Advanced Manufacturing Technology | Gateway Technical College

Gain hands-on experience with tools and equipment you’ll use in the field as you operate and program robotics, troubleshoot automated machinery and interface with programmable logic controllers.
Cutting-edge training labs will expose you to the latest technology and precision instruments so that you have the confidence to succeed in any professional environment.
Prepare for industry-recognized certifications that show employers you can deliver next-generation quality service and help you stand out from the competition.
Study-abroad opportunities allow you to develop cross-cultural competence needed in the global Industry 4.0 and prepare you for academic and career success.
Prepare for Industry 4.0. Gateway has fine-tuned this hands-on training to make you a top choice for career opportunities with emerging and established employers who are using the latest technology.

Program Credits

65

LOCATION

SC Johnson iMET Center

Financial Aid Eligible

Yes

ESTIMATED PROGRAM COST

Tuition & Fees: $12,296
Books and Supplies: $5,112

Start Dates

Fall

Salary Outlook

$70,262

Career Opportunities:

Automation Technician, Automation Engineering Tech, Maintenance Technician, Mechatronics Technician, Electromechanical Technician, Control Systems Technician

Advanced Manufacturing Technology Career Pathway

Career Pathways are designed to help you reach your educational goals and explore college and career options. Pathways are made up of related certificates, diplomas and degrees that build on common skills and knowledge. You can begin at any point on the Career Pathway and customize your pathway to fit your goals. View the pathway for your area of interest.

There are many opportunities, both in high school and through previous college, work, and/or military experience, to earn credit for prior learning at Gateway.

Certificates include a streamlined set of courses in a specific program area, providing a set of industry-recognized skills preparing students for entry-level employment. Certificate opportunities in this pathway include:

Mechanical Maintenance Technician

Technical diplomas help students learn hands-on occupational skills in as little as one or two years for full-time students. Technical diploma opportunities in this pathway include:

Electromechanical Maintenance Technician

Associate degrees are typically completed in two years by full-time students and combine hands-on technical skills with general education. Associate degree opportunities in this pathway include:

Advanced Manufacturing Technology

Prepare to enter your exciting new career, or choose to continue your education with another Gateway program or by transferring your credits to a four-year college or university.

Curriculum Sheet:

10-664-2 Advanced Manufacturing Technology Full-Time 2025-26 Curriculum Sheet.pdf

Part Time Curriculum:

10-664-2 Advanced Manufacturing Technology Part-Time 2025-26 Curriculum Sheet.pdf

Course Number: 890-155Credits: 1.00

In this course, students explore the Gateway Technical College community. They examine college resources and services, investigate skills that lead to academic success, and identify strategies for achieving educational and personal goals.

Course Number: 664-100Credits: 2.00

In this course, learners are introduced to basic concepts of industrial computer-controlled systems. The learner explores various types of programming using robots and PLC and participates in lab experiments designed to introduce programming principles, electronic inputs and outputs (analog nd digital), and communication between system components including Ethernet protocols. Upon completion of the course, learners will be able to explain how the control processes are utilized to automate manufacturing facilities.

Course Number: 664-110Credits: 2.00

In this course, learners are introduced to microprocessor controlled electromechanical systems. The learner examines how individual components work, and how they are integrated into simple systems. Upon completion of the course, learners will understand what technicians do in the workplace and how industry utilizes Mechatronics in advanced manufacturing.

Course Number: 664-116Credits: 2.00

In this course, learners explore skills and tools necessary to fully participate in a lean, continuous improvement manufacturing environment. These include standardized work instructions, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), mistake-proofing, changeover reduction, ergonomics, root cause analysis, Six Sigma, and quality management. Learners are introduced to basic statistical tools and fundamental concepts needed to improve and control industrial processes. Upon completion of the course, learners will be able to use statistical tools to improve processes, define problems, set priorities, predict outcomes, and identifiy causes of quality problems.

Course Number: 664-105Credits: 2.00

In this course, learners are introduced to programming techniques for industrial robots. The learner examines teach pendant programming including I/O, routines, decision making, six frames of positional operation, and robot communication. Upon completion of the course, learners will be able to operate and program industrial robots commonly used in Industry 4.0.

Course Number: 628-109Credits: 3.00

This course covers the basic mechanical skills needed by a technician. Skills covered include the use and care of hand tools and small power tools, drilling, tapping, removal of broken bolts, studs, and helicoil insertion. Basic measuring tools and techniques are also covered. Other topics include type and use of fasteners, lubricants and adhesives used in repair, and assembly of automated machines.

Course Number: 612-102Credits: 3.00

The fundamental principles and physical laws governing fluid power and pneumatics are studied. The operation of the various control valves and actuators will be explored through a combination of theory and practical lab exercises.

Course Number: 620-108Credits: 3.00

Industrial electrical hardware such as motors and controls are studied. Industrial electrical control circuits are developed and wired. Troubleshooting techniques are used to correct problems in wiring or controls. Motor starters, industrial control relays, timers, proximity switches, and electric eyes are studied, including proper selection and wiring techniques. Ladder logic and wiring diagrams are examined and drawn. This course is for an individual that already has a basic understanding of electricity.

Course Number: 664-112Credits: 3.00

In this course, learners examine the fundamental skills of machining processes for a career in Advanced Manufacturing Technology. Lathes, mills, and grinders will be the primary machines explored. An overview of machining processes is presented. Setup and operation, manual lathes and mills, CNC lathes and mills, basic programming using G and M codes, and tooling required for lathes and mills will be presented. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to develop a machining process plan.

Course Number: 664-104Credits: 2.00

In this course, learners develop machine process automation control systems with temperature, pressure, flow, and level controls. Learners investigate the utilization of PID loops in PLC program design. Learners program a PLC using vision, smart sensors, Servos, motor controls, and analog IO. Learners develop PLC programs including Human Machine Interface (HMI) with displays for machine input and output data. Upon completion of the course, learners will be able to build a PLC motion project for basic machine process automation control systems.

Course Number: 804-134Credits: 3.00

All college students, regardless of their college major, need to be able to make reasonable decisions about fiscal, environmental, and health issues that require quantitative reasoning skills. An activity based approach is used to explore numerical relationships, graphs, proportional relationships, algebraic reasoning, and problem solving using linear, exponential and other mathematical models. Students will develop conceptual and procedural tools that support the use of key mathematical concepts in a variety of contexts.

Course Number: 664-103Credits: 3.00

In this course, learners examine the fundamentals of electrical AC/DC/Servo/Stepper motors and motor controls. Learners will examine electrical safety work practices and apply NFPA 70 and NEC safety codes to various situations. Motor control devices and components (motor drives, relays, timers, counters, motor contactors, overloads) including electromechanical and solid state equipment will be presented. Learners will operate motors using PLCs. Upon completion of the course, learners will apply ladder logic, wiring diagrams, and PLCs to advanced manufacturing machines.

Course Number: 664-118Credits: 3.00

In this course, students develop programming skills for PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) and HMI (Human Machine Interfaces). Students create PLC programs in various languages such as Ladder Diagram (LD), Structured Text (ST), Function Block Diagram (FBD), Sequential Function Chart (SFC). Students create visual HMI programs for manufacturing systems. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to create PLC and HMI applications for the manufacturing environment.

Course Number: 809-195Credits: 3.00

An introductory course which describes, analyzes, and critiques factors which influence the overall performance of the economic system. Topics include supply-demand analysis, national income determination models, fiscal and monetary policy, money, financial institutions, the federal reserve system, unemployment, poverty, international trade, economic growth, inflation, and environmental deterioration. The links between economic problems, theory, and public policy are emphasized.

Course Number: 801-136Credits: 3.00

This course is designed for learners to develop knowledge and skills in all aspects of the writing process. Planning, organizing, writing, editing and revising are applied through a variety of activities. Students will analyze audience and purpose, use elements of research, and format documents using standard guidelines. Individuals will develop critical reading skills through analysis of various written documents.

Course Number: 664-120Credits: 2.00

In this course, learners are introduced to theoretical and practical topics of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The learner investigates the range of sensor and actuator devices available, ways in which they communicate and compute, methods for getting information to and from IIoT-enabled devices, and ways of visualizing and processing data acquired from the IIoT. Upon completion, learners will utilize hardware and software to construct a sensor network within an existing system and utilize industry standard tools to visual the acquired data.

Course Number: 664-123Credits: 2.00

In this course, students explore advanced programming techniques for industrial robots. They examine interfacing peripheral devices such as programmable logic controllers, industrial sensors, and human-machine interfaces to a robot. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to apply advanced programming techniques to industrial robots.

Course Number: 664-119Credits: 3.00

In this course, students examine networks and protocols used in advanced manufacturing systems. They investigate hardware components, data transmission systems, communication lines, data sets, and interface protocols. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to analyze networking systems for advanced manufacturing.

Course Number: 606-128Credits: 2.00

Students use Solidworks software to create solid models of various machine components. They also convert solid parts into conventional 2-D orthographic drawings which include sections, auxiliary views, and dimensions. Students create assembly drawings and configurations of various parts.

Course Number: 809-198Credits: 3.00

This course introduces students to some of the major theories and topics of psychology, including the physiological basis of behavior, personality and learning theories, memory, states of consciousness, stress, research methods, intelligence, human development, psychopathology, and social behavior.

Course Number: 664-121Credits: 2.00

In this course, learners will utilize 2D cameras, lighting systems and smart sensors in machine applications to provide imaging-based automatic inspection and analysis for such applications as automatic inspection, process control, and robot guidance. Learners will use vision systems to: sort good and bad parts; identify, position and orient objects images for robot guidance and orientation using edge detection; blob detection; pattern recognition; image acquisition; and bar code and QR code recognition. Learners will integrate smart sensors into PLC machine applications. Upon completion of this course learners will apply camera and smart sensors into a machine process application.

Course Number: 664-124Credits: 3.00

In this course, students design a complex integrated automation system. They use industrial robotics, programmable logic controllers, pneumatics/hydraulics, and sensors to develop the system. Upon successful completion, students will be able to design, program, troubleshoot, and improve a functional industrial automation system.

Course Number: 664-115Credits: 2.00

In this course, learners build foundation skills needed to read and interpret industrial prints. These skills, used to interpret industrial prints, are presented in a logical order: title blocks, change blocks, shop notes, symbols, lines, orthographic views, section views, auxiliary views, pictorial views, and assembly views. Learners interpret part geometric dimensions and tolerances using basic math skills. Upon completion of the course, learners will be able to read, interpret, and apply drawing content to advanced industrial equipment.

Course Number: 664-113Credits: 3.00

In this course, students explore how members of a team contribute to the success of project execution. They investigate work measurement analysis tools and the planning and layout of a manufacturing operation. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to recommend improvements to the manufacturing process.

Course Number: 664-117Credits: 2.00

In this course, learners examine the relationship between the properties and processes of various materials used in advanced industrial equipment. The properties include: mechanical strength, chemistry, and basic material characteristic. The processes include: modern manufacturing techniques, fabricating, casting, metallic finishes, plating and chip removal. Upon completion of the course, learners will be able to match materials and processes used in the manufacture of equipment.

Course Number: 801-198Credits: 3.00

This course explores the fundamentals of effective oral presentation to small and large groups. Topic selection, audience analysis, methods of organization, research, structuring evidence and support, delivery techniques, and other essential elements of speaking successfully, including the listening process, form the basis of the course.

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Application for Admission & Application Fee
Students must meet one of the following multiple measures: earned a technical diploma or higher,* earned a minimum high school GPA of 2.6, earned a minimum college GPA of 2.0 or submit ACT or Accuplacer test scores. Submit any needed transcripts or test scores. *Please note short term technical diplomas do not fulfill Multiple Measures. These programs include Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced EMT, and Truck Driving.