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	In conjunction with the departmental focus on systems engineering and information systems, departmental laboratories are integrated using information technology into a single “virtual enterprise.” The enterprise system allows all laboratories and centers to use common database(s) and similarly functioning application programs as if they were separate operations within a single manufacturing or service supply chain. The Industrial and Systems Engineering Department currently maintains 10 laboratories totaling 6,578 square feet of space. Two additional research laboratories are maintained in the Interdisciplinary Research Center. Existing departmental laboratories are spread among three adjacent buildings (Cherry, Graham, and McNair Halls), providing an ideal facility for the enterprise. Laboratories are connected through a high-speed network. The enterprise serves to teach students about systems engineering and information systems through visual learning and practical experience. The virtual enterprise serves as a primary integrator uniting the curriculum. Laboratories previously used for isolated tasks will now function as different departments within an integrated enterprise. Students will understand the data and process models used as the basis for the integration. Students will learn the systemic elements of businesses, as the laboratories manufacture products (such as clocks and disposable cameras) and perform services (such as freight, warehousing, and transportation). Specifically, laboratories have been converted to teaching centers for the described functions: Product, Process, and Facility Design Systems Laboratory (203 Cherry) The mission of this laboratory is to instruct students in solid modeling of products with finite element analysis, computer aided design, computer aided manufacturing, computer aided process planning, process testing, facility layout and location, and material handling system design. This laboratory is equipped with an IBM 7540 robot with TECHNOVATE Robotic Workcell, Feedback Serpent SCARA Robot, Cognex Camera and Vision System, RHINO Mark II Robot, MICROBOT Minimover, Z-Corp rapid prototype 3D printer, and high speed personal computers with Access to AutoCAD, Mechanical Desktop, Solid Edge, ProEngineer, FactoryCAD, and FactoryFlow. Manufacturing Processes and Systems Laboratory (206 Cherry) This laboratory offers a unique research and educational opportunity for a wide variety of manufacturing processes such as: metalworking including machining, casting, and fabrication, plastics including machining, molding and extrusion, electronics. Machines are available for students to use with manual and automatic controls. Computer-based quality control tools are available to study product quality and perform parametric analysis. An extensive multimedia library shows many manufacturing processes for visual learning. Major equipment in this laboratory includes Amatrol Plastics Manufacturing System for Blow Molding, Extrusion Molding, and Injection Molding, Articulated Arm CMM, Mitutoyo Computer SPC Metrology System, MICROBOT CIM System, EMCO Compact 5 CNC lathe, EMCO Unimat PC DCC lathe, Jet bandsaw, and ZYCO Laser Telemetric System. Several high speed PCs are connected to the virtual enterprise and are able to run CNC code generating software. Human Machine Interface and Control Systems Laboratory (102 Graham) This laboratory has six Allen-Bradley Programmable Logic Controllers and software for sequential control. In addition, the laboratory has table-top simulators that can be controlled and integrated using Programmable Controllers. Also housed in this laboratory are computer and software to develop industrial man-machine interfaces that can connect to manufacturing information systems. Several high speed PCs are connected to the virtual enterprise with software for PLC and PC based control systems, motion control systems, operator interface development and SCADA development.