Robotics Technician, Maintenance
Robotics, or flexible automation, is the technology involving the design, maintenance, and use of robots. Robotics technicians work as part of the team that produces robots, which are machines designed to perform tasks in place of a living agent. Most robots are manipulators--machines that function in place of a human hand and arm. They may also function as walking machines, or teleoperators, using remote control or sensory manipulators. Robots are usually directed by microprocessors, which are tiny computers that are installed in these machines.
Robotics technicians assist manufacturing, mechanical, and electronics engineers in all phases of robotic design, development, production, testing, and operations. Robot maintenance technicians are employed either by the manufacturers and distributors of robots or by the robot users. These technicians are often responsible for the initial installation of the robot. They may then establish an in-house maintenance and repair program. If employed by the robot manufacturer or distributor, maintenance technicians usually respond to service calls. These members of the robotics team work closely with engineers and other technical workers.
Robotics technicians who are trained in computer programming sometimes perform low-level programming and reprogramming of the robots. The technicians often act as the liaison between robotics engineers and the customers who purchase the machines. They may also install the robots at the manufacturing plant or other site where they will be used.
Technical workers called robot assemblers construct the robot for the robot manufacturer according to the design worked out by the robotics engineer. Generally, these workers receive in-house training for this job.
Robot operators actually operate the robots. Some of the larger users of robots provide their own specialized in-plant training programs to instruct their workers in the systems and equipment used to power and control the robots.
Another group of robotics technicians works as robotics trainers. Robotics trainers must have extensive experience installing and maintaining robots. They supervise trainees and less experienced technicians in all aspects of robotics design, installation, and maintenance. Trainers are employed at companies that manufacture robotic systems. They may also provide instruction at trade and technical schools, vocational schools, and some high schools.
Education and Training Requirements
For all jobs in this field you will need at least a high school education with a good background in science and mathematics. Most robotics technicians earn a two-year associate's degree in robot technology. Many colleges, technical institutes, and trade schools offer programs in this field. Your studies will concentrate on hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics, CADD/CAM (computer-assisted design and drafting, and computer-assisted manufacturing) systems, and microprocessors. Robotics manufacturers generally provide additional on-the-job training.
Robot maintenance technicians must often complete an apprenticeship training program to learn how to service the robots. These programs, which usually take two years to complete, combine classroom instruction with on-the-job training. Training includes instruction on how to maintain hydraulic valves and how to operate electronic systems. Although some of the instruction is highly technical, the skills that are taught generally are not very different from those needed to maintain other complex machinery.
Robot manufacturers and vendors often provide training programs to teach employees how to assemble or operate robots and their related electronics systems. Most robot operators need only minimal training. Typically, experienced machine operators require only one week of formal training to adapt their skills to routine operating and monitoring of robots. If you want to become a robotics trainer, you will need at least a two-year associate's degree in robotics technology together with extensive practical experience in robot design, installation, and maintenance work.
Touch up points,
Modify program
Trouble shoot
Repairs
Cable replacements
Servo motor replacements
Gripper repairs
Cylinder repairsEstimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Robotics technicians assist manufacturing, mechanical, and electronics engineers in all phases of robotic design, development, production, testing, and operations. Robot maintenance technicians are employed either by the manufacturers and distributors of robots or by the robot users. These technicians are often responsible for the initial installation of the robot. They may then establish an in-house maintenance and repair program. If employed by the robot manufacturer or distributor, maintenance technicians usually respond to service calls. These members of the robotics team work closely with engineers and other technical workers.
Robotics technicians who are trained in computer programming sometimes perform low-level programming and reprogramming of the robots. The technicians often act as the liaison between robotics engineers and the customers who purchase the machines. They may also install the robots at the manufacturing plant or other site where they will be used.
Technical workers called robot assemblers construct the robot for the robot manufacturer according to the design worked out by the robotics engineer. Generally, these workers receive in-house training for this job.
Robot operators actually operate the robots. Some of the larger users of robots provide their own specialized in-plant training programs to instruct their workers in the systems and equipment used to power and control the robots.
Another group of robotics technicians works as robotics trainers. Robotics trainers must have extensive experience installing and maintaining robots. They supervise trainees and less experienced technicians in all aspects of robotics design, installation, and maintenance. Trainers are employed at companies that manufacture robotic systems. They may also provide instruction at trade and technical schools, vocational schools, and some high schools.
Education and Training Requirements
For all jobs in this field you will need at least a high school education with a good background in science and mathematics. Most robotics technicians earn a two-year associate's degree in robot technology. Many colleges, technical institutes, and trade schools offer programs in this field. Your studies will concentrate on hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics, CADD/CAM (computer-assisted design and drafting, and computer-assisted manufacturing) systems, and microprocessors. Robotics manufacturers generally provide additional on-the-job training.
Robot maintenance technicians must often complete an apprenticeship training program to learn how to service the robots. These programs, which usually take two years to complete, combine classroom instruction with on-the-job training. Training includes instruction on how to maintain hydraulic valves and how to operate electronic systems. Although some of the instruction is highly technical, the skills that are taught generally are not very different from those needed to maintain other complex machinery.
Robot manufacturers and vendors often provide training programs to teach employees how to assemble or operate robots and their related electronics systems. Most robot operators need only minimal training. Typically, experienced machine operators require only one week of formal training to adapt their skills to routine operating and monitoring of robots. If you want to become a robotics trainer, you will need at least a two-year associate's degree in robotics technology together with extensive practical experience in robot design, installation, and maintenance work.
Touch up points,
Modify program
Trouble shoot
Repairs
Cable replacements
Servo motor replacements
Gripper repairs
Cylinder repairsEstimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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