KUKA Robotics sponsors high school Mini-Chopper build project promoting technical education

Project Designed to Expose Students to High Tech Manufacturing Techniques

Clinton Township, Michigan — June 27, 2006 – KUKA Robotics Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of industrial robots, today announced it is sponsoring the Mini-Chopper Build project, modeled after the popular TV show “American Chopper” for high school students in the Wisconsin area. The program is part of an annual event put on by Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, WI. It is designed to expose students to high tech manufacturing techniques.

“We believe that by sponsoring this program financially and by helping students develop design ideas that match KUKA design criteria that we are encouraging technical training beyond high school and ultimately supporting technical knowledge and training advancements in the U.S.,” said Kevin Kozuszek, director of marketing for KUKA Robotics Corporation.

“We are pleased to be offering students this chance to advance their knowledge and hopefullly it will encourage them to continue their technical training beyond high school,” said Mike Cattelino, an associate dean at Fox Valley Technical College.

The program is a part of Fox Valley Technical College’s annual event and challenges high school students to design and build a mini-chopper using high tech techniques such as computer aided design, welding, grinding and painting. The project, opened to high school juniors and seniors, gives the teams a unique learning experience involving engineering and manufacturing disciplines including Industrial engineering, mechanical design, machine tool technology, and electronics. KUKA Robotics, one of nine corporate sponsors, sponsored one of the six participating high schools.

Fox Valley Technical College was founded in 1967 and offers more than 80 associate degree and technical diploma programs, nearly 120 short-term certificates, and instruction related to 20 apprenticeship trades in addition to providing services to business and industry. A wide variety of courses are also offered for career enhancement or personal enrichment. Each year, the college serves almost 50,000 people throughout its five-county district. More information on FVTC can be found on the college’s website at www.fvtc.edu.

KUKA Robotics Corporation, with its parent company KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg, Germany, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of industrial robots, with an annual production volume approaching 10,000 units, and an installed base of over 60,000 units. The company’s 5 and 6 axis robots range from 3kg to 570kg payloads, and 635mm to 3700mm reach, all controlled from a common PC based controller platform. KUKA robots are utilized in a diverse range of industries including the appliance, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, logistics, food, pharmaceutical, medical, foundry and plastics industries. KUKA robots are found in a multitude of applications including: material handling, machine loading, assembly, packaging, palletizing, welding, bending, joining, and surface finishing. For more information contact KUKA Robotics at 866-873-5852 or visit their website at www.kukarobotics.com.

About KUKA Robot Group

KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg, is a member of the IWKA Aktiengesellschaft Group (Karlsruhe) and ranks among the world’s leading suppliers of industrial robots. Core competencies are the development, production and sale of industrial robots, controllers, software and linear units. The company is the market leader in Germany and Europe, and the number three in the world. The KUKA Robot Group employs about 2,000 people worldwide. Of these, 1,200 are employed in Germany, either at the KUKA Robot Group headquarters in Augsburg, or at various subsidiaries. In 2005, sales totaled 340 million euro. Over 20 subsidiaries provide a presence in the rest of Europe, the US and Asia.

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The KUKA logo is a registered trademark of KUKA Roboter GmbH. KUKA is a trademark of KUKA Roboter GmbH. All other trademarks are owned by their respective companies.

Any questions? We would be happy to help!

KUKA Robotics Corp.
Press and Industry Analysts Marketing Manager
Kevin Kozuszek
+ 1 248.819.0230 (voice)
+ 1 866.329.5852 (fax)
info@kukarobotics.com

This release was published on openPR.