Upstate Center for Manufacturing Excellence

About the William H. "Billy" O'Dell Upstate Center for Manufacturing Excellence

The William H. "Billy" O'Dell Upstate Center for Manufacturing Excellence is a marvel of industrial design that includes state-of-the-art equipment and a minimalist layout featuring wide corridors and windows into classrooms for non-intrusive outside observation.

Named for the late Sen. William H. “Billy” O’Dell, the 45,000-square-foot O’Dell Center houses a 45-booth welding workshop, a robotics lab, classrooms, and fully outfitted mechatronics and machine tool labs. The new facility also includes generous flexible space to serve emerging workforce development needs in partnership with area businesses.

Street Address: 610 Emerald Road South, Greenwood SC, 29646

Academic Programs At A Glance

Mechatronics Technology

Piedmont Technical College’s Mechatronics program offers a comprehensive education that combines elements of electronics, pneumatics, fluid power, hydraulics, mechanics, IT, computers and robotics. With instruction in Mechatronics, you’ll be prepared for the modern, automated workforce that prepares individuals for a career as a production technician, industrial electrician, electrical maintenance technician, or robotics/automation technician.

Credentials Offered
  • Electrical Maintenance Technician, Certificate
  • Introduction to Automation, Certificate
  • Manufacturing Production Technician, Certificate
  • Mechatronics Technology I, Certificate
  • Mechatronics Technology, A.A.S.
Robotics Lab (203 GU)
  • Equipped with several ABB Robots allowing students to train on equipment commonly used in the manufacturing environment
  • MPS (Modular Production System) FESTO trainer which provides students with an overview of an automation system in a real-world environment.
Basic Electrical Lab (204 GU)
  • Students learn to use and read multimeters
  • Students learn the basics and foundations of electrical components
  • Students learn AC/DC circuits and the fundamentals of electricity
Moto Controls Lab (106GU)
  • Students learn the foundations of wiring motors along with how to program and troubleshoot PLCs
  • Students learn about process controls and motor controls
Mechanical Lab (500 GU)
  • Students learn about hydraulics, pneumatics, and industrial power applications
  • Students also learn about the foundations of shafts, belts, chains, and gears and how to troubleshoot the equipment
Welding

Welding plays a critical role in the strength and durability of everything from cars to heavy industrial machinery to bridges. In Piedmont Tech’s welding program, you’ll learn to weld in the four main positions on both structured steel and pipe.

Credentials Offered
  • Advanced Welding, Certificate
  • Basic Welding, Certificate
  • General Technology, Welding Concentration, A.A.S.
  • MIG Welding, Certificate
  • STICK Welding, Certificate
  • TIG Welding, Certificate
  • Welding, D.A.S.
Welding Lab (401 GU)
  • 45 welding booths
  • All three welding processes (MIG, STICK, and TIG welding) can be performed in each booth without changing the equipment
  • Fabrication course has been added for Fall 2022 to give students more hands-on experience with the fabrication process
  • Approved for outdoor welding lab
Machine Tool Technology

The skills taught in the machine tool program are in constant demand in our region, and all over the country. Graduates will find that their employment prospects are excellent. You’ll get a full introduction to the field and practical experience in machining operations used in practically every manufacturing industry. Students are learning to create the parts that make equipment and technology work properly.

Credentials Offered
  • Machine Tool Operator Cert (Manual cert. 25 Hrs.)
  • Precision Metrology Cert (Quality cert. 17 Hrs.)
  • Computerized Numerical Control (CNC 19 Hrs.)
  • Machine Tool Diploma (40 Hrs.)
  • Machine Tool Degree (65 Hrs.)
Machine Tool Technology Lab (300GU & 302GU)
  • Two Coordinate measuring machines (CMM)
  • 17 Manual lathes fitted with newest digital read out (DRO)
  • 13 Manual mills fitted with newest digital read out (DRO)
  • 9 CNC machines
  • 32 HAAS simulators
  • 3D Printer
Students in the machine tool technology program also learning various concepts in the following areas:
  • Computer Numerical Control (CNC)
  • Quality Control
  • Manual grinding and machining
  • Mastercam (CAD CAM)
  • Coordinate measuring machine (CMM)
  • (CMM) Software: M-COSMOS at Greenwood and Calypso at LCAM
Flex Space

For companies that need to conduct specialized training or use specific equipment, the college has dedicated, flex space available for this purpose.

  • Two spaces available
    • 502GU – 1,892 square feet
    • 504GU – 1,626 square feet
  • Full SmartRoom functionality (Projectors, Podiums and Wacom Screens)
  • Each room equipped with an eye washing station

Take a Virtual Tour

About Senator O’Dell

Senator Billy O’Dell was born in Ware Shoals and served in the Senate from 1988 until 2016, representing District No. 4 in Abbeville, Anderson and Greenwood counties. He was very active in the communities he served. Senator O’Dell received numerous honors on behalf of his diligence in the community. During his nearly 28 years of public service, O’Dell was a staunch advocate for technical education and, particularly, for Piedmont Technical College. Because of his years of support, the college named the newly constructed William H. “Billy” O’Dell Upstate Center for Manufacturing Excellence in his honor.