In the Automation Foundations Certificate at Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing or Winona, you’ll learn the fundamentals of working with complex equipment and become prepared to begin a career in this exciting, growing field.
Major Details
The certificate in Automation Foundations is the beginning of an exciting career path in Mechatronics. As an automation technician, you will maintain computer-controlled, automated systems that are designed to remove humans from the manufacturing process, such as in robotic assembly, food processing, and other industrial applications.
Your responsibilities as an automation technician will include checking these systems and diagnosing and isolating problems by performing tests, then repairing or replacing parts. Other duties include installing upgrades and modifications as needed.
Staying current with cutting-edge technologies will be critical to your career and allow you to provide insight to your employer in maintaining advanced manufacturing equipment and improving it wherever possible.
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Download the Program Plan
Courses
1) 1000 level (minimum) General Education courses required unless specified.
MECH1202
DC Electricity
This course covers the general information, theory, and problem-solving techniques required for an analysis of DC circuits with emphasis on taking meter measurements, current flow, voltage division, and troubleshooting failed parts. (Prerequisite: None) (2 Credits: 1 lecture/1 lab)
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2 cr
MECH1204
AC Electricity
In this course, students will gain general information, theory, and problem-solving techniques required for an analysis of AC circuits with an explicit focus on how AC functions within Industry. Topics include: AC waveforms, oscilloscope operation, meter measurements, AC vs. DC comparisons, 3 phase electricity for delta and wye circuits, step-up and step-down transformers as well as their specific application. (Prerequisite or Concurrent: MECH 1202) (2 Credits: 1 lecture/1 lab)
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2 cr
MECH1212
Digital Electronics
In this course, students will learn what a digital circuit is and how digital circuits are used in electronic equipment. This course will focus on the digital aspects within a PLC including necessary number systems, conversions, Boolean equations, gates, bits, bytes, and words. (Prerequisite: None) (1 Credit: 1 Lec/0 Lab)
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1 cr
MECH1610
Basic Industrial Controls
This course introduces students to industrial control components and systems. Digital industrial electrical devices such as switches, sensors, relays and motor starters are used in hands on labs. 3Ø motors and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are also covered. Ladder diagrams will be a focus of this course and students will use equipment manuals and diagrams to build industrial electrical circuits. Students will also be introduced to residential electrical wiring. Prerequisite: None) (Corequisite: MECH1202) (3 Credits: 1 lecture/2 lab)
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3 cr
MECH1620
Programmable Controllers
This course covers the operation of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). The hardware and software aspects of the PLC will be explored. Basic communication between the PC, PLC and Human Machine Interface (HMI) will be covered. Ladder logic instructions including; bit instructions, timers, counters, bit shifting, and sequencer instructions will be covered. Additionally, discrete and modular I/O integration will be applied to basic programs. HMI development and basic HMI applications will be developed and demonstrated. (Prerequisite: MECH1610 Basic Industrial Controls) (3 Credits: 1 lecture/2 lab)
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3 cr
Total Credits Required for this Major: 11 Credits
Estimated Costs for this Major
| Approximate Tuition/Fees: | $2,371 |
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| Minimum Tool Cost: | N/A |
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| Books/Supplies: | N/A |
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| Estimated Total: | $2,371 |
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Career Opportunities
Career Information
Use the MN DEED Career and Education Explorer Data Tool to learn about wages, job growth, and much more in this career field.
Outcomes
- Drawing Ladder Diagrams
- Building Industrial Control Circuits
- Apply Motor Protection to a Three Phase Motor
- Calculate circuit values using Ohm’s Law
- Calculate circuit values using Power formulas 6.
- Analyze Ladder Logic
- Write PLC programs
Highlights
- Internships
- Multidisciplinary skills
- Many jobs available
- Good paying jobs
Instructors
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Andy George
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Andy George began teaching at Minnesota State College Southeast when the Mechatronics program was launched in 2020. Previously, he taught in the Mechatronics /Electromechanical/Automation field at Western Technical College in La Crosse since 2011. Before becoming an instructor, Andy was an electromechanical technician in Machine Build at Hutchinson Technology in Eau Claire, WI. Andy holds an AAS in Electromechanical Technology from Western Technical College and a BS in Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
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Christopher Schwertel
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Chris Schwertel has more than 15 years of workforce experience in production facilities, maintaining state of the art equipment concerning a wide range of pneumatics, hydraulics, PLC programming, electrical, motors, drives, coolant systems, robotics, and more. He graduated with high honors from Western Wisconsin Technical College in La Crosse in 2020, majoring in Electromechanical Technology.