(Also see Mechanical Design/CAD)
Department Chair: Boguslaw Zapal, 847.376.7707, bzapal@oakton.edu
Program Coordinator, Automation and Mechatronics: Pawel Baran, 847.376.7612, pbaran@oakton.edu
Program Coordinator, CAD and Manufacturing: Yong Yoo, 837.635.1972, yyoo@oakton.edu
Innovation and advances in technology are radically changing the manufacturing field. Modern manufacturing occupations range from precise CNC machining to designing, programming, and maintaining automation systems. Oakton’s Computer Integrated Manufacturing department offers various programs to prepare students for careers in manufacturing.
The Manufacturing program focuses on precise machining, teaching skills related to operation, setup, and programming of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine centers. The Mechatronics program is dedicated to automation systems design and programming utilizing industrial robotics, vision systems, and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). The Automation program emphasizes maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of automation systems equipment.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing Courses
Course provides an overview of safe practices and work-related hazards with a focus on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety guidelines. The main content covers general workplace safety, hazardous materials including the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) procedures, fire and electrical safety, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and safe industrial equipment operation.
Course provides a comprehensive overview of industrial drafting and design. It covers major components of technical drawing including geometry, dimensions, and annotations to create part/assembly per specifications. Additional topics include detail and assembly drawings, metric versus standard projections and dimensioning, and advanced drawing views. The course concludes with an overview of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T). Introduction to 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software is integrated throughout the course.
Intended for students with no experience in precision metalworking, the course starts with industrial safety and OSHA policies. The main content examines principles and operations of a drill press, a lathe, and a mill. Students will learn about common machining operations along with related tooling and fixtures. Additional topics include an overview of precision measurements and basic technical math including speeds and feeds calculations. The course concludes with an introduction to Computer Numerical Control (CNC).
Directed towards new students interested in careers in Manufacturing and CNC, the course introduces students to Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). The main content introduces advanced manufacturing, industrial safety, print reading, ferrous and non-ferrous materials, precision measurements, fundamentals of CNC, and welding. Additional topics include an overview of fluid power principles, automation fundamentals, robotics and vision systems, and basics of logic controllers (PLC).
Directed towards new students interested in careers in Mechatronics and Automation, the course provides students with a broad exploration of systems used in production automation. The main content provides an overview of automation concepts, fluid power, basic electricity, barcode and RFID product tracking, sensors and vision systems, and electric motors. The course concludes with an introduction to industrial robotics and programmable logic/automation controllers used to control advanced manufacturing equipment.
Fee: $50
Course covers fundamental skills, including oxy-fuel (OFW), manual metal arc (stick), gas metal arc (MIG), and gas tungsten arc (TIG) welding. It starts with safety procedures required to set up and shut down welding equipment for various processes. The main content includes hands-on welding assignments with different welding systems using various thickness materials. The course follows American Welding Society industrial standards and prepares students for taking the AWS welding certification test.
Fee: $50
Course teaches advanced electric arc welding techniques including American Welding Society (AWS) safety requirements related to welding. Students will learn about different welding methods such as Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). Hands-on welding experience is integrated throughout the course. The course follows AWS industrial standards and prepares students for taking the AWS welding certification test.
Fee: $50
Course covers TagNet RFID middleware; specifically on how to install, configure, and implement various use cases found in the supply chain. Topics include an understanding of the capabilities of TagNet and how various use case factors influence read rates and reliability.
Fee: $40
Course teaches the principles of industrial hydraulics and pneumatics, emphasizing the concepts of fluid pressure, flow rate, and controls. The main content includes power units, hydraulic pumps, pneumatic compressors, linear and rotary actuators, and control valves. Additional topics cover fluid power circuit design, system maintenance, and basic troubleshooting. Hands-on lab assignments with equipment setup and operation are integrated throughout the course to better illustrate fluid power principles.
Fee: $50
Course provides an introduction and hands-on training for Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine operation. The main topics include tool identification, machining processes, machine and fixture setup, and CNC lathe and mill operation. Additional topics cover print reading, basic GD&T, precision measurement and gauging, and statistical process control. Instructional and hands-on training is provided to prepare students to take the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certification test for the CNC Operator.
Fee: $50
Course provides hands-on training in setup and operation of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. Instruction will be given for both the CNC mill (vertical machining center) and the CNC lathe (turning center). Students will learn how to set up CNC mills and lathes with required tooling, part holders, and fixtures. They will also learn how to read and interpret CNC programs and use the controller panel to safely operate CNC machines.
Fee: $50
Course provides hands-on training in G-code programming of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines including CNC mill (vertical machining center) and CNC lathe (turning center). The main content includes reading, interpreting, and manually creating CNC programs. Students will also learn to load programs, safely operate CNC machines, use inspection equipment correctly, and troubleshoot production problems. Programs are developed, written, simulated, run, and troubleshooted on actual CNC machines.
Fee: $50
Course follows MFG 144 to teach planning and programming of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines in greater depth. The course emphasizes cutting-edge techniques of CNC control and advanced programming including canned cycles, cutter compensation, macro programming, and subroutines. Hands-on experience with testing and troubleshooting developed programs utilizing controller simulators and CNC machine centers are an integral part of the class.
Fee: $50
Course provides an introduction to MASTERCAM Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software. Students will learn to design part geometry followed by the creation of two- and three-dimensional (2D/3D) tool paths used to machine parts utilizing various controllers. Tool paths created in Mastercam software can be automatically translated to generate machine “G” code utilizing a post processor and communicated with Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. Graphic simulation is used to prove-out results.
Fee: $50
Course continues to build on the foundation accomplished in MFG 165. The course focus is on creating three-dimensional (3D) wire frame models, surface modeling, and solids using advanced commands in the Mastercam software. Students will learn to create special automatic tool path cycles, routines using a post-processor translator, and to perform a graphic simulation of complex CNC machining that requires the construction of a simultaneous, five-axis tool path.
Fee: $50
Introductory course based on a program established by Supply Chain Automation (SCA) for an automation equipment maintenance technician. The main content is related to operation and maintenance of automation equipment and is delivered mostly through online interactive modules and virtual simulators developed by Amatrol. Students will learn the fundamentals of occupational safety, precision measurement, maintenance of mechanical drive systems, and basic concepts of electricity and fluid power.
Course provides a comprehensive overview of industrial robotics and automation. The main topics cover robotics theory and operation, its role in automation, and developing algorithms to control robotic systems. Additional content includes an overview of robot classifications, various end effectors, and peripheral devices. Hands-on lab assignments utilizing RobotStudio programming & simulation software along with ABB IRB-2400L robotic systems are integrated throughout the course to illustrate programming, setup, and operation of industrial robots.
Fee: $50
Course covers various sensors and modern machine vision used in industrial automation. Using sensors and machine vision, students will design and set up systems used for a variety of applications including measurement and gauging, presence/absence sensing, identification, and machine vision guidance. Hands-on lab assignments, including sensors and vision systems integration with programmable controllers are built in throughout the course to better illustrate machine vision applications in equipment automation.
Fee: $50
Course delivers theoretical and practical applications of electrical motors along with control circuits and electrical safety. The main content covers various Direct Current (DC) and Alternating Current (AC) motors. Students will learn about different type of motors and controls including step motors, servo motors, and variable frequency drives (VFD). Lab assignments associated with diverse motor applications in the automated industry are integrated throughout the course.
Fee: $50
Intermediate course based on a program established by Supply Chain Automation (SCA) for an automation equipment repair technician. The main content revolves around installing, modifying, and repairing automation equipment and is delivered mostly through online interactive modules and virtual simulators developed by Amatrol. Students will learn about reading technical drawings, basic concepts of industrial panel wiring, electric motors, and troubleshooting and repairing industrial hydraulics and pneumatics.
Based on Allen-Bradley, the course teaches the basic concepts of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). It starts with basic terminology, common input and output devices, and an overview of various PLC controllers. Students will learn how to address PLC Inputs and Outputs (I/O) and program sequences of events to control electrical motors, pneumatic actuators, and lights. Hands-on Ladder Logic programming and troubleshooting utilizing Allen-Bradley based PLC trainers is integrated throughout the course.
Fee: $50
Intermediate course offers a practical study of Programmable Automation Controllers (PAC). It starts with a tag addressing scheme and a project structure including tasks, programs, and routines. Students will learn how to develop and program automation projects utilizing Ladder Diagram (LD), Function Block Diagram (FBD), and Sequential Function Chart (SFC) languages. Practical applications of programming and troubleshooting skills utilizing Allen-Bradley based trainers are integrated throughout the course.
Fee: $50
Advanced topics of programmable controllers used to manage several output devices based on the input of various sensors, including analog devices, are covered in the course. Students will learn to program, edit, download, and run a sequence of events utilizing Allen-Bradley based trainers. In addition, FactoryTalk View Studio software is used to develop screen layouts for Human Machine Interface (HMI) devices. Extensive troubleshooting of automation systems is integrated in the course.
Fee: $50
Advanced course based on a program established by Supply Chain Automation (SCA) for an automation equipment controls technician. The main content includes installing, programming, and troubleshooting of automation controllers and is delivered mostly through online interactive modules and virtual simulators developed by Amatrol. Students will learn the fundamental concepts of wiring, programming, and troubleshooting of Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Variable Frequency Drive (VFD), and Human Machine Interface (HMI) devices.
Course explores a variety of current topics related to Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). Possible contents include new software or software updates, new technologies, or new high-tech advances in the field of advanced machining and manufacturing. The course can be repeated up to three times using different topics. Fee Varies. Prerequisite may vary by topic.
Course explores a variety of current topics related to Mechatronics and Industrial Automation. Possible contents include new software or software updates, new technologies, or new high-tech advances in the field of fluid power, industrial robotics, automation vision, and programmable controllers (PLC/PAC). The course can be repeated up to three times using different topics. Fee Varies. Prerequisite may vary by topic.