The Mechanical Engineering machine shop will be renamed and outfitted with the latest technologies in additive manufacturing.
Students in the Texas Tech University Department of Mechanical Engineering will soon benefit from the latest technologies in additive manufacturing through the CB&I Advanced Prototyping and Manufacturing Laboratory made possible by a $1.6 million gift from CB&I.
“Investments in research and educational opportunities pay dividends in the future, and we truly appreciate the commitment of CB&I to our future engineers and leaders,” Texas Tech President M. Duane Nellis said. “Hands-on participation in research and the opportunity to actually put ideas to work provide a valuable learning experience for our students.”
Formerly known as the machine shop, the CB&I Advanced Prototyping and Manufacturing Laboratory will allow students the opportunity to develop the tactile and functional understanding of mechanical and theoretical principles that will make them better engineers. Students will have access to state-of-the-art technologies in additive manufacturing such as 3-D printing. Through additive manufacturing, people are brought closer to products and challenges are solved in new ways.
Along with the new equipment, the lab space will be upgraded to enhance student learning experience.
“Texas Tech's engineering program has a strong track record of preparing its students for success,” said Philip K. Asherman, CB&I's president and chief executive officer. “Through this partnership, we are helping build a learning environment that will foster engineering innovation and produce the future leaders of our industry.”
The Department of Mechanical Engineering is the largest in the Whitacre College of Engineering and is among the top U.S. programs in the awarding of mechanical engineering undergraduate degrees. As a leading educator of industry-ready mechanical engineers, Texas Tech prepares mechanical engineering students and graduates who have a reputation of high academic skills in engineering, math and science. Industry employers report that Red Raider engineers have the strong work ethic and emotional intelligence necessary in today's office environment and field atmosphere.
“This gift from CB&I will help the mechanical engineering department train the manufacturing engineers and innovative leaders of the future,” said Al Sacco Jr., dean of the Whitacre College of Engineering. “It marks the beginning of a new phase in an existing fruitful partnership with CB&I, a company that has been hiring our students for many years.”
About CB&I
CB&I (NYSE: CBI) is the most complete energy infrastructure-focused company in the
world. With 125 years of experience and the expertise of approximately 54,000 employees,
CB&I provides reliable solutions while maintaining a relentless focus on safety and
an uncompromising standard of quality.