Fundamentals of Industrial Automation

The ASME Fundamentals of Industrial Automation self study course provides the key foundational knowledge to properly evaluate industrial automation (IAT) as a potentially viable technology solution to improve an existing industrial production process. Learners are exposed to principle concepts, equipment, areas of study, and terminology used in industrial automation with robotics.

This course gives learners the ability to discuss and understand, at a high level, the techniques and strategies used in industrial automation with robotics projects as well as the capability to make suggestions for the types of robotics hardware that are appropriate for a given task. This course is also an opportunity to receive an introduction to the social, cultural, safety, and financial topics and concepts relevant in industrial automation with robotics.

This course was developed in a collaboration between ASME and industry expert Chris B. Quick. Chris is the founder of RealBotics, Inc., a company specializing in remote control, telerobotics, and industrial automation consulting. His industrial automation experience includes various robotic installs in heavy forging and stamping applications, the implementation of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) on the factory floor, the use of collaborative robots in industrial settings, and various research projects utilizing machine vision.

Topics covered in this course include:

• Robotics terminology
• Descriptions of the topics needed in industrial automation from electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering as they relate to robotics
• Mechatronics defined in relation to robotics
• Types of robots and how they are used
• Small, focused case studies and/or scenario-based tasks

 You will learn to:

• Analyze the three Ds of [KD2] industrial automation: Dull, Difficult, Dangerous
• Describe the right tool to use in the manufacturing process
• Examine the pros and cons of different approaches to industrial manufacturing process improvement
• Explore approaches to overcome social impacts of industrial automation in a work space
• The case studies will provide a better understanding to evaluate a manufacturing assignment based on critical thinking and problem solving
• Explain if an automated robotic system is a possible solution for a company

 
Additional benefits

• Gain vocational and generalist knowledge in industrial automation, a many-step process
• Combine engineering experience and skills with new knowledge and apply it in real world case studies
• Fulfill career goals in a rapidly growing field
• Gain an understanding of business considerations for industrial automation decision making
• Gain an understanding of the human and social impacts of industrial automation

 
Outline
Click HERE to review the course outline.
 
Who should attend?

• Engineers in any engineering field (i.e., electrical, mechanical, computer, etc.) who were not trained in robotics in their academic program but who are now considering a career in industrial robotics automation.
• Engineers in small- to mid-size manufacturing companies with a need to add robotic automation to their processes.
• Managers and owners of manufacturing companies who want to integrate robots into their manufacturing processes and need an understanding of the challenges of automation.

Course participants are expected to:

• Have fundamental engineering knowledge
• Be familiar with engineering ethics, such as ASME’s Code of Ethics of Engineers
• Ideally, have some experience working in the manufacturing industry