Engineering Technologies Certificate Programs:
Engineering Assembly Technician
Engineering Technician
Manufacturing Maintenance Technician
Computer Aided Drafting Technician

*Individual technology degree programs are listed alphabetically in the Programs of Study section. See:
Aviation Maintenance Technology
Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology
Electronic Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Quality Assurance Technology
 

Engineering Technologies offers four focused certificates (see above) that lead to employment opportunities in technology areas. The certificate coursework and preparation means that the student can be gainfully employed earlier, and, in many instances, with companies that offer tuition reimbursement. These certificates can be combined and count toward an associates degree.

The Engineering Technologies Department, located in 312 Eibling Hall and at Bolton Field, is offering a new course, "Introduction to Engineering Technology." It presents an overview of program offerings at Columbus State and the types of jobs that engineering technologists and technicians can expect.

ENGT 100 Introduction to Engineering Technology

This course is designed to introduce the beginning student to Engineering Technologies at Columbus State. The student will complete exploratory assignments in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology, and Electronic Engineering Technology and receive an overview of the jobs engineering technologists and technicians have and the industries involved. Students will participate in engineer interviews and plant tours. Additional topics covered include the industrial revolution, manufacturing and electronics in today's global market, the future of manufacturing and electronics, and Steven Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People".

Engineering Assembly Technician Certificate

Assemblers and fabricators play an important role in the manufacturing process. They are responsible for putting together finished and semi-finished goods, assembling the pieces of components of a product, and joining the components into a whole product.

Assemblers begin by reading detailed schematics or blueprints that show how to assemble complex machines. After determining how parts should connect, they often need to use hand or power tools to trim, shim, cut, and make other adjustments to make components fit together and align properly. Once the parts are properly aligned, they connect parts with bolts and screws or by welding or soldering pieces together. Careful quality control is important throughout the assembly process, so assemblers look for both mistakes in the assembly process and faulty components. They try to help fix problems before more defective products are produced.

Changes in technology have transformed the manufacturing and assembly process. Automated manufacturing systems now use robots, computers, programmable motion control devices, and various sensing technologies. These systems change the way in which goods are made and affect the jobs of those who make them. The more advanced assemblers must be able to work with these new technologies and be comfortable using them to produce goods.

 

Engineering Technician Certificate

Engineering Technicians use application-oriented principles of science, engineering, and mathematics to solve technical problems in research & development and manufacturing. Their work is more limited in scope than that of scientists and engineers. Many engineering technicians assist engineers and scientists, especially in research and development. Others work in quality control, inspecting products and processes, conducting tests, or collecting data. In manufacturing, they may assist in product design, development, or production. Although many workers who repair or maintain various types of electrical, electronic, or mechanical equipment are called technicians, those interested in repair and maintenance should refer to the Manufacturing Maintenance Technician Certificate.

Manufacturing Maintenance Technician Certificate

Electrical equipment and electronic equipment are two distinct types of industrial equipment, although much equipment contains both electrical and electronic components. In general, electrical portions provide the power for the equipment, while electronic components control the device, although many types of equipment still are controlled with electrical devices. Electronic sensors monitor the equipment and the manufacturing process, providing feedback to the programmable logic control (PLC), which controls the equipment. The PLC processes the information provided by the sensors and makes adjustments to optimize output. To adjust the output, the PLC sends signals to the electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic devices that power the machine—changing feed rates, pressures, and other variables in the manufacturing process. Many installers and repairers, known as field technicians, travel to factories or other locations to repair equipment. These workers often have assigned areas in which they perform preventive maintenance on a regular basis. When equipment breaks down, field technicians go to a customer’s site to repair the equipment. Bench technicians work in repair shops located in factories and service centers, fixing components that cannot be repaired on the factory floor.

Computer Aided Drafting Technician Certificate

Drafters prepare technical drawings and plans used by production workers to build manufactured products. Drafters’ drawings provide visual guidelines, show the technical details of the products, and specify dimensions, materials, and procedures. Drafters fill in technical details using drawings, rough sketches, specifications, codes, and calculations previously made by engineers or scientists. Some use their knowledge of engineering and manufacturing theory and standards to draw the parts of a machine to determine design elements. Drafters use technical handbooks, tables, calculators, and computers to complete their work.

Traditionally, drafters sat at drawing boards and used pencils, pens, compasses, protractors, triangles, and other drafting devices to prepare a drawing manually. Most drafters now use Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) systems to prepare drawings. Consequently, some drafters may be referred to as CADD operators. CADD systems employ computers to create and store drawings electronically that can then be viewed, printed, or programmed directly into automated manufacturing systems. These systems also permit drafters to vary designs quickly. Although CADD is used extensively, it is only a tool. Persons who produce technical drawings with CADD still function as drafters and need the knowledge of traditional drafters, in addition to CADD skills. Despite the nearly universal use of CADD systems, manual drafting and sketching still are used in certain applications.