HNC Mechatronics (Infill) Level 7

Eligible Schools

All Ayrshire schools

This course is for school pupils only

Location/Day/Time

Overview

Scotland has a world-renowned reputation for engineering and is at the cutting edge of engineering developments. Engineers design, create, test and improve all sorts of products and processes. They have an impact on every aspect of modern living and enjoy exciting career opportunities in lots of different sectors, including space, aviation, transport, medicine, technology, food, fashion and construction. If you've got a logical and inquisitive mind, enjoy problem-solving and are curious to know how things work, you've got it in you to make a great engineer!

Right now, qualified engineers are in extremely high demand, with thousands of new engineers needed every year in Scotland alone. Ayrshire College is an ideal choice for studying Engineering: We have STEM Assured Status which means we have been recognised for the quality of our Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths courses.

We've invested in our equipment, so you'll be learning using the latest industry-standard technology. We won Training Partner of the Year at the prestigious SEMTA (Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance) Skills Awards in 2017. We've also got an excellent record of employment for our engineering students.

For entry to this course, you'll need:

• a real interest in working in engineering A minimum of of grade C or above in Higher Maths and/or Physics OR a relevant NC course at SCQF Level 6 or equivalent, such as NC Manufacturing Engineering
• an interview with us

If you don't have any formal qualifications but have appropriate experience or other training, we'll also consider you for a place, so please call us for a chat.

Course Content

Mechatronics combines electronics and mechanical engineering. This combination is used in the design of products and manufacturing. Application of mechatronics results in synchronizing a mechanical structure with its control, using electronic systems. An industrial robot is a good example of mechatronics.

The main areas of study include:

• Mechatronic Systems
• Robotics & Animatronics
• Interfacing Electronics
• Electrical Engineering
• CNC
• Pneumatics and Hydraulics
• Applications of PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)
• CAD for Engineers
• Safety Engineering and Environment

In addition to this there will also be classes in Engineering, Mathematics and Communications.

We have invested over £500K in three CNC Mazak and Doosan machines and Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi, Siemens and SMC training rigs to help you learn about all the main areas of automation engineering. On this course you will gain experience in the following technologies:

• electrical
• pneumatic
• vacuum
• electric motors
• sensors
• programme controllers
• manipulators
• motion controllers

You will be able to take a process from start to finish and look intelligently at fault diagnosis to find rapid solutions.

At the end of the course you will have learned skills in analysis, trouble shooting, designing, technical document creation and understanding, operation and programming.

You will gain knowledge, understanding and skills in:

• electronics
• electrical engineering
• computer technology
• control engineering
• mechanical engineering

Entry Requirements

For entry to this course, you’ll need:

• a real interest in electrical and mechanical engineering
• a minimum of one relevant Higher at Grade C or above, preferably Mathematics or Physics

For employed candidates this course is also available on Part-Time/Day Release basis. To discuss this option and to obtain further information please contact the department by emailing lynn.anderson@ayrshire.ac.uk

When you successfully complete this course, you’ll have the choice of:

• moving onto a relevant HND course such as Engineering Systems
• moving onto an engineering degree course at university
• seeking to start your career with a Modern Apprenticeship in a variety of engineering disciplines

How will I be assessed?

Continual assessment

What should I expect

This course will give you sound knowledge and understanding in the core aspects of electrical and mechanical engineering, as well as robotics and automation while giving you the opportunity to specialise in several key areas. Your classes will consist of classroom-based theory work and incorporate some practical work to apply your knowledge to real life engineering problems.

Careers and Further Study

• moving on to a relevant HND course such as Engineering Systems
• moving on to an engineering degree course at university
• seeking to start your career with a Modern Apprenticeship in a variety of engineering disciplines.