Robotics Technician

The Robotics Technicians Program is open to students interested in building their future learning higher-level classes found within DVC’s Industrial Automation & Robotics program. The Robotics Technicians certificate has been developed with DVC’s industry partners to provide premier job skills that are needed to build, install, test, maintain robotic equipment and related automated production systems. Graduates will be able to troubleshoot robotic systems using knowledge of microprocessors,programmable controllers, electronics, circuit analysis, mechanics, sensors and feedback systems, hydraulics, and pneumatics.

 To earn the certificate of achievement, students must complete each of the courses required for the major with a “C” grade or higher.

		Unduplicated Headcount				Projected FTES	Annual Completers
Year 1	FA	25	SP	25	Year 1	39.6	75 (including SU)
Year 2	FA		SP		Year 2

1.    Program robots to perform or simulate industrial applications.

2.    Identify, measure, and analyze series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits mathematically and experimentally.

3.    Measure, analyze, and troubleshoot equipment problems.

4.    Program the programmable logic controllers to control output devices based on sensor inputs.

5.    Solve series, parallel, and series-parallel AC circuits for voltage, current, impedance, and phase angle.

6.    Describe the quality assurance procedure that might be used to verify the part is conforming to specification.

7.    Demonstrate competence in principles and operation of basic hydraulic systems; use flow meters and pressure gauges to measure valves and make adjustments.

8.   Use currently available basic personal protective equipment and be able to select appropriate equipment for a given environment.

Diablo Valley College’s (DVC) Engineering Technology (ENGTC) and Electronics (EET) programs are combining segments of their disciplines into an advanced robotics training program. The Robotics Technicians Certificate has been developed to provide advanced skills for graduates to build,install, test, maintain robotic equipment and related automated productionsystems that are inherently in need of reconfiguration, repair, and service.  

 

DVC is in an excellent position to capitalize on the immediate needs of our local high-tech companies with technical classes that provide advanced training that is highly sought after in the automation and robotics fields. While the use of automation is replacing many low paying repetitive and unskilled positions, there is an increasing demand for highly skilled laborers who can integrate and service critical robotic equipment within modern facilities.

 

By combining DVC’s existing mTech (machine repair) and electronics disciplines, students who complete DVC’s Robotics Technician classes and the Industrial Engineering Technicians certificate courses will earn DVC’s Industrial Automation and Robotics certificate.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
ENGTC-160	Intro to Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering	3	S1
EET-100	Direct Current Circuits	4	S1
EET-155	Motors and Motor Controllers	4	S1
ENGTC-175	Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems and Components	3	S1
EET-140	Programmable Logic Controllers	4	S2
ENGTC-180	Applications for Industrial Robotics	3	S2
CONST-110	Occupational Safety	2	S2

The proposed Robotics Technician program will provide current students taking these courses with a certificate. Many of these students are being paid to take these classes by employers. In addition, when combined with the Industrial Engineering Technicians certificate, students would earn DVC’s existing Industrial Automation and Robotics certificate. DVC’s Workforce Development Office has continued to provide financial and logistical assistance with these types of job training programs over the years, including the purchase of robotic equipment, advanced manufacturing machines, diagnostic tools, and training software. If executed and managed correctly, DVC’s new Robotics Technician program can be a leading example of how existing community college programs can update their curriculum and equipment to develop new strategic partnerships with leading high-tech distribution logistics, biomedical, and advanced manufacturing companies.

DVC’s Workforce Development Office and robotics program developer sought assistance from Mark Martin, the Regional Director for Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development at California Community Colleges. We found that Community Colleges in the Contra Costa, Solano, Alameda, and Fremont areas only have small portions of the courses needed, but none have the entire comprehensive automation and robotics courses required for students to learn how to repair, service, and program the complex equipment found within the Bay Area’s rapidly growing automation and robotics sector. With the deputy sector navigator’s help, we were able to determine that in the immediate area, only DVC had all the needed courses and equipment that were found in our existing mTech (hydraulic & pneumatics) and electronics’ programs (PLC’s and electronic diagnostic equipment). No other Bay Area Community College was able to provide all the necessary courses or equipment that met their automation and robotics job training requirements for the Robotics Certificate