Material Handling Laboratory

The Material Handling Laboratory is a state-of-the-art facility containing over two hundred thousand dollars worth of modern manufacturing equipment. The laboratory provides an exemplary environment for undergraduate and graduate level instruction, masters and doctoral thesis research, and externally funded research. The laboratory houses a fullscale Hytrol conveyor system consisting of both a linear and a circular component with integrated barcode technology. A horizontal storage carousel serves as an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) to the conveyor system. The material handling and storage machinery are controlled with cutting edge Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) that allow students to simulate and develop digital and analog control models. A variety of hands-on experiences with this equipment are included in courses offered by the department.

Recently, the department upgraded the laboratory with state-of-the-art RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) equipment creating an exciting new environment for both teaching and research. Several types of antennae, high-performance multi-protocol readers, a RFID tag printer and software have been installed for the students to use in conjunction with previously existing material handling equipment. The lab is now equiped for testing various applications of RFID.