Amatrol On Site at Gateway Technical's IMET

Gateway Technical College (GTC) is helping shape the workforce of tomorrow with its Smart Factory lab located at the SC Johnson Integrated Manufacturing and Engineering Technology (iMET) Center in Sturtevant, Wisconsin. As the first publicly funded technical college in the United States, GTC continues to lead by preparing students with the skills needed for Industry 4.0.

This advanced lab simulates a real-world production line where students gain hands-on experience in “lights out” manufacturing, automation, and data analytics. Learners work with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), industrial controllers, and smart sensors to understand how modern factories operate. By integrating connectivity and data analysis, the lab demonstrates how to unlock siloed information and apply it to real-world decision-making.

One of the lab’s most exciting features is its development of a digital twin—a virtual replica of the physical environment that collects and processes real-time data from robotics, machinery, and sensors. This allows students to explore artificial intelligence, advanced automation, and smart technologies that are rapidly transforming the manufacturing industry. By engaging with this innovative environment, students are better prepared to become the highly skilled employees industry partners need today and in the future.