NC3 Digital Badges

Objective:

This comprehensive course guides students through detailed project-oriented learning activities. Starting with the basics of each sensor, students perform practical exercises in a simplified work environment, allowing them to focus on smart sensors. Students can also connect these sensors to a PLC over PROFINET®, Ethernet/IP™ or Modbus®, just like in industry. Once the fundamentals are mastered, more complex I4.0 learning systems such as MPS, CP Lab, or CP Factory, offer further training opportunities: the wide variety of sensors integrated into these systems allows students to put their knowledge into practice and deepen their understanding of the role of sensors within a complete manufacturing system.

Competencies

• Gain an understand of what Industry 4.0 is, and how smart sensors are an important part of implementing Industry 4.0.
• Be familiar with the main differences between smart sensors and regular sensors, and what advantages they offer over regular sensors.
• Gain an understand of the principles of operation of the most common sensor types: inductive proximity sensors, photoelectric sensors, ultrasonic sensors, process sensors, RFID read/write devices, and barcode readers.
• Be familiar with the communication protocols used to communicate with smart sensors, such as IO-Link and Profinet.

Applicable Skills

Objective:

This industry recognized certification will give participants the ability to explore and understand RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) utilizing Tags, Readers, and Writers as well as Vision Systems that utilize QR Coders/Barcodes. All of these elements provide critical data that modern industry relies on.

Competencies

• Choose the best Product ID device for various applications Determine inspection goals
• Estimate the inspection time
• Identify features or defects
• Define various methods of product identification
• Identify and explain the function of various elements of product identification
• Explain Radio frequencies: LF, HF, UHF, and SHF Systems
• Identify various barcode types
• Describe Symbology and Standards

Applicable Skills

Objective:

The Applied Robotics Course expands on Robotics Fundamentals. Students will work more extensively with the CIROS software and real industrial robotic applications. Robots rarely do work in isolation. They interact with other manual and automated systems. The MPS Robot Cell allows students to learn about these topics and how to program and edit robot programs and positions to accomplish various tasks.

Competencies

• Program and edit complex robot applications.
• Incorporate sensors and other automated elements into the robot application.
• Effectively work with subroutines.
• Efficiently maintain and service industrial robots.
• Teach precise robot positions.

Applicable Skills

Objective:

Students who pass the Certified Industry 4.0 Technician – Applied comprehensive knowledge exam students will be skilled technicians who are able to assess and analyze the system as a whole. They can manage, investigate, repair and troubleshoot I4.0 systems to maximize operation and process control. They understand how individual components interact with each other to make the whole system run efficiently. To be eligible for the Certified Industry 4.0 Technician – Applied comprehensive knowledge exam students must complete the Industry 4.0 Associate - Fundamentals and all Level 2 Certifications listed as prerequisites.

Competencies

• Set up, commission and systematically troubleshoot complex electro-pneumatic systems.
• Calculate cost to generate and use compressed air and identify system inefficiencies for correction.
• Understand, describe, implement, and maintain vacuum systems.
• Understand and Utilize CoDeSys for programming and troubleshooting.
• Modify a current PLC program and integrate HMI (Human-Machine Interface) Applications.
• Describe and explain the function of RFID, Barcodes/QR Codes, and Vision Systems.
• Program and edit complex robot applications, incorporating sensors and other automated elements.
• Understand and incorporate critical safety measures, such as machine guarding, for robotic systems.
• Understand and explain basic networking fundamentals.
• Define and configure Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and related functionality.
• Utilize web services/email push delivery and explain the importance of data security.
• Explain how 3D Modeling of systems impacts production systems.

Objective:

Decrease production downtime, improve efficiency and increase output – All hinges on understand electricity and how to work with it safely. These industry recognized certifications have been specifically developed to give students the knowledge and skills required to enable them to work safely and effectively with electricity. The lab components of the training offer the student the opportunity to build, test and troubleshoot AC circuits and examine the operating voltages and currents related to proper circuit operation. Technicians will use various instruments to make circuit measurements and calculations.

Competencies

• Explain the working principles of an electrical circuit.
• Safely and effectively measure an electrical circuit.
• Identify, sketch and describe basic electrical components and devices.
• Build, test & troubleshoot basic electrical circuits.
• Read basic electrical circuit diagrams.
• Calculate impedance and inductive/capacitive reactance.
• Safely and effectively measure an AC electrical circuit using a DMM.
• Troubleshooting various complex AC circuits with faults using a voltmeter and ohmmeter.

Applicable Skills

Objective:

Decrease production downtime, improve efficiency and increase output – All hinges on understand electricity and how to work with it safely. These industry recognized certifications have been specifically developed to give students the knowledge and skills required to enable them to work safely and effectively with electricity. The lab components of the training offer the student the opportunity to build, test and troubleshoot DC circuits and examine the operating voltages and currents related to proper circuit operation. Technicians will use various instruments to make circuit measurements and calculations.

Competencies

• Explain the working principles of an electrical circuit.
• Safely and effectively measure an electrical circuit.
• Identify, sketch and describe basic electrical components and devices.
• Build, test & troubleshoot basic electrical circuits.
• Read basic electrical circuit diagrams.
• Calculate impedance and inductive/capacitive reactance.
• Troubleshooting various complex DC circuits with faults using a voltmeter and ohmmeter.

Applicable Skills

Objective:

This hydraulic industry recognized certification training is designed to familiarize students with the construction and operation of hydraulic components. Investigating the construction and operation of a range of hydraulic equipment, this hydraulic training course covers the fundamental principles of hydraulics as well as the individual components. Valves controlling pressure, flow rate, sequence and direction of flow are included and practical exercises are used to demonstrate their operation, based on standard symbol circuits. Maintenance and a systematic approach to fault finding are also covered.

Competencies

• Design, assemble, test, and troubleshoot basic hydraulic circuits. Identify and describe the construction, design features, and operation of hydraulic components.
• Interpret technical specifications and data relating to hydraulic components and systems.
• Identify and explain graphical symbols for hydraulic components.
• Describe fundamentals of oil flow.

Applicable Skills

Objective:

This pneumatic industry recognized certification training covers the use of compressed air for pneumatic control and as a signaling medium. A complete overview is given, covering compressors, storage, dryers and distribution as well as the design, construction and operation of a range of actuators, valves and ancillary equipment. The relevant ISO symbols are introduced and included in the circuit diagrams. This course ensures a sound competence the safe operation and maintenance of one of the most common automation elements in industry.

Competencies

• Interpret and draw pneumatic symbols.
• Construct and troubleshoot pneumatic circuits.
• Determine root cause of component failure.
• Make speed adjustments to actuators.
• Explain the force/pressure/area relationship.
• Describe the different states an actuator can assume and the importance of each.
• Identify/explain function of pneumatic components.

Applicable Skills

Objective:

This certification provides participants with both theoretical insights and practical skills in industrial wiring systems, preparing them for roles in electrical installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. The Industrial Wiring Systems certification provides a comprehensive overview of electrical enclosures, conduits, power distribution, and motor control systems, focusing on safety, and installation standards. Participants gain knowledge about electrical conduit types, panel boards, circuit breakers, and grounding techniques. The course covers wiring installation, conduit bending, and troubleshooting techniques. Through hands-on lab activities and real-world project challenges, learners develop practical skills for designing, implementing, and maintaining industrial electrical systems. This certification equips participants with the foundational knowledge needed to evaluate and deploy industrial wiring solutions.

Competencies

• Understand and Apply Industrial Wiring Principles: Explain the role of electrical wiring in industrial settings. Compare different conduit and enclosure types based on application.
• Install and Maintain Electrical Enclosures and Conduits: Understand enclosure types, conduit materials, and installation techniques. Perform conduit bending and secure conduit runs per NEC guidelines.
• Operate and Troubleshoot Electrical Power Distribution: Describe panel board components, circuit breakers, and load balancing. Troubleshoot common electrical faults and perform lockout/tag out procedures.
• Implement Safe Wiring Practices and Grounding Techniques: Explore NEC grounding requirements, proper wire selection, and circuit protection methods.
• Optimize wiring installations for efficiency and safety.
• Analyze and Apply Electrical Troubleshooting Methods: Assess common wiring issues, diagnose failures, and apply corrective actions. Utilize testing equipment for in-circuit and off line diagnostics.
• Develop and Present Industrial Wiring Projects: Complete hands-on projects focused on designing, installing, and troubleshooting industrial wiring systems in compliance with industry standards.

Applicable Skills

Objective:

As an introduction to Industry 4.0, this industry recognized certification aims to relay foundational information about Industry 4.0 and help to establish a base upon which more detailed information regarding the topic can layered. The course will introduce the various industrial revolutions and how Industry 4.0, the internet of things, smart factories, and cyber-physical systems are a disruption to the manufacturing industry and discusses the impact and implications that these advancements introduce.

Competencies

• Explain what Industry 4.0 is.
• Discuss how these changes impact the industry, current and future employees, and other members of the manufacturing value chain.
• Give examples of the benefits and value of Industry 4.0.
• Explain the ‘interconnected world’.
• Define important terms, theories, and ideas behind Industry 4.0.

Applicable Skills

Objective:

The driving force behind most industrial applications is Mechanical Systems. Gears, drives, bearings, pulleys, and more are found in nearly everything that moves. The Mechanical Systems course covers the installation, use, maintenance, and troubleshooting of mechanical drive components and systems. The industry recognized certification is divided into various topics which deal with the components encountered in industry. The learning is based on practical, hands-on tasks to build know-how in operating and maintaining these vital systems.

Competencies

• Proper safety protocols associated with performing work on mechanical systems.
• Understanding of belt drives, and their roles in industrial applications.
• Proper installation of belt drives and the importance of following specific protocols.
• Identification of the main components of the belt drive systems in industrial installations.
• Understanding of chain drives, and their roles in industrial applications.
• Proper installation of chain drives and the importance of following specific protocols. Identification of the main components of chain drive systems in industrial installations.
• Understanding of gear drives, and their roles in industrial applications.
• Proper installation of gear drives and the importance of following specific protocols.
• Identification of the main components of gear drive systems in industrial installations.

Applicable Skills