Automation Engineering Technology

Quality and productivity improvement. Will appeal to everyone concerned with enhancing productivity in the Welding workplace. Reviews management systems for welding supervisors, requirements of welds, welding instruction, and application of welding standards, welding inspection, health, safety, work reports, and records.

Introduction to welding robotics. Goal is to help students develop the necessary skills to thrive in an advanced manufacturing environment with the use of Weldpro Fanuc Robot. Education will assure complete part make up from programming to weldment.

Set up and operation of manual machining equipment. Birmingham Mill and Nardini Engine Lathe will be introduced as the machining stations as well as manual operation of CNC equipment. Instructions on, set up, and quality part production will be the key attributes.

Introduction to Solidworks CAD software that helps create files that operate most automated manufacturing equipment. Students will draft and model formed parts and create cut files that will simulate a machine cutting a specified material and drawn part. Students will use these files that are drawn in the fourth semester CNC machining lab.

Provides a foundation for gaining the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for college success. Students will learn to make a successful transition to higher education by setting up a pattern of success that will last the rest of their lives. Students will define goals and develop thinking skills, learning strategies and personal qualities essential to both academic and career success. Please note: Students who have served active military duty (excluding basic training and AIT) may be exempt from the Student Success course. Student must provide a copy of DD214 or other official military documentation to the registrar for verification.

Introduction to the basic operations of the most up-to-date automated laser cutting system. The learning objectives will be focused on cutting, engraving, and rastering along with recognizing the ultimate advancement in the human machine interface controller. Education will assure complete part make up from drafting to piece part.

Introduction to a CNC machining lathe and mill stations. Using proprietary conversational operating systems that make modeling parts and creating part programs nearly effortless. Through an interactive graphical environment -using full-color graphics on liquid crystal displays. Operations such as tool and work offsets using the Renishaw probing system, drilling and tapping, pocket milling, engraving, facing, and boring. Education will assure complete part make up from drafting to piece part.

Introduction to a CNC Programming on Haas lathe and milling stations. Using proprietary computer aided machining software that makes G coding parts and creating part programs nearly effortless. Through an interactive graphical environment using full-color graphics laptop displays. Operations such as constant Z machining of three dimensional parts, drilling Cann Cycles and rough and finish cut programming to complete finished parts on the CNC milling and lathe stations.

This course trains participants to provide first aid, CPR, and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Students must complete the hands-on skill session. This class is offered for credit as a Pass/No Pass course.

Along with the advanced control systems that are appearing throughout the country, the revolution of graphical software to make it possible to control a very complex system has evolved. This course will cover the basics of using a graphical software package to create a user friendly control screen. The basics of using this type of software to interface with PLC’s either directly or using an OPC server will be covered. The graphical software packages used in the SCADA lab are FactoryTalk, Ignition and WonderWare. Prerequisite: successful completion of all SCADA courses previously required up to this point.

Knowing how to install, configure, and troubleshoot a computer network is a highly marketable and exciting skill. This course first introduces the fundamental building blocks that form a modern network, such as protocols, media, topologies, and hardware. It then provides in-depth coverage of the most important concepts in contemporary networking, such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, wireless transmission, virtual networks, security, and troubleshooting. After completing this course and completing the exercises, students will be prepared to select the best network design, hardware, and software for an environment. Students will also master the skills to build a network from scratch and maintain, upgrade, troubleshoot, and manage an existing network. This course culminates in the opportunity to test for CompTIA’s Network+ N10-006 certification. Prerequisite: successful completion of all SCADA courses previously required up to this point.

Continuation of SD 159 and an introduction to programmable automation controllers (PACs) primarily using the Allen-Bradley Logix controllers and Studio 5000 programming software. Study the use of Siemens and other industrial controllers. Advanced ladder logic and discrete I/O instructions, counters, timers, network control of remote IO and motor drives, motion control, program development techniques and troubleshooting are covered. Skills will be reinforced by using a variety of software simulation and mock process models. Prerequisite: successful completion of all SCADA courses previously required up to this point.

The objective of this class is to prepare the student for work in the exciting and challenging field of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition involving process control.  Process control involves applying technology to an operation that alters raw materials into a desired product.   In this course, students will be introduced to the concepts and characteristics of various sensors and control processes. PID control, hydraulics, pneumatics, robotics, sensor applications, safety circuit design, frequency drive applications and advanced system troubleshooting will be some of the major topics covered. This broad study of basic system concepts will be linked to applications being used in SD 270 SCADA Testing and Control Lab.  There may be times when this class will involve practical application for the concepts studied by going directly into the lab setting.  This will allow for the understanding of the design, activation, and operation of actual data acquisition and control system circuits.  Course concepts and techniques will be studied primarily through classroom lecture, computer training software, and discussions. Prerequisite: successful completion of all SCADA courses previously required up to this point.

A complete overview of the rapidly evolving field of wireless networks. Device level bus structures, industrial network protocols, data cabling and local area networks found in today’s industrial communication networks will be examined. Students will design and construct a telemetry system using a variety of communications media such as 900Mhz, 2.4 Ghz, and 5 Ghz wireless technologies; serial communications including RS232, RS485, DH+, DH 485, Ethernet/IP, Modbus, and Data Highway. Students will learn to select the appropriate technologies and standards for a given application and ensure that the best practice is followed in designing, installing and commissioning the data links for fault-free operation. Messaging between PLCs and other industrial devices will also be covered. Students will also become proficient in the use of the Windows operating system in a virtual environment and learn proper network segmentation with using VLAN and firewall applications as they pertain to the the Purdue model of networking. Prerequisite: successful completion of all SCADA courses previously required up to this point.

This course, part of the Automation Controls and SCADA program at Mitchell Technical College, provides students with a comprehensive understanding of industrial robotics and the application of IEC 61131-3 programming standards. Students will learn to design, program, and operate robotic systems integrated with automated control environments, focusing on standardized programming languages such as Ladder Diagram (LD), Function Block Diagram (FBD), Structured Text (ST), and others defined by IEC 61131-3. The course covers robot kinematics, end-effector selection, and task-specific programming for applications like material handling, assembly, welding and processing. Emphasis is placed on developing modular, reusable code compliant with IEC 61131-3 standards to ensure interoperability and maintainability in industrial settings. Through hands-on labs and simulations, students will gain skills in configuring robotic systems, troubleshooting issues, and implementing standardized programming practices to enhance system reliability and efficiency.

With the breakthrough in communications and microprocessor technologies, it has become possible for industry to automate control systems and permit the collection of data through the use of very complex electronic equipment. The objective of this class is to prepare the student for work in the exciting and challenging field of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. Using personal computers , Remote Terminal Units, and Programmable Logic Controllers, students will learn how to design, program, and construct many of the systems used in industry today.

Laboratory work will provide the student with the experiences in the identification, selection and programming of equipment needed to make a fully operational SCADA system. Prerequisite: successful completion of all SCADA courses previously required up to this point.