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Industrial Automation & Robotics Course

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Engineering, Construction and Technology

Engineering

Industrial Automation & Robotics Course

For all levels

Industrial Automation & Robotics Course

Master the skills that power modern manufacturing — from PLC programming and robot motion control to industrial networking and HMI design. This course covers the full automation stack, giving you the technical depth to design, commission, and optimise real production systems. If you work in manufacturing or want to break into industrial automation, this is where you start building serious expertise.

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What you will learn:

You will gain hands-on knowledge of PLC hardware, IEC 61131-3 programming languages, and commissioning procedures used on real factory floors. You will learn to program industrial robots using both teach-pendant and offline simulation tools, then integrate them with PLC-controlled systems. The course covers industrial network protocols including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, and OPC UA, so you can connect every device in an automated cell. You will also design HMI screens, configure alarm systems, and link field data to SCADA and MES platforms. Advanced topics include machine vision, variable frequency drives, collaborative robots, digital twins, and AI-powered inspection. By the end, you will be equipped to integrate and optimise complete automated production systems from the ground up.

How you study in practice Industrial Automation & Robotics Course

How you practise Industrial Automation & Robotics Course

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Course content

8 Chapters • 40 LessonsDuration between 4 and 360 hours (you decide)

Chapter 1See details

Foundations of Industrial Automation

Lesson 1 • History and Evolution of Automation
Traces automation from mechanical looms to smart factories, establishing context for modern systems. Connects historical milestones to current industrial paradigms.
Lesson 2 • Types of Automation Systems
Distinguishes fixed, programmable, and flexible automation by production volume and variety requirements. Guides system selection decisions in later chapters.
Lesson 3 • Key Performance Metrics
Defines OEE, cycle time, throughput, and availability as standard measures of automation effectiveness. Establishes benchmarks for evaluating designs introduced later.
Lesson 4 • Core Automation System Components
Identifies sensors, actuators, controllers, and HMIs as the building blocks of any automation system. Provides vocabulary used throughout the course.
Lesson 5 • Safety and Regulatory Fundamentals
Introduces machine safety standards, risk assessment principles, and functional safety concepts. Frames compliance requirements applied in every subsequent chapter.

Chapter 2See details

Electrical and Electronic Fundamentals

Lesson 1 • Measurement and Test Equipment
Introduces multimeters, oscilloscopes, and clamp meters for diagnosing electrical faults. Prepares students for hands-on troubleshooting in subsequent chapters.
Lesson 2 • Industrial Wiring and Schematics
Teaches ladder diagrams, wiring diagrams, and panel layout conventions used in automation facilities. Enables students to read and create documentation for real systems.
Lesson 3 • Sensors and Signal Types
Examines discrete, analogue, and digital sensor outputs and their wiring configurations. Connects sensor selection to controller input requirements covered next.
Lesson 4 • Power Distribution and Protection
Explains transformers, fuses, circuit breakers, and grounding in industrial panels. Ensures students can design safe power distribution for automation cells.
Lesson 5 • DC and AC Circuit Principles
Covers Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's laws, and AC phasor analysis as applied to industrial equipment. Provides the electrical foundation for all hardware topics ahead.

Chapter 3See details

Programmable Logic Controllers

Lesson 1 • Timers, Counters, and Data Handling
Implements TON, TOF, CTU, and data move instructions to build practical control sequences. Bridges basic logic to real process control programmes.
Lesson 2 • IEC 61131-3 Programming Languages
Covers Ladder Diagram, Function Block Diagram, Structured Text, and Sequential Function Chart. Equips students to choose the right language for each application type.
Lesson 3 • PLC Programme Structure and Organisation
Applies tasks, routines, and subroutines to create modular, maintainable PLC projects. Establishes professional coding practices used in industry.
Lesson 4 • PLC Commissioning and Troubleshooting
Guides students through I/O forcing, online monitoring, and fault diagnostics to validate programmes. Prepares graduates for real-world startup and maintenance tasks.
Lesson 5 • PLC Hardware Architecture
Describes CPU, I/O modules, power supply, and backplane as the physical structure of a PLC system. Grounds programming concepts in the hardware students will configure.

Chapter 4See details

Human-Machine Interface Design

Lesson 1 • Data Display and Trending
Builds real-time and historical trend displays, numeric indicators, and bar graphs for process visibility. Connects HMI data to the performance metrics defined in Chapter 1.
Lesson 2 • HMI Hardware and Software Platforms
Surveys panel-mount terminals, PC-based HMIs, and web-based SCADA clients as deployment options. Connects hardware choice to project requirements addressed in design sections.
Lesson 3 • Screen Layout and Navigation Design
Applies ISA-101 display hierarchy principles to create consistent, intuitive screen structures. Reduces operator cognitive load through disciplined layout choices.
Lesson 4 • HMI Security and User Access
Implements role-based access control, audit trails, and session timeouts to protect automation systems. Aligns with functional safety and cybersecurity principles introduced earlier.
Lesson 5 • Alarm Management Systems
Designs alarm priorities, deadbands, and suppression logic following industry best practices. Prevents alarm floods that cause operator errors during abnormal situations.

Chapter 5See details

Industrial Robotics Fundamentals

Lesson 1 • Robot Cell Layout and Integration
Applies reach envelope analysis, fixture design, and peripheral integration to plan a complete robot cell. Prepares students for the full system integration covered in later chapters.
Lesson 2 • Robot Classifications and Configurations
Compares articulated, SCARA, delta, Cartesian, and collaborative robots by workspace and payload. Guides robot selection decisions made in programming chapters.
Lesson 3 • Robot Safety Systems
Covers safety-rated monitored stops, speed and separation monitoring, and collaborative safety functions. Ensures students design compliant robot cells before programming begins.
Lesson 4 • Robot Kinematics and Coordinate Systems
Explains joint space, Cartesian space, forward kinematics, and inverse kinematics for motion planning. Provides the mathematical foundation for trajectory programming.
Lesson 5 • Robot Mechanical Components
Examines servo motors, gearboxes, encoders, and end-of-arm tooling as the physical elements of a robot. Connects mechanical knowledge to maintenance and integration tasks.

Chapter 6See details

Robot Programming and Motion Control

Lesson 1 • Advanced Motion and Force Control
Implements conveyor tracking, force-torque sensing, and adaptive path correction for demanding applications. Extends basic programming skills to high-precision and dynamic tasks.
Lesson 2 • I/O Integration and Programme Logic
Integrates digital and analogue I/O signals into robot programmes using wait, set, and conditional instructions. Connects robot motion to the PLC-controlled systems from Chapter 3.
Lesson 3 • Offline Programming and Simulation
Creates robot programmes in simulation software, validates reach, and exports code to the controller. Reduces physical robot downtime during programme development.
Lesson 4 • Motion Instructions and Path Optimisation
Applies MoveJ, MoveL, MoveC, and blending parameters to achieve smooth, efficient robot paths. Directly improves cycle time and tool life in production programmes.
Lesson 5 • Teach-Pendant Programming Basics
Uses jog modes, point teaching, and motion type selection to create basic robot programmes on the pendant. Builds hands-on confidence before advancing to offline methods.

Chapter 7See details

Industrial Networks and Communication

Lesson 1 • Industrial Ethernet Protocols
Implements EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, and Modbus TCP for high-speed device integration. Connects modern network skills to robot and drive integration tasks.
Lesson 2 • Industrial Network Fundamentals
Introduces OSI model layers, network topologies, and the distinction between IT and OT networks. Establishes the conceptual framework for all protocol-specific sections.
Lesson 3 • OPC UA and Data Integration
Uses OPC UA to expose PLC and robot data to SCADA, MES, and cloud platforms securely. Bridges field-level data to enterprise systems discussed in advanced chapters.
Lesson 4 • Fieldbus Protocols
Configures PROFIBUS, DeviceNet, and Modbus RTU for connecting field devices to controllers. Covers legacy protocols still prevalent in existing industrial installations.
Lesson 5 • Network Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
Applies packet capture, ping tests, and device diagnostics to isolate and resolve network faults. Builds systematic fault-finding skills applicable across all protocol types.

Chapter 8See details

System Integration and Advanced Applications

Lesson 1 • SCADA and MES Connectivity
Links field-level automation data to SCADA dashboards and MES production tracking systems. Enables enterprise-wide visibility of the OEE metrics defined in Chapter 1.
Lesson 2 • Variable Frequency Drives and Motion Control
Configures VFDs and servo drives for speed, torque, and position control in automated systems. Adds motion control capability to the PLC and robot skills already developed.
Lesson 3 • Full Cell Integration and Commissioning
Executes a structured commissioning sequence: mechanical checks, I/O verification, dry runs, and production trials. Synthesises all prior chapter skills into a complete system startup.
Lesson 4 • Machine Vision Integration
Deploys vision systems for part inspection, guidance, and barcode reading within automated cells. Connects vision outputs to robot and PLC programmes for closed-loop control.
Lesson 5 • Performance Optimisation and Continuous Improvement
Applies cycle time analysis, bottleneck identification, and parameter tuning to improve system output. Closes the course with a structured approach to ongoing production improvement.

Certification

Your valid completion certificate

This course is for you:

Maintenance technician: ready to move from fixing machines to programming them.
Mechanical engineer: wanting to add automation and controls knowledge to their skillset.
Recent engineering graduate: looking to bridge the gap between classroom theory and factory reality.
Career changer: coming from IT or electronics and targeting industrial automation roles.
Manufacturing supervisor: aiming to speak the same technical language as their automation team.
Robotics enthusiast: serious about turning hands-on curiosity into a professional engineering career.

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