THE STORY OF A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ECAM LASALLE AND HAAS AUTOMATION
The partnership between ECAM LaSalle and Haas Automation is a story of innovation and collaboration aimed at advancing industrial education and technology in France and beyond.
Since the establishment of Inexo, France's first training factory in 2008, ECAM LaSalle has continuously expanded its educational offerings to support the significant technological and organizational changes in industries. The engineering school envisioned creating a cutting-edge educational facility on its Lyon campus that would integrate Industry 4.0 advancements.
Simultaneously, Haas Automation, a leading manufacturer of CNC machine tools in the United States, sought a prestigious university partner in France to establish a training center for its clients, specializing in machining industries.
In 2019, the Gene Haas Foundation initiated its first European project integrating training and innovation near Parma, Italy. Building on this success, in 2020, Haas France – Performer CNC supported ECAM LaSalle's proposal with the backing of Gene Haas and his Foundation. The compelling vision and educational philosophy of ECAM LaSalle resonated with Haas Automation's teams, leading to the establishment of the Gene Haas Center - ECAM LaSalle. This center stands as the first of its kind in Europe, showcasing advanced Industry 4.0 technologies.
The choice of Lyon and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, known for its industrial prowess, further reinforced Haas Automation's decision to partner with ECAM LaSalle for this groundbreaking initiative in France.
This partnership is rooted in a shared belief in the importance of nurturing new talent and equipping young professionals with the skills necessary to tackle industrial challenges. Engineering education must evolve to meet the demands of industry, staying at the forefront of technological advancements and fostering innovation in collaboration with businesses.
MORE THAN AN EXPERIMENTAL CENTER, A REAL PMI ON THE LYON CAMPUS!
Understanding technology and anticipating developments, collaborating with experts to envision optimal solutions—these are essential elements of the educational scenario anchored at the Gene Haas Center. Functioning like a PMI (Small and Medium Enterprise), it enables the design, manufacturing, and marketing of connected and personalized products. This 4.0 educational package includes a FabLab, a mechanical prototyping workshop, and an industrialization and supply chain workshop.
AN ULTRA-COMPETITIVE PRECISION MECHANICS WORKSHOP FOR A HIGHLY BUSINESS-ORIENTATED PLATFORM
The Gene Haas Center features state-of-the-art equipment, including approximately ten machines capable of:
- Machining and inspecting parts with complex shapes in difficult-to-machine materials (such as those used in aerospace and space industries).
- Producing small, medium, and large series with high quality at reduced costs.
Ensuring short deadlines with equipment capable of continuous operation, 24/7, without requiring human presence on site.
AN UPDATED TOOL FOR PROMOTING EXPERIMENTATION
For safety reasons, all machine operations are supervised by technicians. Haas machines facilitate exploration of numerous issues—both related to Haas technologies and independent challenges—allowing practical work and tutorials in a real-world environment. They support serious games that encourage students to delve deeper into industrial problems and create educational demonstrations. The establishment of this platform on the Lyon campus provides ECAM LaSalle students with advanced training opportunities on cutting-edge technologies, preparing them to propose innovative solutions to future employers quickly.
"At ECAM LaSalle, a fundamental principle guides us: technology serves people! We aim to educate engineers with a holistic perspective that integrates complex technological systems and emphasizes human relationships," adds Didier Desplanche.
Finally, the inauguration of the Gene Haas Center in Lyon marks the beginning of a larger project: this Industry 4.0 platform, complemented by workshops that emulate a true industry environment, will have its digital twin in the coming years. This ambitious endeavor serves as both a teaching tool and a platform for developing new pedagogical approaches. As emphasized by the Haas-Performer and ECAM LaSalle teams, this inauguration is just the start of a collaborative journey of innovation.
OUR TEAM
Nicolas CARON
Associate Professor Mechanical Design and Manufacturing, Engineer
Nicolas has been with ECAM LaSalle for four years, dedicating his efforts to creating the Gene Haas Center and collaborating with the local Haas Factory Outlet, Performer CNC. He teaches students both in the classroom and on CNC machines, ensuring they gain practical and theoretical knowledge.
Marc LECOMTE
Technician
Marc has been a dedicated member of ECAM LaSalle for four years. He has played a role in establishing the Gene Haas Center and continues to actively engage with students daily. His responsibilities include overseeing CNC machine projects, both independently and with students, maintaining the machinery, and contributing to industrial research.
Corentin BARGE
Technician
Corentin has been with ECAM LaSalle since September 2023. He specializes in working with CNC machines to create projects and prototypes for the manufacturing industry.
