Hytrol, Arkansas State partner for material handling research

Arkansas State University has dedicated the Hytrol Materials Handling Laboratory on campus, the organizations said January 10

Hytrol donated conveyors for the new lab, which is located in the Arkansas Biosciences Institute and builds on the Jonesboro, Ark.-based company's longstanding partnership with the university, Hytrol said.

The system contains accumulation, sortation and transport conveyors that provide mechanical and electrical engineering students with "the real-world tools and experience to enter a career in the material handling field," the organizations said. The system also includes programmable logic controls, allowing students to learn about product timing and sequencing.

"This lab represents Hytrol's promise to our community—it gives us the chance to fulfill our mission, vision and demonstrate our values," Hytrol President David Peacock said in a prepared statement. "We can explore ways to improve the quality of life locally, nationally and around the world. This lab gives Hytrol that connection to the young men and women of A-State seeking to make a difference."

Hytrol and A-State said the lab also is a place where students and faculty can collaborate on material handling research. The university recently received an R-2 designation by the Carnegie Foundation, indicating its high research activity.

"This collaboration is a great illustration of how A-State fulfills our R-2 designation,"said A-State Chancellor Kelly Damphousse. "These types of hands-on teaching tools bring the real world into our classrooms. And with this teaching tool, our students and faculty can imagine concepts and ideas that may lead to new material handling solutions."

The system is a loop containing 48 feet of conveyor, utilizes Hytrol's E24 Volt motors and features EZLogic accumulation technology. The system will be updated as technology advances to keep students learning on the latest equipment, Hytrol said.