Course Details

The Essential Skills and Safety course teaches the basic concepts and terminology used in automation technology. Students gain proficiency through applying concepts of fasteners, measurement equipment, tolerances, and hand and power tool operations. The course covers safety and workplace skills as well as school and shop specific operations, standards, and procedures.

The Pneumatics course prepares students with the fundamentals needed to work with pneumatic systems. Pneumatic systems are used in a variety of industries where cleaner, faster, and more cost- effective work needs to be done. Competencies include safety, maintenance, operation, installation, component identification, principles of pressure and flow, air logic, troubleshooting, analysis of performance and efficiency, and design of pneumatic systems.

The Hydraulics course prepares students with the fundamentals needed to work with hydraulic systems. Hydraulic systems are used in a variety of industries where extra force may be required. Competencies include safety, maintenance, operation, installation, component identification, displacement principles, troubleshooting, analysis of performance and efficiency, and design of hydraulic systems.

The Industrial Mechanics course is designed to introduce students to the world of mechanical drive systems and their characteristics. Students can demonstrate competency in the following: couplers, component identification, system related calculations, alignment, the effects of wear and vibration, component failure detection and prevention.

The Electrical Systems course teaches students to troubleshoot most electrical circuits they encounter in everyday life. Our world runs on electrical power and is fundamental to all work being done in automation. Students in this course gain relevant working knowledge in both AC and DC electrical systems. Competencies include basic electrical circuit design, analysis, troubleshooting, instrumentation, schematic and component identification, physics of electricity and applicable math.

The Motor Controls course prepares students with a working knowledge and understanding of real-world motor control operations. Students who complete this course are able to proficiently setup and design motor control circuits utilizing schematics. Students in this course identify components and utilize instrumentation to troubleshoot and maintain systems.

The Programmable Logic Controllers course teaches students to interface with programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Programmable logic controllers are the brains of all modern automation technology systems. In this course students develop a working knowledge and skill set in the following competencies: ladder logic, programming standards, hardware selection, various inputs and outputs, communication, troubleshooting, setup and installation.

The Applied System Diagnostics course covers the essentials of system diagnostics, the essence of what a technician does day to day. This course is designed to simulate real world troubleshooting scenarios. Students apply troubleshooting methodology by using all of the skills that they have learned so far in the program. Students are expected to properly diagnose, repair, and document their work on a variety of systems and challenges.

This course introduces students to the concepts and fundamentals of electronic devices, systems, and circuits. Students will learn the basics of DC/AC circuits; semiconductor and analog circuits; and microcomputers and learn how to use meters, oscilloscopes, and other measuring equipment. Students will also learn the skills required to make algebra calculations in an automation shop environment

This class covers identification of the operating characteristics and nameplate information of most types of AC/DC motors. This course will introduce students to Electric Motor drives, including the installation and programing of an electric motor drive for motor speed control, including ramp up and ramp down parameters. In addition, students will learn how three-phase alternating current (AC) is generated in Delta or Wye circuits. Students will gain knowledge about the distribution of electrical power in a manufacturing facility, including service feeders, branch circuits, and control circuits.

In the Introduction to Industrial Robotics course, students are introduced to industrial robot architecture, arithmetic, programming, and simulation. Emphasis is placed on laboratory experiments dealing with simple robot programming, and program execution. In this project‐based course, students are given industry‐recognized simulation software for lab completion. A hands‐on experience with real industrial robots is also required.

Students in this course will learn cutting edge drone technology, function, assembly, programming, profitable and fun applications, and proper operation. Students will learn through hands-on practice of real-world applications of video, imaging, and mapping. Students will use propeller and fixed-winged simulators and drones to learn to properly operate drone technology. Students will learn to properly utilize FPV (First Person Video) with drones, ground control, connections, programming flight patterns, future of drones, and employment opportunities.

In the Building Control Panels course, students will learn about control panel assembly, standards, skills, and practice. Industrial Control Panel standards are utilized, and special panel building tools are taught.

In the Instrumentation Process Control course students are introduced to the concepts and terminology of Instrumentation-Process Control using theory and a hands-on approach used in refineries, water treatment plants, boilers, HVAC, refrigeration systems, and many other temperature, pressure, level, flow, analysis, transmission and communication, and automatic control applications.

This course introduces students to the concepts and terminology of Process Technology Equipment and Systems using theory and a hands-on approach used in refineries, water treatment plants, boilers, and many other temperatures, pressure, level, flow, analysis, transmission and communication, and automatic control applications.

This course is a series of presentations/study in number systems and codes, microprocessor/microcontroller architecture, computer arithmetic, machine and assembler language programming, and microprocessor interfacing. Emphasis is placed on laboratory experiments dealing with machine/assembler language program execution and interfacing using an Arduino starter kit.

Electronics Assembly and Soldering offers you an opportunity to develop the ability to solder and desolder connectors, components, and printed circuit boards using industry standards. You will be introduced to topics including component identification, safety practices, soldering, desoldering, anti-static grounding, and surface mount techniques.

Students in this course will learn about alternative and sustainable energy sources. Students will conduct cost-benefit analysis on each form of alternative energy in order to determine what is practical on a large or small scale. Students will cover the efficiencies of each alternative energy source as well as what limitations exist in terms of extracting usable energy. Students will also learn how a fuel cell works and how they can power automobiles.

In this course students will study lean manufacturing, ISO 9000 overview, manufacturing maintenance strategies, continuous process improvement, process design development, supply chain management, total productive maintenance, Five S overview, cellular manufacturing, and intro to six sigma, troubleshooting processes, and kaizen events. This includes discussions of the seven forms of waste and describing the role of a Quality Management System. Students will demonstrate the implementation of maintenance management strategies including reactive, corrective, predictive, preventive, reliability- centered and total productive maintenance.

Semiconductor Devices explores diodes and transistor principles. Throughout this course, you will study semiconductor theory, bipolar, and field effect device characteristics as well as modern thyristor devices. You will also examine the use of diodes in communication circuits and power supply applications, bias transistor circuits, the use of small-signal, power and FET amplifiers and measurement of frequency response to an amplifier.

In this course, students will identify and apply AF requirements of safety, lockout/tagout procedures, basic shop measurement tools, basic blueprint reading, Container Labeling, SDS procedures, and foreign objects damage and prevention for aircraft and aerospace equipment. Students will apply technical data, regulatory standards, theory, and lockout/tagout procedures. This course trains personnel, to include contractors, who perform direct or indirect maintenance actions/operations on aircraft, missiles, support equipment, components, or active taxiways/runways. Personnel such as security forces, fire department, medical and supply organization workers who may travel through aircraft, missile, support equipment, or component repair work centers, to include driving on active taxiways/runways, must also receive this training. This course will also cover technical data and regulatory standards, theory, types, identification and inspection techniques, prone areas, reporting and documenting procedures, preventative compounds, removal and surface treatment. This course will explore a list of essential packaging and production controls, review of guidelines describing the proper way to execute GMP records, examine the GMP personal hygiene requirements, clarify the four key product quality attributes, describe the purpose of GMP codes and regulations, and offer explanations of why companies implement GMP.

Students participating in this course have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in the Automation and Robotics industry while working under the supervision of a plant manager or maintenance technician. This experience will allow the student to observe and get hands-on experience troubleshooting and repairing equipment.

The Production Drafting I course delves into the practical realm of blueprint reading for manufacturing. Students will learn about industry standards to successfully interpret technical drawings

Welding for Manufacturing includes the basic knowledge of Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW). During this course, you will study welding safety, protection, accident prevention, and troubleshooting. You will practice set-up, operation of equipment, positions, executions, and the workmanship needed for a basic welding.

Job Seeking Skills explores how to prepare and successfully apply to potential career opportunities. During this course, you will be presented with essential job-seeking skills needed to find gainful employment.

The Automation Technology program supports a wide variety of mechanical and automated systems. This program is designed to help prepare students with the necessary skills to become technicians in several critical industries. Students are introduced to a wide variety of tools, practices, and procedures. The program uses a competency based hands-on approach, with other teaching methods that are employed throughout.