Dr. Kristine Christensen, Moraine Valley professor of Information Management Systems, and Chuck Bales, Moraine Valley professor/coordinator of Mechanical Design Drafting Technology/CAD, work with the college’s new robot.
Students studying within the technology field can make themselves more marketable by earning a new degree offered at Moraine Valley Community College—Automation and Engineering Technology.
This degree involves robotics, cybersecurity, automation/programmable logic controllers, and 3D printing. Previously Mechanical Design Technology, this new program offers five tracks for students to follow: CAD Automation, Electrical Automation, IT Automation, Mechanical Automation, and Mechatronics.
Some training will take place on the college’s new FANUC robot, the No. 1 kind used in manufacturing, that has grippers and a 2D camera, which students will learn to program. This fall will be the first time robotics classes are offered. Once they complete the courses, students will be certified HandlingTool programmers.
“Robotics and automation are becoming increasingly popular in a large number of industries because they can make processes more consistent, efficient and effective. Students who pursue this degree will benefit by learning skills that are in demand by employers as well as earn desirable industry certificates,” said Dr. Kristine Christensen, Moraine Valley professor of Information Management Systems, who is endorsed by FANUC. “We are fortunate to offer students an opportunity to interact and experiment with this widely used industry robot.”
As the program grows, more robotics classes will be offered. Students will earn not only a degree but also an endorsement from FANUC that should put them ahead in the working world.
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution is creating an enormous skills gap in manufacturing. Students need to be trained in technology that will come to the forefront in the next few years. This includes robotics automation and new forms of manufacturing. We provide that,” said Chuck Bales, Moraine Valley professor/coordinator of Mechanical Design Drafting Technology/CAD, who is endorsed by FANUC. “The growth of robotics is going to be explosive in the global industrial market.”
For more information, contact Bales at (708) 974-5401 or bales@morainevalley.edu.
