Factory Control Academy

Start to build and hone your knowledge in industrial machine control and develop skills in programming, application and
operation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems.

This three-day course builds upon the Digital Foundry’s Machine Control Academy. This course is designed for individuals aiming to enhance their skills in smart connected
systems across various process centers. Developing an understanding of machine-to-machine communication, the course covers the fundamentals of Supervisory Control and
Data Acquisition (SCADA), including the protocols used in modern manufacturing environments.

Participants will learn about and get hands-on introduction to industrial machine control and automation, focusing on Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs).

You will learn about industrial machine control principles and applications, PLCs and how to integrate, program, operate and troubleshoot them, project set-up steps  and the fundamentals of ladder logic programming, sensors and actuators, principles of inputs/outputs (I/O), human machine interface (HMI) systems, how to program them, alarming, sequencing, and feedback control, common digital communication protocols and introduction to Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Training will include understanding how PLCs work and the benefits they provide for automation in manufacturing, working with and learning about several leading PLC brands (Siemens, Rockwell Automation/Allen Bradley, Phoenix Contact and a little on Keyence), how to program using ladder logic and other programming languages and becoming versed in design, set-up, implementation and troubleshooting of automated machine control systems.

The overall goal of the program is to give participants the confidence to program, troubleshoot, implement, improve, and develop automated machine control systems. Classes will consist of a series of lessons using Digital Foundry curriculum, hands-on laboratory exercises, demonstrations and coding exercises. After each section a knowledge check (quiz) will be taken along with instructor observation and evaluation of student comprehension during labs. Successful completion of this program results in a certificate of completion/micro credential from the Digital Foundry

Course Benefits
• Understand how SCADA works, and the benefits provided for automation and manufacturing.
• Learn how to build a digital backbone to enable scalability across your operations.
• Enhance your ability to leverage smart manufacturing building blocks across multiple operation sites.
• Extend SCADA basics with Python programming and leveraging SQL database methods.

Fee

$1,800 (discounted from the revised price of $2,250 thanks to generous financial support from the EDA-funded Build Back Better grant). DFNK members are eligible for additional discounts.

For questions about the course, please contact Steve Leonard, Digital Foundry, at 724-472-1191 or steve@digitalfoundrynk.com

For assistance with registration, please contact Alyssa Pistininzi, Penn State New Kensington at 724-472-1180 or amp7089@psu.edu