Course Offerings

Interested in becoming an Automation Technician or Mechatronics Technician? This course serves as the third course in the Light Automation Technician Program and will cover three-phase electrical systems, pneumatic systems, PLCs, and robotic concepts. This course, when completed along with the other courses in the program, will help prepare students for the industry-recognized SACA Certified Industry 4.0 Associate certification.

Course Objectives

1. Learn three-phase power in the context of automated manufacturing systems
2. Develop an understanding of how pneumatic systems work and how to troubleshoot those systems
3. Integrate an understanding of ladder logic into pneumatically-operated manufacturing systems
4. Set up PLCs to control robotic systems and communicate to multiple devices
5. Describe various types of robotic systems and how they are employed in automated manufacturing environments
6. Employ PLC programs to control robotic systems

Outline of Instruction

- Introduction to Motor Control
o Three-Phase Power
o Electrical Safety
o Protective Devices
o Three-Phase Motors
- Ladder Logic
o Diagram Basics
o Logic Elements
- Pneumatic Power Systems
o Introduction to Pneumatics and Safety
o Pneumatic Power
o Circuit Connections
o Cylinder Circuits
- Basic Pneumatic Circuits
o Flow Control Valves
o Speed Control
o DCV Applications
o Pneumatic Maintenance
- Introduction to PLCs
o Introduction to PLC Architecture
o Data Communications
o Industrial Networks
o Ethernet TCP/IP Operations
o PC-PLC Connections
o Network Addressing
o RSLinx Communications
o Configure IP Addresses
- PLC Operation
o Basic Operation
o Program Operations
o Memory Organization
o Counters
o Timers
o Subroutines
o Event Sequencing
o Program Analysis
- Introduction to Robots
o Basic Robot/Cobot Systems
o Controllers
o Applications
o Mechanical Units
o Battery Systems
o Jogging
o 6-Axis Robot Operation
o Configuration
o Program Validation

Contact Hours

96

CEUs

No

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

Certification

SACA Certified Industry 4.0 Associate

Website

saca.org

Certification Learning Outcomes/Requirements

1. Basic Operations
2. Advanced Operations
3. Robot System Operations
4. IIoT, Networking and Data Analysis

CE or CU Articulation

No

Prerequisites

None.

Learning Supplies Needed

Student guides, collaborative robots, pneumatics trainers, robotics systems training panels, PLC trainers, and associated tools and equipment.

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

Advanced Manufacturing Center; 8 Fanuc ER-4iA industrial robots.

Requirements for Successful Completion

90% attendance
Completion of all assigned tasks and evaluations with a score of 70% or higher.

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

N/A

Intended Audience

Anyone seeking to gain foundational knowledge in how PLCs and robotics are used in automated manufacturing facilities and/or gain employment as a technician in an automated manufacturing facility.

Specific Industry or Business Support Needs

Electrical Technician; Mechanical Technician; Automation Technician; Maintenance Technician

Wake County Need for Industry Positions

This is a skills gap area for light manufacturing in Wake County that is dependent on skilled technicians to keep manufacturing systems operating.

Industry or Job Titles Related to Training Outcomes for Employment

Electrical Technician

Mechanical Technician

Automation Technician

Maintenance Technician

Related Courses

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