Hydraulic and Pneumatic Automation Technician

Winter 2018

Enrollment:

Fall, Winter

Degrees and Certificates

Program Website:

View the program website

Tuition and Fees

http://www.ccs.spokane.edu/TuitionFees

Additional Costs

Books$800
Supplies and Equipment$1500-2000

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 Learning Outcomes

  1. A thorough knowledge of individual hydraulic and pneumatic components, the application and proper installation of each, preventative maintenance procedures and potential service problems.
  2. Read and understand hydraulic and pneumatic schematics as they relate to machine operation.
  3. Have hands-on experience in hydraulic systems fluid line layout and installation.
  4. Read and interpret electrical schematics as they relate to machine sequence of operation.
  5. 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:
  1. Repair hydraulic and pneumatic components.
  2. Lay out manifolds and understand the use and application of cartridge type valves in manifolds.
  3. Understand complex automated machine operation using programmable controller and relay logic.
  4. Troubleshoot automated machinery using electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic schematics.
  5. Use computer for word processing and database for parts inventory control, invoicing and back ordering.
  6. Use CAD programs for making schematic drawings and designing hydraulic manifolds.
  7. Understand the uses of programmable controllers to sequence and monitor machine functions on automated equipment.
  8. Install and maintain complex electronic controlled hydraulic equipment.
  9. Write and troubleshoot PLC programs for precision machine operation.
  10. Understand basic motion control.

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. Average Spokane salary is $15.86 per hour.

AAS - SCC

Offered at Locations:  Spokane Community College

First Quarter

APLED113Introduction to Computers for Technology 4
FLPT 121Pneumatic Theory 6
FLPT 122Drawing Fundamentals 3
FLPT 123Machine Controls 7
20

Second Quarter

AGGEN152Arc Welding 4
FLPT 111Hydraulic Calculations 5
FLPT 112Hydraulic Basics and Theory 5
FLPT 113Blueprint Reading 4
FLPT 114Basic Hydraulics Lab 2
20

Third Quarter

APLED121Applied Written Communication 14
FLPT 131Hydraulic Systems 6
FLPT 132Fluid Line Fabrication 2
FLPT 133Fluid Line Connectors 5
FLPT 134Shop Drawing 2
FLPT 135Fluid Line Sizing Calculations 2
21

Fourth Quarter

APLED123Leadership Skills for Business and Industry 13
FLPT 230Advanced Pneumatics Theory 3
FLPT 231Advanced Pneumatics Lab 2
FLPT 232Mechanical Drive Systems Theory 3
FLPT 233Mechanical Drive Systems Lab 3
FLPT 234Velocity and Load Calculations 1
FLPT 243Advanced Machine Controls 5
20

Fifth Quarter

APLED125Employment Preparation 13
FLPT 251Hydraulic Circuits 4
FLPT 252Hydraulic Component Repair 6
FLPT 253Fluid Line Layout and Assembly 2
FLPT 254Advanced Hydraulics Lab 3
FLPT 279Proportional Valves 4
22

Sixth Quarter

FLPT 264Fluid Power Computer Applications 24
FLPT 265Hydraulic Circuit Design 23
FLPT 268Fluid Power Application and Sales 25
FLPT 269Hydraulic Manifold Design 25
17
120 credits are required for the AAS
1This related education requirement may be met by any course or combination of courses approved by the instructional dean.
2Sixth quarter courses may be substituted with the following courses with department permission: FLPT 266 (1 credit) and FLPT 267 (1-16 credits) or FLPT 288 (1-17 credits).

Disclaimer: The college cannot guarantee courses will be offered in the quarters indicated. During the period this guide is in circulation, there may be curriculum revisions and program changes. Students are responsible for consulting the appropriate academic unit or adviser for more current and specific information. the information in this guide is subject to change and does not constitute an agreement between the college and the student.