Course Offerings

Entry-Level Mechatronics Technician

Interested in becoming a Mechanical Technician or Mechatronics Technician in an advanced manufacturing facility? This course serves as the fourth course in the Light Automation Technician Program and will cover foundational electrical, motor control, pneumatic, and mechanical drive 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

Gain a foundational understanding of electrical theory and how circuits work

Understand core aspects of electrical safety and how to apply it in real-world scenarios

Demonstrate understanding of electrical measurements

Explain the purposes of transformers, their applications and applicable sizes/types

Illustrate applications of three-phase power, its specific safety protocols and how it is used to power motors

Learn ladder logic elements and how they apply to programming PLCs

Outline pneumatic system components and their control mechanisms

Demonstrate knowledge of various mechanical drive systems, how to troubleshoot them and maintain equipment with integrated mechanical drive components

Outline of Instruction

Basic Electrical Circuits
Fundamentals of electricity, electrical safety/lock out tag out, electrical components and input/output devices

Electrical Measurements
Voltage measurement, current measurement, resistance measurement and series/parallel circuits

Transformers
Introduction, sizing and types

Introduction to Motor Control
Three-phase power, electrical safety, protective devices and three-phase motors

Ladder Logic
Diagram basics and logic elements

Pneumatic Power Systems
Introduction to pneumatics, pneumatic safety, pneumatic power, circuit connections and cylinder circuits

Basic Pneumatic Circuits
Flow control valves, speed control, DCV applications and pneumatic maintenance

Introduction to Mechanical Drives
Power system transmission safety, motor mounting, gear drives, V-belt drives and chain drives

Torque, Power and Efficiency
Machine loading, rotary power, mechanical efficiency and shaft torque

Power Transmission Systems
Shaft alignment, V-belt operation, chain drive operation, spur gear operation and system maintenance