Fundamentals of Sensors, PLCs and Robotics

Using high-end products from Rockwell Automation and Fanuc, students acquire hands-on and realistic experience with industrial control equipment including sensors, programmable logic controllers (PLC) and robotics. This course prepares students to program a PLC efficiently in widely-used programming environments and languages. It provides hands-on instruction in Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), sensors and robotic fundamentals. Topics include basic robot programming and operation on a Fanuc robot, identification and understanding of the components and functions of a PLC, basic PLC programming, as well as sensor technology, function, selection and troubleshooting. This course can be taken on its own or as part of a three-part series in Manufacturing Technology Level 1 that includes Fundamentals-Electricity and Fluid Power, Fundamentals-Mechanical Systems, and Fundamentals- Sensors, PLCs and Robotics. These courses prepare students to be well-rounded machine operators/production technicians, with responsibility for efficient operation of equipment while ensuring that systems are running at maximum capacity. Students sit for nationally-recognized National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) certifications in Fundamentals of Sensor Technology, Fundamentals of Robotics, Fundamentals of PLC: Allen Bradley, and Fundamentals of PLC: Siemens.