Industrial Automation Technology

This course provides an in depth study of direct current (DC) electronic theory. Topics include atomic theory, magnetism, properties of conductors and insulators, and characteristics of series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits. Inductors and capacitors are introduced and their effects on DC circuits are examined. Students are prepared to analyze complex DC circuits, solve for unknown circuit variables and to use basic electronic test equipment. This course also provides hands on laboratory exercises to analyze, construct, test, and troubleshoot DC circuits. Emphasis is placed on the use of scientific calculator and the operation of common test equipment used to analyze and troubleshoot DC and to prove the theories taught during classroom instruction. Also taught as EET 103. CORE

This course provides an in depth study of alternating current (AC) electronic theory. Students are prepared to analyze complex AC circuit configurations with resistors, capacitors, and inductors in series and parallel combinations. Topics include electrical safety and lockout procedures, specific AC theory functions such as RLC, impedance, phase relationships, and power factor. Students will be able to define terms, identify waveforms, solve complex mathematical problems, construct circuits, explain circuit characteristics, identify components, and make accurate circuit measurements using appropriate measurement instruments. They should also be able to perform fundamental tasks associated with troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining industrial AC systems. Also taught as EET 104.  CORE

This course provides instruction in basic physics concepts applicable to mechanics of industrial production equipment. Topics include the basic application of mechanical principles with emphasis on power transmission, specific mechanical components, alignment, and tension. Upon completion, students will be able to perform basic troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance functions on industrial production equipment. CORE

This course includes the fundamental concepts and theories for the safe operation of hydraulic and pneumatic systems used with industrial production equipment. Topics include the physical concepts, theories, laws, air flow characteristics, actuators, valves, accumulators, symbols, circuitry, filters, servicing safety, and preventive maintenance and the application of these concepts to perform work. Upon completion, students should be able to service and perform preventive maintenance functions on hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Also taught as AUT 130.  CORE

This course provides instruction in the fundamentals of acetylene cutting and the basics of welding needed for the maintenance and repair of industrial production equipment. Topics include oxy-fuel safety, choice of cutting equipment, proper cutting angles, equipment setup, cutting plate and pipe, hand tools, types of metal welding machines, rod and welding joints, and common welding passes and beads. Upon course completion, students will demonstrate the ability to perform metal welding and cutting techniques necessary for repairing and maintaining industrial equipment.  CORE

This course introduces the Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) MCE-1 (Manufacturing Core Exercise) for Safety Culture.  The course includes an introduction to safety and safety practice and the development of a safety culture.  Specific topics covered regarding safety culture are: 1. Internal, self-driven value for safe behavior; 2. Active concern for both personal safety and the safety of others; 3. Full understanding of the impact and consequence of unsafe behavior and acts; 4. Proactive thinking about safety, safe practices, and consequences; 5. Self-driven initiative to be safe and to promote the safety of others.   This course is also taught as ADM 170 and ILT 150.

This course introduces the Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) MCE-2 (Manufacturing Core Exercise) for Workplace Visual Organization (AKA:  5S).  Students will learn how to achieve higher productivity, produce fewer defects, meet deadlines, attain higher workplace safety and how to expose abnormal work conditions quickly and easily for correction and countermeasure.  The 5S process will be clearly defined with experiential exercises, reinforcing the following process steps and their objectives:  1. Sift -Organization 2. Sort - Orderliness 3. Sweep and Wash - Cleanliness 4. Spic and Span - Total Standardization 5. Sustain -System Sustainment.

This course introduces the Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) MCE-3 (Manufacturing Core Exercise) for Lean Manufacturing.  Students will be introduced to a systematic method for waste minimization (AKA:  Muda) within a manufacturing system, without sacrificing productivity.  Lean also takes into account waste created through overburden (AKA:  Muri) and waste created through unevenness in workloads (AKA:  Mura).  The Lean management philosophy will be clearly defined and explained with experiential exercises, reinforcing the following concepts: 1. The value-added product 2. The maintenance value-added product 3. Value-added work and necessary work 4. How this leads to increased profit 5. Workload unevenness (Mura) 6. Waste created through overburden (Muri) 7. The seven areas of non-value-added waste (Muda):  conveyance, correction, motion, over-production, over-processing, waiting and inventory

This course introduces the Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) MCE-4 (Manufacturing Core Exercise) for Problem Solving.  Students will learn how to use the eight-step problem solving model in an experiential learning environment, in conjunction with the PDCA cycle (plan, do, check and act).  The eight steps students will learn to use are: 1. Clarify the problem (plan) 2. Breakdown the problem (plan) 3. Set the target (plan) 4. Analyze the root cause (plan) 5. Develop countermeasures (plan) 6. Implement countermeasures (do) 7. Monitor results and process (check) 8. Standardize and share success (act).

This course introduces the Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) MCE-5 (Manufacturing Core Exercise) for machine reliability.  Students will learn how to use the process of Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) to drive for zero downtime and reach for maximum Heijunka.  Students will be given an in depth understanding of Heijunka (Japanese for “leveling”), as a process that maintains a balanced relationship between predictability by leveling demand, flexibility by decreasing changeover time and stability by averaging production volume and type, over the long-term.  The RCM process will be clearly defined with experiential exercises reinforcing comprehension and application of the following core questions: 1. What are the functions of the equipment? 2. How does it fail? 3. What causes it to fail? 4. Does it matter if it fails? 5. What can be done to predict or prevent each failure? 6. What if the failure cannot be prevented?

These courses constitute a series wherein the student works on a part-time basis in a job directly related to industrial maintenance technology. In these courses the employer evaluates the student's productivity and the student submits a descriptive report of his work experiences. Upon completion, the student will demonstrate skills learned in an employment setting.