Student Emerita Webb holds an aluminum piece designed and machined at the center during the event. Photo by Catherine Hardee / Neuse News

Robots and the students who programmed them got the chance to shine on Saturday.

Lenoir Community College’s Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Center, located at the NC Global Transpark on Highway 58 North in Kinston, opened its doors to the public Saturday for tours, with students and faculty on hand to provide demonstrations.

Students who are members of the Advanced Manufacturing Club had programmed robotic vehicles to navigate a maze and a robotic arm to sink a putt. Visitors also got to see demonstrations of computer-integrated machining, pneumatics, and 3-D printing. 

At the end of the tour, attendees were treated to a free barbecue dinner. 

Matthew Berg, who is the director of the center, said he hoped to raise awareness and interest in the community with the event, and also recruit students to apply for summer and fall classes at the center. 

“We want people to come in and see the center. We can do stuff virtually all day long, but if you can come in and put your hands on it, and see it, that gets you excited,” Berg said. 

Currently, around 120 students take classes weekly at the center, in programs geared toward manufacturing and aerospace careers, including computer engineering, mechanical engineering, computer-integrated machining and industrial systems. 

LCC President Dr. Rusty Hunt was also present at the event, and he said he was thrilled to be bringing wider awareness to the community about the center and the opportunities it presents for students in the area.  

“To have a state of the art facility like we have, and the equipment that we have in here is really top-notch, and one of the best in the United States, I would argue, so the opportunities for our students here to get high-paying jobs and great careers, right here in Lenoir County, it’s just exciting,” Hunt said.  

Berg said anyone who is interested in the opportunities available at the center doesn’t have to wait for the next event. 

“I give tours five days a week. If you come in, someone will be more than happy to give you a tour, or you can reach out to me and we can set up something that works well for them,” Berg said. 

For more information about the Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Center, contact Matthew Berg at (252) 527-6223, ext. 606, or via email at mcberg45@lenoircc.edu.