots and automation
tools.
The park currently
consists of
two buildings, with
a third planned for
groundbreaking this summer. The first training
center opened in November 2010. The Robotic
Maintenance Training Center is dedicated to
teaching technicians to work with and operate
on the leading industrial robotics and automation
software in the world. The highlight of the
facility is the manufacturing floor, which consists
of more than 30 industrial robots, an automated
welding lab, and a mock-up automated manufacturing
line used to explain the purpose of
robots in manufacturing to students.
Phase two of the Alabama RTP is the
43,000-square-foot Advanced Technology and
Research Development center. Think of this
facility as a cutting-edge R&D facility focusing
entirely on high-end robotics and automation
projects. Some of the early companies involved
in Phase II are creating and testing robotics for
military and civilian applications as well as first
responder needs. In some instances, the 9/10-
mile test track can be used for testing drone takeoffs
and landings as well as remote-control mine
searchers.
Phase III consists
of the Integration,
Entrepreneurial and
Paint Center, which
is under design
now; a groundbreaking
is tentatively
scheduled for
summer 2014. This
facility will allow
companies to train
in manual paint
spraying techniques
and robotic dispense
training.
Last year, the
Alabama RTP debuted a mobile training lab that is
used for outreach and to help teach k-12 students
about careers in robotics and automation.
The RTP mobile lab is a 53-foot semi-trailer
outfitted with the latest and greatest in robotics
and automation. Since June 2013, nearly 55,000
kids have explored the Mobile Robotics Training
Lab.
The RTP is just one of the many incentives
Alabama has to offer when it comes to landing
economic development projects. “With new
companies moving to and existing companies
expanding in Alabama, AIDT is continuously
upgrading its services as a training organization,”
says AIDT’s Executive Director Ed Castile.
“By staying on top of new technologies and
advanced production processes, AIDT is able
to keep producing a highly skilled, well-trained
workforce and keep our clients safe, productive,
and profitable. We will continue to find ways
to be innovative in our approach to training,
developing, and recruiting the workforce these
industries require.”