Mechatronics Training Courses Encourage Innovation at a Whole New Level!
Modern industry utilizes complex production systems to produce high-quality, economical products for an ever demanding world. Amatrol’s Mechatronics training programs teach systems-level thinking and industrial automation skill-building that prepares learners to for mechatronics operation, hands-on PLC programming, and industrial maintenance and problem solving for real-world manufacturing environments. With the proliferation of automation technology, mechatronics is one of the fastest growing technical education programs in the world. Many technologies are integrated to make these sophisticated production systems including mechanical, electrical, electronics, and software.
In order to meet this vital industry demand, Amatrol has developed both a large scale mechatronics line and a portable, tabletop mechatronics training system, each with highly interactive eLearning mechatronics courses. Each of these systems is comprised of individual stations that can be purchased separately when mechatronics training is necessary but budgets must be observed or all together to form a total learning experience. This training experience can apply to various careers such as mechatronics engineer / technician, automation engineer / technician, and systems engineer / technician.
Key Features of Amatrol's Mechatronics Programs
Amatrol’s Mechatronics Learning System teaches learners a broad array of job-ready skills in integrated technologies as they work together in a team environment. The Mechatronics Training System is compact, enabling it to fit into almost any teaching facility. Whether using one station or many, Amatrol’s Mechatronics Learning System is the ultimate team project!
This learning system teaches learners how to manufacture industrial quality working directional control valves. They develop skills needed to enable processes to work together such as making precision physical adjustments. Modern industry leverages technology so that one set of equipment can make many products. Amatrol’s 870-Series Mechatronics System brings industrial realism to the classroom by allowing learners to program it to assemble a minimum of four different variations of the valve.
Amatrol’s mechatronics training courses brings your mechatronics program online with the teaching tools to get the job done: extensive mechatronics eLearning curriculum, hands-on industrial training equipment, and computerized classroom assessment system..
Industrial Components and Safety
Amatrol’s Mechatronics training equipment uses industry standard components to recreate the industrial environment in the classroom, which aids learners in being job-ready by.
Safety in an industrial setting is critical. Amatrol’s Mechatronics Systems teach learners standard industrial practices and methods that support a safe workplace. On the full-size mechanical system, emergency stop circuits meet industrial standards as does the real world operator panel. Learners study the importance of lockout / tagout and procedures for correct machine start-up, shut-down, and emergency stop operation.
Wide Array of Advanced Technology
Amatrol’s Mechatronics training equipment cover a broad array of applications across a balance of mechanical, electrical, electronics, fluid power and software to enable learners to work effectively in virtually any industrial setting. As an example, the full-size mechatronics system includes eight types of electronic sensors, three types of electrical motors, four types of pneumatic actuators and 20 different mechanical power transmission components.
Individualized and Group Learning Formats
Amatrol’s curriculum is designed to give instructors the flexibility to teach students using either a self-directed or traditional lecture-lab format. The curriculum design allows labs to be implemented with a minimum of preparation.
Extensive Mechatronics Curriculum
Amatrol’s curriculum is well known for its breadth and depth of industry-relevant skills. Amatrol’s unique curriculum approach uses a task-based design where theory and hands-on activities are structured around industry-relevant tasks that enable learners to develop job-ready skills. The curriculum easily supports either traditional lecture-lab format or individualized learning so learners can move at their own pace.
The full-size Mechatronics Learning System boasts a robust offering that begins with core skills to all stations: an introduction to mechatronics, systems concepts, safety, machine operation, sensors, pneumatic pick & place, and electrical pick & place. Integration skills across multiple stations, as well as skills specific to an individual station are covered in the balance. Overall system skills include discrete I/O handshaking, system start-up / halt, system stop / reset, and FMS programming.
All stations teach operation, sequencing and programming skills. Stations can be easily moved apart to function as individual workstations by releasing two quick connects and one plug-in cable. Stations can also be mixed and matched, enabling instructors to build and change the system as budgets allow or needs change. Many station combinations are available to support your needs.
On the Tabletop Mechatronics Learning System, the curriculum features an astounding breadth and depth of automation topics and skills. Key learning areas include: control system concepts, mechatronics safety, programmable controllers, PLC programming language, PLC program analysis, motor control basics, program development, timer instructions, time-driven sequencing, and much more!
Perfect for an Industry 4.0 world, Amatrol’s Smart Factory Mechatronics Training System is an eight-station automated manufacturing line that assembles a functional, two-way pneumatic valve. This system utilizes either a FANUC LR Mate robot or an Amatrol Pegasus robot, iGear Squeaks software for Smart Factory communication, Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens PLCs, and an additional cart that houses systems for Ethernet (87-EN), Wireless Communication (87-WL), and Network Security (87-NS) training. Each of the eight main stations of the Mechatronics System features a smart sensor or component for Smart Communication, including pneumatic/vacuum, ultrasonic, photoeye, stack light, electrical current, and analog pressure.
Hands-On Smart Factory Training
Prepare for Industry 4.0 Careers
Smart Sensors
Amatrol utilizes multiple Industry 4.0 smart devices on the Smart Factory that communicate via Ethernet and I/O Link protocol providing flexible manufacturing, predictive maintenance, and data analytics capabilities.
The following learning systems teach communications between intelligent automation devices using PROFINET with Siemens PLCs and EtherNet/IP with Allen-Bradley PLCs in a Smart Factory environment with the specified sensors and components:
Smart Product ID
Amatrol’s Smart Factory incorporates Industry 4.0 smart product identification devices, such as vision systems and bar code readers, which trigger “intelligent” actions including parts tracking, production history, sorting, part accept/reject, & inventory control.
Network Communications
Amatrol’s communication system connects students with a fully functional production system using industrial protocols for real-time control, program transfer, data collection, and changing programs on the fly.
Network Security
Amatrol’s network security system teaches how to keep data safe and securely extend operational data to suppliers and customers. Communications security protects the smart factory from unauthorized outside access & provides secure data communications between the plant-wide network and the internet.
Smart Maintenance and Production
Smart Maintenance software utilizes smart device information to automatically trigger maintenance operations. Amatrol’s Smart Factory uses industry standard software to connect users directly to the automated system and each other to create a real-world environment where maintenance team members can collaborate to resolve issues quickly and effectively.
Essential Knowledge Connected to
Real-World Skills
Amatrol’s eLearning curriculum is unique in that it thoughtfully combines in-depth theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on skills. This powerful combination of knowledge and skills solidifies understanding and creates a strong foundation for pursuing more advanced skills.
For example, the Smart Factory eLearning course covers important topics, such as:
Basic Robot Programming & Operation
Learners will study basic robot programming and operation used in a Smart Factory setting. Individual lessons include types of robot classifications, basic operation of a Servo robot, robot safety rules, types of robot grippers, and robot commands. Learners will also practice skills, such as jogging a Servo robot, teaching robot position points, running a Servo robot program, and entering a robot program that uses Pmove, Grasp/Release, and Label/Branch commands.
Introduction to Electronic Sensors
Using Amatrol’s Smart Factory eLearning course, learners will study different types of electronic sensors, and the advantages (and disadvantages) they can bring. Individual lessons include the function of the two parts of an electronic sensor, operation of transistors used in sensors, and characteristics that affect inductive proximity sensor operation. Learners will also practice skills, such as connecting and operating an inductive proximity sensor, measuring and analyzing the performance of an inductive proximity sensor, connecting and operating a capacitive proximity sensor, and measuring and analyzing the performance of a capacitive proximity sensor.
RFID Operation & Programming
Learners will study the programming and operation of radio-frequency identification, or RFID tags. Individual lessons include the function and operation of an RFID system, factors that affect RFID system operation, the operation of Rockwell Studio 5000 message instruction, and the function and operation of an IOLink Master. Learners will also practice skills, such as operating an RFID system, entering and operating a Rockwell Studio 5000 PLC program, configuring an IOLink Master in a PLC project, and operating a CompactLogix PLC project that uses an RFID function block instruction.
Introduction to Ethernet Networks
Learners will be introduced to Ethernet Networks used in a Smart Factory setting. Individual lessons include function of an industrial network, basic operation of a TCP/IP Ethernet network, components of an Ethernet network, and how to set Ethernet IP addresses of robots and PLCs. Learners will also practice skills, such as connecting an Ethernet network using an unmanaged switch, setting IP addresses of robots and PLCs, and transferring PLC programs via an Ethernet network.
Cloud-Based Data Acquisition
In this module, learners will be exposed to cloud-based data acquisition concepts. Individual lessons include operation of a cloud-based SCADA system, how to configure a cloud-based data acquisition software to retrieve production data, operation of cloud-based maintenance management, and how to send/receive a cloud-based maintenance message. Learners will also practice skills, such as operating a cloud-based data acquisition system, configuring a web-based data acquisition system to display production statistics, and configuring a cloud-based maintenance management message.
Amatrol’s Tabletop Mechatronics is a portable, durable, affordable learning system that forms a fully automated line to teach real-world Mechatronics skills. This learning system features a pick-and-place, gauging, and inventory station, all of which fit on a standard tabletop! Mechatronics is an integral part of the automotive, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, just to name a few. The impact and applications of Mechatronics grows by the day, so industries need skilled workers who understand these complex systems.
Each Mechatronics station includes a PLC control unit that features an AB1000 PLC, 10 inputs, 6 outputs, and much more! These stations also include curriculum that covers basic PLC programming and I/O training simulators with pushbuttons, selector switches, and output indicators so that learners can program and operate the PLC before moving actuators on the station.
Tabletop Mechatronics
Outstanding Automation Curriculum
This system’s curriculum features an astounding breadth and depth of automation topics and skills. Key learning areas include: control system concepts, Mechatronics safety, programmable controllers, PLC programming language, PLC program analysis, motor control basics, program development, timer instructions, time-driven sequencing, and much more!
Expand Tabletop Mechatronics Teaching Capability by adding the Servo Learning Station
Amatrol’s Tabletop Mechatronics Servo Robot Learning System proves that you can have all the features of a larger Mechatronics system with the space-saving footprint of a tabletop system. Wired into the Mechatronics system’s’ PLC, the 40-inch long, servo-controlled linear traverse provides the robot with full access to the automated line. As parts are sorted by the Mechatronics system and transferred to the appropriate conveyor chute, sensors read their presence and provide inputs to the system’s PLC.
Amatrol’s Smart Factory Tabletop Mechatronics system provides an option for when training space is too limited for the full Mechatronics line, but Smart Factory training remains necessary. Smart Factory Tabletop Mechatronics is a fantastic option for introducing Industry 4.0 training to high school students.
This five station system connects with Amatrol’s Portable PLC Troubleshooting Learning System – AB Compact Logix (990-PABCL1F), which shows performance analysis of the system via I/O Link. Performance analysis information includes transmitter pressure, photoeye signal strength, material type for parts passing through the system, RFID tag output, and more! This system also includes Smart Factory components for Ethernet (87-TEN), RFID/Sensors (87-TMS5), Barcode (87-TBR), and more!
Transform Your Tabletop Mechatronic System into a
Smart Factory
Are You Ready for Industry 4.0?
Smart Sensors and Product ID
Network Communications
Smart Maintenance and Production
Essential Knowledge Connected to
Real-World Skills
Amatrol’s eLearning curriculum is unique in that it thoughtfully combines in-depth theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on skills. This powerful combination of knowledge and skills solidifies understanding and creates a strong foundation for pursuing more advanced skills.
For example, the Smart Factory eLearning course covers important topics, such as:
Basic Robot Programming & Operation
Learners will study basic robot programming and operation used in a Smart Factory setting. Individual lessons include types of robot classifications, basic operation of a Servo robot, robot safety rules, types of robot grippers, and robot commands. Learners will also practice skills, such as jogging a Servo robot, teaching robot position points, running a Servo robot program, and entering a robot program that uses Pmove, Grasp/Release, and Label/Branch commands.
Introduction to Electronic Sensors
Using Amatrol’s Smart Factory eLearning course, learners will study different types of electronic sensors, and the advantages (and disadvantages) they can bring. Individual lessons include the function of the two parts of an electronic sensor, operation of transistors used in sensors, and characteristics that affect inductive proximity sensor operation. Learners will also practice skills, such as connecting and operating an inductive proximity sensor, measuring and analyzing the performance of an inductive proximity sensor, connecting and operating a capacitive proximity sensor, and measuring and analyzing the performance of a capacitive proximity sensor.
RFID Operation & Programming
Learners will study the programming and operation of radio-frequency identification, or RFID tags. Individual lessons include the function and operation of an RFID system, factors that affect RFID system operation, the operation of Rockwell Studio 5000 message instruction, and the function and operation of an IOLink Master. Learners will also practice skills, such as operating an RFID system, entering and operating a Rockwell Studio 5000 PLC program, configuring an IOLink Master in a PLC project, and operating a CompactLogix PLC project that uses an RFID function block instruction.
Introduction to Ethernet Networks
Learners will be introduced to Ethernet Networks used in a Smart Factory setting. Individual lessons include function of an industrial network, basic operation of a TCP/IP Ethernet network, components of an Ethernet network, and how to set Ethernet IP addresses of robots and PLCs. Learners will also practice skills, such as connecting an Ethernet network using an unmanaged switch, setting IP addresses of robots and PLCs, and transferring PLC programs via an Ethernet network.
Cloud-Based Data Acquisition
In this module, learners will be exposed to cloud-based data acquisition concepts. Individual lessons include operation of a cloud-based SCADA system, how to configure a cloud-based data acquisition software to retrieve production data, operation of cloud-based maintenance management, and how to send/receive a cloud-based maintenance message. Learners will also practice skills, such as operating a cloud-based data acquisition system, configuring a web-based data acquisition system to display production statistics, and configuring a cloud-based maintenance management message.