The Enterprise Manufacturing Initiative (EMI) is currently funded by General Motors and is a cross Enterprise, collaborative group of students interested in learning more about manufacturing while enhancing the manufacturability of a project within their Enterprise team. The Initiative represents General Motors' continued support of manufacturing education at Michigan Tech and is open to any student enrolled in the Michigan Tech Enterprise program.
Participating students can expect to gain experience in engineering, design for manufacturability, flexible manufacturing processes and technologies, and evaluation of procurement options while learning more about manufacturing related career opportunities. Interested students may self-select or be appointed by their Enterprise advisor to take part in the Enterprise Manufacturing Initiative. Manufacturing engineers, subject matter technical experts (SMTE), and other industry veterans at General Motors are accessible to students working within the Initiative.
Talk to the Enterprise Program Office to learn more about the Enterprise Manufacturing Initiative.
Frequently Asked Questions
1
Enterprise is a multi-year educational program whereby student-driven, multidisciplinary teams work like companies on real-world client projects. The program is available to first-year through graduate-level students from any major. Team deliverables can include an innovative product, a pioneering solution, or a much-needed service. The hallmark of the Enterprise program is the experiential education it provides to students. More information is available here.
2
The Enterprise program is composed of student-led Enterprise teams mentored by faculty and staff advisors from various departments, schools, and colleges on campus. The Enterprise curriculum consists of project work (one or two credits per semester) and instructional modules or short courses (typically one credit) in various business, leadership, and technical topics. Students in the Enterprise program have the ability to earn an Enterprise Minor (18 credits) or an Enterprise Concentration (12 credits, available in most engineering departments). Many teams design, manufacture, and test their own designs and products completing an end to end project engineering experience. Some teams prepare designs for national competitions, and some projects take teams abroad. Students who join Enterprise choose a team with projects that align with their own personal and professional interests. A list of teams is available here.
3
The Enterprise Manufacturing Initiative funded by General Motors is a cross Enterprise, collaborative group composed of student representatives from participating Enterprise teams. The initiative seeks to increase the manufacturing skills among Enterprise students by incorporating design for manufacturing methods early in product design, forecasting market size, coordinating multidisciplinary design reviews, evaluating procurement options, qualifying potential suppliers, increasing exposure to the breadth of career options in manufacturing, and exploring the development and application of manufacturing processes and technologies.
4
Enterprise teams who are represented in the Enterprise Manufacturing Initiative funded by General Motors can benefit through scheduled cross Enterprise and Industry/Enterprise design reviews, collective procurement of materials and components, market analysis assistance, and assistance in obtaining manufactured components or assemblies that are on time, within budget and per print. Enterprise teams with active representation who follow the design recommendations can qualify for project funding for manufacturing support. Participating Enterprise teams will also build up the manufacturing skills among team members that will contribute to long term Enterprise team success.
5
Enterprise students who participate in the initiative can expect to gain resume-building experience in design for manufacturability, flexible manufacturing, procurement, project management, by contributing to multiple Enterprise projects at various stages. Students will actively explore and be exposed to recent improvements in machining and welding of state of the art materials, machine controls and additive manufacturing. In addition to connecting with industry experts at GM, students will contribute to the overall goal of the Enterprise team they represent and be better prepared to move into leadership roles within their Enterprise team.
6
Yes. Participating students remain on their Enterprise team. The Enterprise Manufacturing Initiative funded by General Motors is a cross Enterprise, collaborative group of students representing their chosen Enterprise team. For example, a Velovations Enterprise student who participates in the Initiative remains a Velovations Enterprise team member, they represent a Velovations project while contributing to other Enterprise team projects.
7
Students participating in the Enterprise Manufacturing Initiative funded by General Motors will primarily work on the project they represent for their Enterprise team but will also contribute to other manufacturing initiative projects in order to fully benefit from the experience. Students will need to write a regular, brief update to the project sponsor and the student's Enterprise advisor, attend weekly Initiative group meetings and potentially take part in design reviews. Participation in the Enterprise Manufacturing Initiative funded by General Motors shouldn't increase the student's Enterprise workload. Interested students should talk with their Enterprise advisor and representatives from the Enterprise Program Office to solidify a plan.
8
No. The Enterprise program is open to all majors on campus and participation in the Enterprise Manufacturing Initiative funded by the GM Foundation will be open to any Enterprise student with Enterprise advisor approval.
9
No. The Enterprise Manufacturing Initiative funded by General Motors is open to any Enterprise team. Internal Enterprise team projects (versus external sponsored projects) will be evaluated at the start of the semester by the students within the initiative but the projects do not have to be automotive related.
10
Yes. A student participating in the Enterprise Manufacturing Initiative funded by General Motors is still part of their Enterprise team. The regular, written update to the advisor along with any other advisor requirements contribute to the student's grade.