Professional Certificate of Competency in Industrial Automation Engineering

Module 1: Introduction

• History of automation
• Need for automation
• Simple automatic systems
• Basic elements
• Types of automation
• Basic measurements and data acquisition
• Introduction to PLC, SCADA and DCS
• Process block diagrams and system requirements

Module 2: Control Systems

• Introduction and need
• On/off control
• Open loop
• Closed loop
• PLC
• SCADA
• Hardware and software

Module 3: Process Control

• Introduction to control engineering
• Modelling
• PID control and tuning
• Ziegler–Nichols methods
• Time delay systems
• Sequence controls
• Components in process control systems
• Industrial case studies

Module 4: Instrumentation

• Basic measurements
• Element symbols
• Types of measurements
• Control valves
• Transducers
• Sensors, actuators, meters and transmitters

Module 5: Mechanical Systems – Hydraulics & Pneumatics

• Introduction
• Symbols (both hydraulic and pneumatic)
• Pumps and air compressors
• Hydraulic and pneumatic valves
• Heat exchangers and FRPs
• Hydro-motors and cylinders (both hydraulic and pneumatic)
• Design/troubleshoot hydraulic and pneumatic circuits/problems

Module 6: Electrical Systems

• Introduction
• Power sources
• AC and DC drives
• Limit switches
• Proximity switches
• Relays and contactors
• Variable speed drives

Module 7: Electronic Systems

• Introduction
• Active and passive elements
• Logic circuits and gates
• Transistors
• Integrated circuit chips
• FET and MOSFET
• Embedded systems
• Feedback systems

Module 8: Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)

• Need
• Types
• Input /output devices
• Control systems
• Display units
• HMI
• UPS
• Remote terminal units (RTU)
• Basic programming

Module 9: SCADA and DCS

• Introduction and basic objectives
• Architecture – Hardware and software
• Components
• Types
• SCADA programming
• Applications of SCADA and DCS

Module 10: Safety and Reliability

• Need for safety in automation
• Risk assessment and components for safety
• In-built design for safety and reliability of various components
• Role of automation in safety systems
• Functional ISO safety standards
• CIP safety
• Training in machinery safety

Module 11: Networking

• Basics
• Industrial networks topology
• Ethernet
• Internet of things – working, applications, cloud, edge computing etc.
• Threats and vulnerabilities
• Types
• Security systems and encryption

Module 12: Cyber Physical Systems

• Introduction
• Industry 4.0
• Robotics
• Industrial automation use cases
  • a) Pharmaceuticals, b) Material handling
  • c) Steel mills, d) Plastics processing
  • e) Packaging, f) Printing, g) 3-D printing
  • Design/build simple automatic circuits using basic elements.

• Simulate their working by constructing models for the above.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to appreciate the role of automation to boost productivity with greater degree of reliability, repeatability and efficiency. Students will be able to design/troubleshoot simple electrical, electronic, manufacturing, hydraulic and pneumatic circuits/problems. He/she will be able to decide on operating sequences and make schematic operating methods for different industrial control systems, machineries and processes. Students will also be able to decide if a process qualifies for automation by analyzing the requirements of the manufacturing methods and processing. This forms the basis for further advanced study and research in the field of automation.

To obtain a certificate of completion for EIT’s Professional Certificate of Competency course, students must achieve a 65% attendance rate at the live, online fortnightly webinars.  Detailed summaries or notes can be submitted in lieu of attendance.  In addition, students must obtain a mark of 60% in the set assignments which could take the form of written assignments and practical assignments. Students must also obtain a mark of 100% in quizzes.  If a student does not achieve the required score, they will be given an opportunity to resubmit the assignment to obtain the required score.

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Payment Methods

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Automation personnel are in great demand throughout the world.  Manufacturing, networking, transportation, safety, defense, utilities and so on are some areas where they are much sought after. Skilled people are either absorbed in such units or they can freelance their skills as automation professionals.

This course may use the following software:

• Codesys

Due to ongoing unit and course reviews, software’s may change from the list provided. Learn more about the Practical Learning at EIT here

You are expected to spend approximately 5-8 hours per week learning the course content. This includes attending fortnightly webinars that run for about 90 minutes to facilitate class discussion and allow you to ask questions. This program has a 65% attendance requirement in the live webinars in order to graduate from the program.  If you are unable to attend the live webinars, you have the option of watching the recording of completed webinars and sending a summary of what you have learnt from the webinar to the Learning Support officer.  The summaries go towards your attendance requirement for the program.

This program is run online on an intensive part-time basis and has been designed to fit around full-time work. It will take three months to complete.

We understand that sometimes work commitments and personal circumstances can get in the way of your studies, so if at any point you feel that you are struggling with the pace of the course or finding a particular module challenging, you are encouraged to contact your designated Learning Support Officer for assistance.

Registrations are open for our upcoming intakes. Please ensure you book your place at least one week before the start date of the program.