This program is offered as hybrid.
Hybrid instruction is a mixture of in-person work and online instruction. Complete coursework remotely and come into the classroom only for labs and hands-on skills.
Classroom Hours
Day: M-Th 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Day: F 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Eve: M-Th 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
At Ogden-Weber Tech, experience is everything. That means you’ll have more one-on-one time with instructors and real-world tools than behind books and computers. In the Automation Technology program, your class experience will be competency-based and hands-on, focused on preparing you to join this industry’s workforce.
The Automation Technology program supports a wide variety of mechanical and automated systems to help students obtain the necessary skills in robotics, electrical controls, fluid power systems, industrial mechanics, PLC programming, and other relevant technologies. Designed to help students become technicians in several critical industries, the Automation Technology program introduces students to industry-standard tools, practices and procedures.
The Automation Technology program supports a wide variety of mechanical and automated systems. This program is designed to help prepare students with the necessary skills to become technicians in several critical industries. Students are introduced to a wide variety of tools, practices, and procedures. The program uses a competency based hands-on approach, with other teaching methods that are
employed throughout.
Program Objectives
Mike Tolson has over 20 years of mechanical maintenance experience, including 18 years in the manufacturing industry and 12 years of industrial automated machine build, setup and training experience. Mike graduated from the Ogden-Weber Technical College Industrial Automation Maintenance program in 2016, and in 2017, Mike became a full time instructor so that he can continue his passion of conveying his knowledge to others. Mike truly enjoys being a part of others’ success and will do what it takes to help students obtain their goals. Meet with Mike →
Office Hours: M: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tues-Th: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Fri: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. by appointment | Location: Manufacturing Tech 100D
Clint Hammer worked 29 years as an Electrical Technician at Fresenius Medical Group, with a decade spent as a Senior Technician. His expertise is bolstered by a Journeyman Electrical Technician certification from OTECH. Clint's career ambition centers on becoming an exceptional industrial automation instructor while continually enhancing his skill set. Clint's dedication, combined with his wealth of experience, positions him as a pivotal figure in the field of industrial automation, poised to inspire future generations and drive innovation. Meet with Clint →
Office Hours: Mon – Tue: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wed & Th: 1 p.m. – 9 p.m., Fri: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Location: Manufacturing Tech 100C
Adam is a seasoned Maintenance Tech with over 17 years of experience in Industrial Automation. He has worked for several local manufacturing companies, including Pictsweet, Neutracutical, and Fresenius Medical Care. He graduated from OWATC in Industrial Automation in 2013 and attended Garden City Community College in Kansas, where he became certified to work on industrial ammonia refrigeration systems. Adam aims to continue to learn and grow by exploring new technologies in the field. He also aspires to mentor the next generation of industrial maintenance technicians.
Office Hours: Mon – Tue: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m., Wed – Fri: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Location: Manufacturing Tech 100D
Student Support Specialists are professionally trained and available for all students at the college. They are available to assist students who have questions regarding their program, progress and attendance, and program changes. The specialist can assist students with campus and program policies or procedures, student rights, as well as the policy and processes involved in student complaints. The student support specialist staff is also available to discuss personal/family matters, address emergency situations, and provide referrals to college and community services. Habla español.
Meet with Joshua →
Admissions advisors help potential students explore college programs, become familiar with the resources available (including financial assistance), get in touch with instructors and more. Contact or visit Admissions to learn more.
Schedule an appointment with Andrew → Location: Manufacturing Tech 100H
Fluid power encompasses both pneumatic and hydraulic control systems. Coursework includes pressure measurement, regulation, and control, direct and pilot-operated directional control valves, motors, and cylinders. Students will learn to read and design fluid power diagrams, then use those skills to build and troubleshoot fluid power controls. These systems are commonly used in material handling in all types of automated systems, as well as high-speed precision assembly and lifecycle testing machinery.
Students learn the basics of AC/DC electrical system, and explore the relationships between voltage and current as they apply to resistance, inductance, and capacitance. They learn to read and apply industry standard symbology to create and troubleshoot both simple and complex electrical circuits comprising switches, resistors, inductors, and capacitors. The intent of this class is not to shock the student, but to leave them a little thunderstruck.
Electrical motor controls coursework gives the student experience in reading, creating, and applying the symbology used in the diagrams for motor control systems used throughout industry. Lab stations use both single and three-phase electrical circuits common in plant control systems. Lab exercises build from basic start/stop control and progress through more complex circuits such as reversing starters with timing functions. Faults will be introduced to help build troubleshooting skills relevant to any industrial automation system.
Programmable logic controllers are the 'brains' of almost all automated machine control. The PLC curriculum covers the fundamentals of loading, configuring, and troubleshooting Micro820 and CompactLogix PLCs from Rockwell Automation Allen-Bradley, and S7-1200 PLCs from Siemens. Ancillary equipment commonly used with PLCs, including human machine interface terminals, variable frequency drives, I/O, and basic ethernet communications are also covered. Advanced PLC curriculum electives are also available.
Industrial robots perform specific repetitive tasks such as pick and place in manufacturing plants, welding and painting. The robotics curriculum covers robots systems, motion instructions and programming in two platforms: the Fanuc industrial robot and the collaborative universal robot.
The Automation Technology curriculum is focused on providing relevant experience in a setting that matches the ‘real world’ as closely as possible. We strive to leverage that content in a way that prepares our students to take on the challenges they will face in the workforce and help them to be successful. The course content and direction is driven by our local employers and implemented by a team of instructors that all come from industry. We leverage that collective industry experience to bring perspective to the information being presented and make it more meaningful.
Almost every industry uses automation, which allows for a student to find a good fit for their skills and aptitude. Here are a few benefits of choosing industrial automation:
