Mechanical Engineering Technology - Robotics and Automation (Co-op)
Program details
Credential: 3-Year Ontario College Advanced Diploma
This three-year co-op diploma program is designed to provide students with theoretical and applied knowledge of robotics and automated equipment. Emphasis is placed on the control of automated equipment using electronics, programmable automation controllers (PACs), robotics, computers, hydraulics and pneumatics. The students' skills will also be developed in the areas of computer-aided design (CAD), mechanical technology, electrical motors, servomechanisms and industrial manufacturing. Hands-on practical applications will be used to reinforce theoretical aspects.
Graduates of this program are prepared for employment in the areas of mechanical engineering technology, automation programming and maintenance, automation and robotics marketing, equipment design, installation and troubleshooting.
Student availability & wage data
Conestoga College facilitates recruitment on an ongoing basis - there are no hard deadlines. Typical time frames for work terms are listed below.
Postings are accepted beginning four months before the start of a term until all students have secured employment provided the minimum 12 consecutive weeks of full-time work is met.
Work/Study Sequence
| Year | Fall (Sept - Dec) | Winter (Jan - Apr) | Spring (May - Aug) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Classes | Classes | Work Term 1: $17.20-25 |
| Year 2 | Classes | Work Term 2: $17.20-25 | Classes |
| Year 3 | Work Term 3: $18-27 | Classes | Classes |
Conestoga College collects data on hourly wages of co-operative education students and offers suggested ranges as a service to employers for the purpose of establishing fair and competitive compensation.
Our experience has been that employers increase wages as skills increase, particularly when employing students for more advanced work terms. The Co-operative Education Office can provide assistance to employers in establishing appropriate wage rates.
Work term capabilities
Specific skills and abilities that students are typically capable of performing during a given work term are listed below.
Work term 1
- Hydraulic and pneumatic circuit design
- Familiar with Windows, Visual Basic and Microsoft Office
- Provide assistance to engineering teams on fundamental problems, extracting information from manuals and interpreting drawings and standards
- Experimental design and interpretation of results
- Produce detail and assembly drawings using AutoCAD
- Create solid models/assemblies using SolidWorks
- Fundamental understanding of PLCs and Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs)
- Electronic circuit design and troubleshooting
- Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
- Materials testing and analysis
Work term 2
- Able to program Allen-Bradley, OMRON and Siemens programmable logic controllers (PLCs)
- Conduct equipment maintenance, troubleshooting and modification
- Perform robotic programming
- Able to design digital circuits with microprocessors
- Provide assistance with material handling to engineering teams
- Conduct material selection and stress analysis
- Electrical panel design and commissioning
Work term 3
- Design and set-up automated systems
- Understand and implement workcell safety standards
- Maintenance, repair and troubleshooting of electrical/mechanical control systems
- Design of tooling for automation
- Programming of control systems
- Selection of sensors and actuators
Sample job titles
Work term 1:
- AutoCAD Operator
- Equipment Operator
- Maintenance Person
- Materials Tester
- Controls Technician
- Manufacturing Engineering Technologist
- PLC Programmer
- Robotic Technician
- Electrical Designer
- Mechanical Detailer
- Process Engineering Technologist
- Quality Assurance Assistant
Post a co-op job now
Setup an account or login to Conestoga's MyCareer to post a job.
Contact information
Do you need help developing a recruitment plan or job posting, accessing wage information, or connecting with a talented co-op student? Contact:
Melissa Deneault
Employer Relations Consultant
Mdeneault@conestogac.on.ca
226-339-7953