MN 233 - Welding Automation

Description
The introduction to welding automation exposes students to core concepts and theory behind automation practices as they are used in the industry. Students learn basic robotic programming on Fanuc welding robots and other automation equipment. Special emphasis is placed on welding joint design, setup, and the effects of welding parameters and their outcomes on welded members. It is recommended that students have basic math skills and college level reading and writing skills prior to enrolling in this course.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 4
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: MN 202 (C- or Higher)
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Course Fees: $15.00
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Industrial Maintenance Technology, A.A.A.S., Welding Technology, A.A.A.S., Welding Certificate

General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:
1. Properly create and edit basic robotic welding programs.

2. Apply technical and theoretical knowledge from labs and lectures to solve related problems.

3. Create a welded assembly with the robotic welding system utilizing parts cut with the plasma system.

4. Cut parts utilizing the plasma arc cutting system using custom drawings and preloaded library drawings.

5. Properly manipulate welding variables and understand the effects each variable has on the process.

6. Create an original digital drawing (auto cad or other program) and post data to the plasma arc cutting system.

7. Demonstrate teamwork.

8. Demonstrate proper setup of robotic tool center points.

9. Demonstrate proper robot calibration by Zero Mastering the robotic arm.

10. Write lab reports according to specified guidelines.

11. Calculate cost savings using automation versus manual processes.

12. Make effective presentation, formatting, and stylistic choices when developing a communication.

13. Identify the best solution to a problem or issue.
Course Outline:
I. Automation in Manufacturing

A. What is automation
B. How is automation used in manufacturing
C. Calculating costs of automation: Throughput vs Manual Return on Investment
D. How is automation used in the industry
E. Weld fixtures and tooling

II. Robotic Programming

A. Robot safety
B. Teach pendant fundamentals
C. Basic robot operation
D. Creating programs
E. Programming, linear
F. Circular interpolation
G. Programming Welding commands
H. Basic robot setup: labeling digital inputs, labeling digital outputs, labeling timers, labeling key function, connecting welding machines through arc link, editing programs for efficiency
I. How to setup a weld schedule
J. Backing up programs to a memory card
K. Saving fundamentals
L. Setting up a jog frame
M. Wait and timer instructions
N. Program copy, delete, comment and write protect
O. Zero program
P. How to setup a tool center point
Q. How to setup Torchmate
R. Operator control stand setup and operation
S. Home program
T. Emergency stop recovery

III. Technical report writing

A. Written report on each lab

IV. Group Work

A. Presentation: Group Presentation over chapter content

V. Plasma Arc Cutting Table

A. Basic operation
B. Safety with plasma cutting
C. How to post a drawing to plasma table
D. Cutting equipment maintenance with plasma table
E. Set up of plasma machine to NC table

VI. Submerged Arc Welding

A. Machine safety
B. Machine setup
C. Welding variables

VII. Laser Welding and Automation

A. Safety
B. Application of lasers for cutting and welding
C. Industrial uses of lasers

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
No
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 30-35%

Lab work/group-work: 40-60%

Multimedia instruction: 10-15%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: NA
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: NA

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture/Lab - Must meet Lecture & Lab Ratios
Total Lecture/Lab Hours Per Week: 4
People Soft Course ID Number: 104420
Course CIP Code: 48.9999
Maximum Course Enrollment: 12
General Room Request: Classroom / Welding Lab

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: NA
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

School: School of Business & Industry
Department: Manufacturing
Discipline: MN
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Professionally qualified through work experience in field (Perkins Act or Other) (list below), Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
Standard qualifications for the School of Workforce Development apply with a minimum of 4000 work-hours in a related field. Qualifications can include a Bachelor’s of Science in Manufacturing, Construction, Engineering, Automotive or related field.

Major Course Revisions: Prerequisite
Last Revision Date Effective: 20220215T20:20:30
Course Review & Revision Year: 2026-2027

Essential Abilities/Technical Standards:
Physical requirements most often associated with this type of training and/or related employment include:

Ability to safely lift 20 lbs.
Ability to work with arms in extended position.
Ability to kneel, crouch, and stand on a concrete surface for extended periods.
Ability to sit, walk, stand, climb/balance, rotation of head/neck, flexion (head bent down, head bent back), twisting at the waist, handling/grasping, and fine finger manipulation.
Ability to work in a noisy environment with an elevated level of debris.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Minimum vision of 20/200 correctable to 20/20.
- Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less, 20 feet or more, the ability to bring objects into sharp focus, judge distance and space relationships, and identify and/or distinguish colors.
- Adequate vision to read printed materials, blue prints, and computer screens.
Adequate hearing/speech strategies to effectively communicate in person.