ESEG students visit a motor and industrial equipment factory on a technical visit.

The students of Production Engineering courses Students from the Computer Engineering department of ESEG College, part of the Etapa Group, participated in a technical visit to... NORD Drivesystems Brazil, with the aim of bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the industrial environment.

The activity was designed to provide students with an immersion in a reality that is often difficult to understand solely within the classroom.

According to the coordinator of the Engineering courses, Fernando Kakugawa, the students learned about the company's history and its main products, such as motors, gearboxes, geared motors, power inverters, and controllers. From this, they were able to understand where and how these solutions are applied in industry.

“"During the event, the students closely observed the manufacturing processes and the dynamics of how a factory operates, exploring everything from planning to production execution," said the coordinator.

One of the main focuses of the visit was to demonstrate, in practice, how the concepts taught in the classroom are applied in the day-to-day operations of the industry.

Even though the company's final product is not directly linked to the courses, the production processes presented are directly related to the students' areas of study.

During the experience, it was possible to observe central themes of Production Engineering, such as organization, planning and optimization of processes, in addition to production planning and control (PPC).

For students of Computer Engineering course, It became evident that computer systems play an essential role in supporting operational efficiency.

The program also included an introductory lecture led by NORD professionals, who presented not only the company's products and structure, but also the technological systems used to support manufacturing.

MES, SCADA, PID control, and Ishikawa diagram seen in practice.

For Aline Bueno da Silva Cruz, a 5th-semester Production Engineering student, the visit was an opportunity to see, in practice, the content studied throughout the course.

“The technical visit was a very enriching experience, mainly because it allowed me to practically connect the content I'm learning this semester. We had the opportunity to learn about everything from production management to the factory floor, following the processes step by step,” he emphasizes.

She also highlights the contact with technologies and methodologies used in the industrial environment: “It was very interesting to recognize systems such as MES, SCADA and PID control being applied, in addition to observing the automation in production orders and better understanding the dynamics of production planning and control within the company,” added Aline.

Another point that caught the student's attention was the use of analysis tools, such as the Ishikawa diagram, in addition to the in-depth knowledge of products such as geared motors, electric motors, and frequency inverters.

A broader perspective on an engineering career.

The experience also directly impacted how the students view their future professional roles. For Natalia Souza, a 5th-semester Production Engineering student, the visit was essential to understanding the breadth of the field.

“The visit was an incredible experience, especially because it was the first opportunity to experience, in practice, concepts that I only knew theoretically. It was very enriching to leave the classroom and observe how everything works in reality,” she says.

She also highlights that she managed to connect the different disciplines of the course within the same practical context, linked to Industry 4.0, such as HMI, PDI, SCADA and MES, in addition to understanding production environments and industrial layout.

“The visit greatly broadened my perspective on the role of a production engineer. I realized it's a field with diverse possibilities, involving strategy, technology, and a direct impact on people's lives,” adds Natalia.

ESEG College connected with the market

Initiatives like this reinforce the commitment of ESEG College to offer training aligned with market demands, connecting theory and practice in a consistent manner.

By experiencing the industrial environment and interacting with professionals in the field, students are able to understand, in practice, the relevance of the content studied.

More than just a visit, the experience represents an important step in building a solid professional career, prepared for the challenges of the future.