STC Celebrates first Robotics Graduates from Texas A&M at McAllen

A diverse background in audio and visual technology has allowed Jonathan Rodriguez to expand his knowledge in the field of robotics.

Long accustomed to working with elements of AV, including robotic stage lighting and technology, a new program at South Texas College is giving him insight into how this technology is being made, along with its operation and programming.   

“This is a great opportunity for me to get hands-on experience, especially with FANUC robots, which are very popular in industry. I received a great opportunity to do that here at STC,” said Rodriguez, a student at Texas A&M University Higher Education Center in McAllen. “I have always loved tinkering with different types of technology, and while I was very good at breaking things, the turning point came when I actually had to learn to put them back together. This is how engineering came into my life and I moved forward with it and never looked back.”

Rodriguez was one of two students, along with classmate Kassie J. Juarez, who earned their certification as Fuji Automatic Numerical Control (FANUC) robot operators from South Texas College. 

STC held a special recognition ceremony for the students Feb. 4 at the college’s Technology Campus.

In attendance at the ceremony was STC President Dr. Ricardo J. Solis; Rick Margo, director of Texas A&M Higher Education Center in McAllen; and Dr. Adolfo Santos, assistant provost and vice president for Institutional Advancement at Texas A&M University Higher Education Center. Attending on behalf of STC’s Board of Trustees was Vice Chair Dr. Alejo Salinas Jr.

The 64-hour course prepared the students to earn a national certification as Level 1 FANUC Robot Operators. The program is intended to enhance student learning as well as provide training with real-world industrial robots.

As part of the testing process, the students underwent a three-hour, 150-multiple-choice exam which covered everything from maintenance of the robotics, operating procedures, motor attachment and digital input.

“I wanted to emphasize how we are seeing this transformation move very rapidly. We are seeing that companies are now requiring us to move even faster where we set up quicker, with shorter certificates and diplomas, which is going to require very innovative partnerships like we have with Texas A&M,” Dr. Solis said. “We are going to have to change our mentality. No longer are we looking at the four or five-year degrees like we have been used to. That’s no longer going to exist. We are going to have to be very innovative because our students don’t have the patience, but rather want to get into the skilled workforce as soon as possible.”

One year after the arrival of FANUC at STC in Jan. 2021, STC continues to meet the increasing demand of manufacturers seeking knowledge and skills to support production. It was the culmination of a project that begin in 2016 when STC’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (IAM) began looking at robots from FANUC in order to grow automation and robotics. In 2017, the Institute began the certification process in order to become a testing site. 

FANUC is a leading supplier of robots, computer control systems, and factory automation, with products used by manufacturers in industries worldwide.

The addition of FANUC robots at STC increases specialized training opportunities to technology-dependent sectors of the manufacturing industry. It is also a boon to existing business partners in the Rio Grande Valley, as well as prospective businesses considering relocating to the region which utilize FANUC in their facilities.

Until the new facility at STC was developed, there was only one FANUC-certified training facility south of Houston.

“This is one of the most important certifications available not only in the United States, but throughout the world,” said Carlos Martinez, STC training specialist with IAM who is a veteran of industry, having worked for decades in manufacturing.

Martinez said he personally reached out to Paul Aiello, director of Certifications, Sales, and Operations at FANUC when working to bring the company to STC.

There are currently more than 200 maquiladoras in the region spanning from Laredo to Matamoros utilizing upwards of 2000 FANUC robots assembling various products, Martinez said. 

“Right now, there is a huge gap of certified FANUC technical personnel,” Martinez said. “By contacting (Paul) Aiello personally I was able to explain to him the opportunity FANUC had in the Rio Grande Valley.”

STC instructors Erika Guerra, Felix Zamarripa and Ernesto Avila possess the certification, and are currently teaching FANUC Operator Level 1 training to local industry partners through the college’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (IAM/ITED).

FANUC, along with the requisite specialized instructor training in advanced programming, enables STC’s Advanced Robotics Industrial Automation Program at IAM to be the only fully integrated Industry 4.0 lab in the state of Texas, as well as certified FANUC Training Center.

“Today we recognized and celebrate the accomplishments of these students who received these very important certifications,” said Dr. Carlos Margo, STC Associate Dean of Industry Training and Economic Development. “These are lifelong certifications that will ultimately make them more marketable. This adds yet another layer of value to what we are offering to the workforce.”

For more information about STC’s Advanced Manufacturing Program please visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu/manufacturing/. For more information about IAM please visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu/cpit/iam.html.