Engineering, architecture and information technology students will use the new lab which is complete with ABB’s System 800xA control system, IRB 120 industrial robot and drives packages.
The university will run courses each year with ABB guest lecturers, giving a minimum of 120 students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience with the System 800xA and automation equipment in areas such as control engineering, mine ventilation and mine management.
One of the two ABB drives packages consists of an ACS800 variable speed drives and AC motors.
Another combines ABB’s DCS800 VSD with a Baldor DC motor and gives students exposure to the capabilities of these devices and knowledge in how they can be applied to reduce energy consumption across a variety of mining applications.
Undergraduate scholarships for low socioeconomic or indigenous students have also been provided.
ABB also committed to awarding a minimum of one three-year scholarship annually, which will give students the opportunity to complete higher learning at the University of Queensland.
The opening ceremony was attended by UQ professors Graham Schaffer, David Mee, Peter Knights and Ross McAree, ABB country manager Axel Kuhr and BHP Billiton global account manager for ABB Regina Roos.
ABB will sponsor a number of full-time research higher degree students with scholarships, as well as offering paid internships over the lifetime of the sponsorship.
“ABB is excited about the future of engineering in Australia,” Kuhr said.
“We see the opportunity to work closely with the UQ as rewarding for both the students and ABB.
"The interns can expect wide exposure to different process and automation applications during their time with ABB.
"Our vision for this collaboration is to help the university develop industry-ready, highly skilled and globally focused graduates."
Mining Education Australia executive director and UQ mechanical and mining Professor Peter Knights said the association with ABB allowed UQ to collaborate with a world leader in power and automation technologies.
“The equipment donation to the laboratory will enable students to gain hands-on experience related to the design, construction and testing of their innovations,” Knights said.
