Course Offerings

Mechatronics Technologist

This training course is designed to meet industry demands for highly skilled technicians in the mechatronics field through instruction that leads to competency-based certifications. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be equipped to work in a manufacturing environment and earn SACA (Smart Automation Certification Alliance) micro-credentials in the following areas: Electrical Systems, Motor Control Systems, Pneumatic Systems and Mechanical Power Systems.

Course Objectives

By completing this course, the student will earn SACA credentials and will be prepared for employment in advanced manufacturing facilities that utilize smart manufacturing principles.

C-201 Electrical Systems 1
Prepares individuals to connect, adjust, operate, troubleshoot and analyze electrical circuits using basic electrical components: resistors, capacitors, inductors, DC motors, solenoids, manual switches, relays, fuses, circuit breakers, transformers and indicators. Other key skills include adhering to electrical safety rules, reading electrical circuit diagrams, applying Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff's Law, using digital multimeters, interpreting series/parallel circuits and assessing power/circuit protection.

C-202 Electric Motor Control Systems 1
Prepares individuals to connect, adjust and operate electrical motor control circuits using these electrical components: 3-phase AC motors, reversing magnetic motor starters with overloads, drum switches, control relays, timer relays, push-button switches, selector switches, limit switches, pressure switches and float switches. Other key skills include adhering to motor control safety rules, reading ladder logic circuit diagrams, checking for proper ground connections, wiring motors for high and low voltage and interpreting common motor control application circuits.

C-209 Pneumatic Systems 1
Prepares individuals to connect, adjust, operate and analyze pneumatic circuits using these components: quick-connect fittings, tee and cross fittings, air compressors, filters, regulators, lubricators, gauges, rotameters, directional control valves, flow control valves, check valves, cylinders and motors. Other key skills include adhering to pneumatic safety rules, reading pneumatic circuit symbols and diagrams, applying the Force-Pressure-Area formula, converting absolute/gauge pressure units, performing reciprocating compressor startup/shutdown, applying Pascal's Law, setting pressure switch, filter draining, setting lubricator rate, lubricator refilling and measuring delta P.

C-304 Pneumatic Troubleshooting 1
Prepares individuals to troubleshoot and remedy faults in electro-pneumatic PLC-controlled systems. Skills include adhering to troubleshooting safety rules, systems troubleshooting, component testing and using digital multimeters and status indicators. Components include filters, regulators, lubricators, solenoid-operated directional control valves, flow control valves, vacuum generators, vacuum cups, vacuum switches, quick exhaust valves, limit switches, electronic sensors, PLC I/O modules, check valves, cylinders and motors.

C-207 Programmable Controller Systems 1
Prepares individuals to program, configuration, adjust, monitor and operate industrial programmable logic controller (PLC) systems. Key skills include adhering to PLC safety rules, performing normal startup/shutdown, operating PLC in different modes, performing emergency shutdown and reset, monitoring for proper operation through indicators and PC-based PLC software, configuring processor software drivers for communication to a PC, configuring and loading of HMI programs, operating HMI with PLC, configuring PLC discrete I/O, transferring programs between PC and PLC processor, interpreting basic and intermediate level PLC ladder logic programs (with contacts, coils, timers, counters, math, comparison instructions), PLC project creation/editing, and interpreting common PLC program logic applications using electro-pneumatic actuators and on/off motor control systems.

C-210 Mechanical Power Systems I
Prepares individuals to install, adjust, align, tension, operate and analyze basic mechanical power transmission drive systems using these components: motors, shafts, flexible jaw couplings, fractional horsepower (FHP) chain drives, FHP V-belt drives, spur gear drives, pillow block bearings and flange bearings. Other key skills include adhering to mechanical drive safety rules, mounting and leveling motors, testing and correcting for soft foot, installing components and shafts with keyways, sizing keys, aligning shafts using feeler-gauge and straight-edge method, calculating speed and torque from component size ratios, interpreting rotary power specifications, determining mechanical efficiency, greasing bearings using a grease gun, refilling oil lubrication reservoirs, interpreting lubrication specifications and identifying component given a model number.

C-301 Mechanical Power Systems 2
Prepares individuals to install, adjust, align, tension, operate, troubleshoot, maintain and analyze heavy-duty mechanical power transmission drive systems using these components: motors, shafts, gear/grid/flange couplings, QD/taper lock/split taper bushings, multiple belt/timing/HTD belt drives, and heavy duty/silent chain drives. Other key skills include adhering to mechanical drive troubleshooting safety rules, performing reverse dial indicator shaft alignment, identifying components given a model number, selecting/sizing components for a given application and identifying/correcting component wear.

Outline of Instruction

NFPA 70E

Fire Suppression & Lockout Tagout

PPE

Manufacturing Safety (machinery dangers, noise pollution, electrical components, chemicals, workplace accidents, inadequate training, communication skills)

Introduction to Troubleshooting Skills

Introduction to Productive Maintenance

Math Review

AC/DC Electrical Systems (SACA C-201 Silver and Gold assessments)

Electrical Motor Control (SACA C-202 Silver and Gold assessments)

Pneumatic Systems (SACA C-209 Silver and Gold assessments)

Pneumatics Troubleshooting (SACA C-304 Silver and Gold assessments)

PLCs (SACA C-207 Silver and Gold assessments)

Mechanical Power Systems 1 (SACA C-210 Silver and Gold assessments)

Mechanical Power Systems 2 (SACA C-301 Silver and Gold assessments)

Retests

Blueprint & Schematic Reading

Concepts of Smart Manufacturing

Contact Hours

472

CEUs

Yes

Industry Standard, State or National Certification

Certification

Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA)

Website

https://www.saca.org/smart-automation-certifications/

Certification Learning Outcomes/Requirements

C-209 Pneumatic Systems 1

C-304 Pneumatic Troubleshooting 1

C-207 Programmable Controller Systems 1

C-210 Mechanical Power Systems 1

C-301 Mechanical Power Systems 2

CE or CU Articulation

Electronics Engineering Technology AAS degree courses (ELC-228: PLC Applications and WBL- 111DI: Work-Based Learning I); Mechanical Engineering Technology and Mechatronics AAS degree courses (MEC-130: Mechanisms and WBL- 111DJ: Work-Based Learning I)

Prerequisites

High school diploma, GED or equivalent; at least 18 years of age; 10th-grade reading level or higher

Learning Supplies Needed

Amatrol online-learning LMS and/or books covering electrical systems, motor control systems, pneumatic systems and mechanical power systems, along with access to related blueprint and schematics reading materials

Clinical Site/Special Facilities

N/A

Requirements for Successful Completion

90% attendance
Completion of all assignments,Completion of all graded assignments/assessments with a score of 70% or higher

Accreditation/Special Approval Requirements

N/A

Intended Audience

Students interested in becoming employed in entry-level advanced manufacturing positions, or anyone already employed in the field seeking to gain industry-recognized credentials

Specific Industry or Business Support Needs

Mechatronics technician, mechatronics technologist, electromechanical technologist, electromechanical technician, light automation technician

Wake County Need for Industry Positions

The manufacturing industry is increasingly reliant on advanced technologies, creating a high demand for skilled workers. Wake County has a growing manufacturing industry comprised of domestic and international organizations in need of a skilled, trained workforce to support their manufacturing initiatives.