The Southwestern Institute for Technology
Course Descriptions
MECHATRONICS AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
Students will obtain education and skills in Mechatronics related to engineering-related fields,
manufacturing industry and Marcellus Shale employment.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course focuses on all aspects of industrial and commercial machines and robotics and is designed to
prepare students for work in industry or continued education in engineering-related fields. The program
includes design activities and instruction in operation, set-up, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of
machines and systems found in commercial, packaging, medical, and food production facilities where
high tech equipment is used. Curriculum and instruction include the areas of Electricity, Electronics,
Sensor Technology, Machine Operations and Maintenance, Industrial Electronics, Computer Machine
Controls, Machine Repair, Motors and Control, Applied Physics, Fluid Power, Mechanical Components,
Schematic Interpretation and Quality Control. Students are trained on a wide variety of tools for
preventative maintenance and construction of equipment.
COURSE TOPICS:
Electricity, Robotics, Programmable Logic Controllers
Electronics, Mechanical Drive Systems, Sensor Technology, Applied Physics, Computer, Machine
Controls, Machine Operations & Maintenance, Pneumatics, Schematic Interpretation, Industrial Motor
Controls, Hydraulics Control Systems, Industrial Safety
REQUIRED SUPPLIES:
Safety Glasses, WACTC Polo Shirt/Work pants, Steel-Toe Work Boots
Scientific Calculator, Tool Kit (Seniors Only)
TEXTBOOKS:
Industrial Mechanics
AC/DC Principles
Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers
SPECIALIZED SHOP EQUIPMENT:
Hydraulics Systems Trainer, Allen Bradley Programmable Logic Trainers
Industrial Maintenance Cell, Mechanical Drive Systems Trainer
Siemens Programmable Logic Controller Trainers
(Continued: Mechatronics Automation Technology)
Course #
Course Name
Type
Credits
COM-110
READING AND WRITING FOR
MANUFACTURING
Class
3
Pre-Requisites: N/A
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide students with the reading and writing skills that are needed in today's
manufacturing environment. Students will read and develop technical documents such as Standard
Operating Procedures, Safety Bulletins, Technical Manuals.
Course #
Course Name
Type
Credits
CST-110
COMPUTER PRODUCTIVITY 101
Class
3
Pre-Requisites: N/A
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide students with the computer skills that they need for today's
manufacturing environment. The Microsoft Office suite of products will be covered, as well as the
Windows operating system, file management and email applications. Best practices and etiquette will
also be discussed.
Course #
Course Name
Type
Credits
MEC-110
ELECTRICITY 1
Class (1)/Lab
(2)
3
Pre-Requisites: MNF 105, MNF 150, MNF 110
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide students with a foundational knowledge of electricity. Topics will
include Safety, Ohms Law, Watts Law, Measurement Devices, Alternating Current, Direct Current,
Insulators, Conductors, Transformers and Inverters.
(Continued: Mechatronics Automation Technology)
Course #
Course Name
Type
Credits
MEC-120
ELECTRICITY 2
Class (1)/Lab
(2)
3
Pre-Requisites: MEC 110
Course Description:
This course is designed as a continuation of Electricity 1. Topics will include, Safety, The National Electric
Code (NEC), Grounding and Bonding, Variable Resistors, Capacitors. Students will create various
different electrical learning laboratories in which they will gain experience with DC electronics as well as
residential and commercial wiring.
Course #
Course Name
Type
Credits
MEC-150
AC ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS
Class (2)/ Lab
(2)
4
Pre-Requisites: MEC 110
Course Description:
Designed to give students the knowledge needed to perform work on various Alternating Current
Devices. Topics Will Include, Voltage Selection, Phase configurations and properties, Frequency,
Transformers.
Course #
Course Name
Type
Credits
MEC-170
MOTORS AND CONTROLS
Class (2)/ Lab
(2)
4
Pre-Requisites: MEC 150
Course Description:
This course focuses on the selection and installation of motor control circuits and devices. Emphasis will
be placed on the students’ ability to read and follow electrical schematics, wire, and troubleshoot
various motor control devices.
(Continued: Mechatronics Automation Technology)
Course #
Course Name
Type
Credits
MEC-220
PROGRAMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLERS -1
Class (2)/ Lab
(1)
3
Pre-Requisites: MEC 110
Course Description:
The use of Programmable Logic Controllers has grown tremendously. This course provides students with
the skills needed to install, maintain, and program various different brands and styles of programmable
logic controllers.
Course #
Course Name
Type
Credits
MEC-225
FLUID POWER SYSTEMS- LEVEL 1
(PNEUMATIC)
Class (2)/ Lab
(1)
3
Pre-Requisites: MNF 105, MNF 110, MNF 150
Course Description:
Fluid Power is used for numerous different applications. This course will focus mostly on hydraulic fluid
power systems. Topics will include: Safety, Area, Volume, Force Calculations, Fluid Measurement,
Schematics, Contaminates, Filtration, Pressure Regulation, Pump Maintenance and Selection, Hydraulic
Valves, Hydraulic Cylinders, Electro-hydraulic Controls.
Course #
Course Name
Type
Credits
MEC-230
PROGRAMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLERS -2
Class (2)/ Lab
(2)
4
Pre-Requisites: MEC 225
Course Description:
This course is designed to expand on the students’ knowledge of Programmable Logic Controllers. This
course covers Human Machine Interface (HMI) applications, PID loops, Sensors, Troubleshooting
Techniques.
(Continued: Mechatronics Automation Technology)
Course #
Course Name
Type
Credits
MEC-240
MECHANINCAL POWER TRANSMISSION
SYSTEMS
Class (1)/Lab
(2)
3
Pre-Requisites: MNF 105, MNF 110, MNF 150
Course Description:
This course provides students with the knowledge of how mechanical power is conveyed from the
power source to the application. Topics such as, Belt Drives, Gear Drives, Chain Drives, Clutches are
covered in both their simple format and their complex. Applications are given and students are expected
to perform various tasks dealing with the creating, maintenance, inspection and repair of various
mechanical power transmission systems.
Course #
Course Name
Type
Credits
MEC-250
FLUID POWER SYSTEMS-LEVEL 2
(HYDRAULIC)
Class (1)/Lab
(2)
3
Pre-Requisites: MEC 225
Course Description:
Fluid Power is used for numerous different applications. This course will focus on mostly pneumatic fluid
power systems. Topics will include: Safety, Area, Volume, Force Calculations, Fluid Measurement,
Schematics, Contaminates, Filtration, Pressure Regulation, Compression, Pneumatic Valves, Pneumatic
Cylinders.
Course #
Course Name
Type
Credits
MEC-280
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
TECHNIQUES/SYSTEMS
Class (2)/ Lab
(1)
3
Pre-Requisites: MNF 105, MNF 110, MNF 150
Course Description:
This course focuses on the applications of integrated advanced manufacturing cells. Topics will include
safety, cost benefit analysis, system design, robotic arm selection, machine integration.