(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 Controllers. The Automation program emphasizes maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of automation systems equipment.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing Courses
MFG 1012 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 1)
Occupational Safety
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.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Term Typically Offered: Spring
MFG 1103 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 1)
Machining Overview
Course is intended for students with no experience in precision metalworking. Content includes industrial safety, principles and operations of drill press, lathe and mill. Students will learn common machining operations along with related tooling and fixtures. Additional topics include overview of precision measurements and basic technical math including speed and feed calculations. The course concludes with an introduction to Computer Numerical Control (CNC).
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring
MFG 1113 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 1)
Manufacturing Overview
Directed towards new students interested in careers in Manufacturing and CNC, the course introduces students to Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) concepts. Content includes advanced manufacturing, industrial safety, print reading, ferrous and non-ferrous materials, precision measurements, fundamentals of CNC, welding and fluid power.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring
MFG 1123 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 1)
Automation Overview
Directed towards new students interested in careers in Automation and Mechatronics, the course provides students with a broad exploration of systems used in production automation. Content includes overview of automation concepts, fluid power, basic electricity, sensors, machine vision and electric motors. The course concludes with an introduction to industrial robotics and programmable controllers used to control advanced manufacturing equipment.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring
MFG 1153 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 1)
Processes and Materials
Course covers properties of materials including plastics and composites, ceramics and metals. Processes discussed include molding, machining, forming and joining operations. Non-traditional methods such as EDM, stereolithography and abrasive cutting are presented.
Recommended: MFG 111.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring
MFG 1203 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 3)
Introduction to Welding
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. 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.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Fall
MFG 1253 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 3)
Advanced Welding
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.
Recommended: MFG 120 or previous welding experience.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Spring
MFG 1354 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 5)
Fluid Power and Controls
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.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Spring
MFG 1414 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 4)
CNC Machine Operation - NIMS
Course provides an introduction and hands-on training for Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine operation. Content includes tool identification, machining processes, machine and fixture setup, and CNC lathe and mill operation. Additional topics cover print reading, basic Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), precision measurement and gauging. Instructional and hands-on training is provided to prepare students to take the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certification test for CNC Operator.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring
MFG 1424 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 4)
CNC Setup and Operations
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 a controller panel to safely operate CNC machines.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Summer
MFG 1444 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 4)
Introduction to CNC Programming
Course provides hands-on training in G-code programming for Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines including CNC mill (vertical machining center) and CNC lathe (turning center). Content includes reading, interpreting and manually creating CNC programs. Students will develop, write, simulate, run and troubleshoot programs utilizing CNC machines.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring
MFG 1454 credit hours (lecture: 4 | lab: 0)
Advanced CNC Programming
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.
Prerequisite: MFG 144 or consent of instructor.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring
MFG 1654 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 4)
Mastercam (CAM)
Course provides an introduction to MASTERCAM Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software. Students will design part geometry and use Mastercam software to create two- and tree-dimensional (2D/3D) tool paths. These tool paths will then be translated into machine “G” code using a post processor and sent to CNC machines to manufacture the parts utilizing various controllers. Graphic simulation is used to prove-out results.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring
MFG 1664 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 4)
Advanced Mastercam
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.
Prerequisite: MFG 165 or consent of instructor.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring
MFG 1703 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 3)
Industrial Electronics
Introductory course in industrial electronics. Students will learn the fundamental principles of electrical circuits, circuit analysis, electrical measurements, inductance and capacitance, combination circuits, and transformers. Additional topics include CAD based electrical schematic layout and troubleshooting basic electrical circuitry using a voltmeter.
Recommended: MFG 112.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Fall
MFG 1803 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 3)
Mechanical Drives
Course introduces basic components of mechanical drive systems including fasteners, springs, shafts, couplings, bearings, clutches, brakes, pulleys and gears. Students will learn terminology and purpose of these parts followed by designing of simple drives and their function in larger mechanical system such as conveyors and assembly lines. In the lab, students will practice installing, aligning, testing and troubleshooting basic mechanical drives such as belt, chain and gear drives.
Recommended: MFG 112.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring
MFG 2104 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 3)
Industrial Robotics and Automation
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.
Recommended: MFG 112.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Fall
MFG 2203 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 3)
Machine Vision Systems
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.
Recommended: MFG 112.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Fall
MFG 2253 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 3)
Motors and Controls
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.
Recommended: MFG 112.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Spring
MFG 2304 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 3)
Automation Equipment Repair
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.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring
MFG 2404 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 3)
Programmable Controllers
Based on Studio 5000 software from Allen-Bradley, course teaches fundamental concepts of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and Programmable Automation Controllers (PAC). It starts with basic terminology, common input and output devices, and overview of various controllers. Students will learn how to address Inputs/Outputs (I/O) and how to program sequences of events to control electrical motors, pneumatic actuators and lights. Hands-on Ladder Diagram programming and troubleshooting utilizing CompactLogix based trainers is integrated throughout the course.
Recommended: MFG 112.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Fall
MFG 2454 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 4)
Intermediate Programmable Controllers
Intermediate course offers a practical study of Programmable Controllers. Students will learn how to develop and program automation projects utilizing Ladder Diagram (LD), Function Block Diagram (FBD), and Sequential Function Chart (SFC). Students will also utilize FactoryTalk View Studio software to program Human Machine Interface (HMI) devices. Practical applications of programming and troubleshooting skills utilizing Allen-Bradley based trainers are integrated throughout the course.
Recommended: MFG 240 or previous PLC experience.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Spring
MFG 2504 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 4)
Advanced Programmable Controllers
Course covers advanced topics in utilizing Programmable Logic/Automation Controllers (PLC/PAC) to automate industrial processes by managing several output devices based on input from various devices, including analog sensors. Students will learn to program, edit, download and control sequences of events utilizing Studio 5000 software and CompactLogix based trainers from Allen-Bradley. In addition, students will utilize Human Machine Interface (HMI) devices programmed with FactoryTalk View Studio software. Extensive troubleshooting of automation systems is integrated in the course.
Prerequisite: MFG 245 with a minimum grade of C or consent of instructor.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Fall
MFG 2704 credit hours (lecture: 2 | lab: 4)
Automated Components Integration
Advanced course in integrating automation components. Content includes interfacing Programmable Automation Controllers (PAC) systems with industrial robots and machine vision systems. Students will learn fundamental concepts of wiring, programming and troubleshooting of PACs with Industrial Robots, Machine Vision Systems and Human Machine Interface (HMI) devices utilizing Allen Bradley based Ethernet/IP communication.
Prerequisite: MFG 245 with a minimum grade of C.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Spring
MFG 2901-4 credit hours (lecture: 1-4 | lab: 1-4)
Topics in CNC and Manufacturing
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.
Instruction Type: In-Person
MFG 2921-4 credit hours (lecture: 1-4 | lab: 1-4)
Topics and Mechatronics and Automation
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.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid