Hydraulic and Pneumatic Automation Technology - Spokane Community College

Hydraulic and Pneumatic Automation Technology from Spokane Community College is a Campus Associate Automotive degree that prepares you for a Engineering career. Program Description Graduates from the Hydraulic and Pneumatic Automation Technology program have developed skills to qualify for employment in hydraulic and pneumatic sales, automated equipment fabrication or plant machinery maintenance work. Activities in sales and distribution vary from warehousing, inside sales, purchasing, outside sales, power unit fabrication to field service work. Each area offers challenging work, with most employers providing on-the-job training for product familiarization and developing the special skills required for sales and service in pneumatic automation products. Activities include equipment or circuit design, shop assembly, installation of complex electro-hydraulic systems, field installation of new equipment or servicing existing equipment. Field service can involve world travel with a lot of time away from home. Activities in industrial plant maintenance vary from installing new equipment to troubleshooting and repairing existing equipment. This requires developing analytical procedures and certain mechanical abilities or skills to improve equipment performance and reliability. A 2.0 GPA or better must be maintained in all hydraulic and pneumatic automation technology coursework before advancing to the subsequent quarter. Students not meeting this minimum requirement may repeat the course(s) one time before progressing. A student who is below the minimum 2.0 GPA may seek a one-time waiver with the approval of the division dean. Program Goals A thorough knowledge of individual hydraulic and pneumatic components, the application and proper installation of each, preventative maintenance procedures and potential service problems. Read and understand hydraulic and pneumatic schematics as they relate to machine operation. Have hands-on experience in hydraulic systems fluid line layout and installation. Read and interpret electrical schematics as they relate to machine sequence of operation. Working knowledge of the use of electrical control to sequence solenoid valves and control machine functions. Students who successfully complete the second year of this program will: Operate drill press, lathe, milling machine, power saws and surface grinder. Repair hydraulic and pneumatic components. Lay out manifolds and understand the use and application of cartridge type valves in manifolds. Understand complex automated machine operation using programmable controller and relay logic. Troubleshoot automated machinery using electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic schematics. Use computer for word processing and database for parts inventory control, invoicing and back ordering. Use CAD program for making schematic drawings and designing hydraulic manifolds. Understand the uses of programmable controllers to sequence and monitor machine functions on automated equipment. Install and maintain complex electronic controlled hydraulic equipment. Write and troubleshoot PLC programs for precision machine operation. Career Opportunities Starting monthly salaries are commensurate with those graduates of many traditional engineering technology programs. Because of the unique qualifications of hydraulic and pneumatic automation technology program graduates, they may advance in salary and position at a rapid rate. Career opportunities include hydraulic and pneumatic sales, automated equipment fabrication, plant machinery maintenance, and electro-hydraulic systems installation. View more details on Spokane Community College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Automotive courses.