Catalog 2025-2026

Advanced Manufacturing and Design, Advanced Manufacturing and 3D Prototyping - Certificate

  • Stem

ETCA

To enroll in this certificate program, students must have successfully completed the Manufacturing and Design certificate concentration (ETCI). See Manufacturing and Design for more information.

Today modern manufacturing depends upon the use of computers, robots, CNC and 3D-printing technology and digital technology and PLCs. This program builds on the basic skills and knowledge developed in the Manufacturing and Design certificate (ETCI). The certificate will increase CNC programming skills and introduce the concepts of rapid prototyping, digital direct manufacturing and the use of 3D-laser scanning and 3D-printing. The courses will make extensive use of 3D-modeling with SolidWorks, tool control with G and M codes and MasterCam. Students will also develop a basic understanding of digital systems and the programming of PLCs. The final course is a capstone course, requiring 140 hours of an industry practicum or internship.

The certificate can be completed in one spring semester and one summer session. The accelerated version requires attending classes four days a week. The combination of the two certificates, ETCI and ETCA, can be applied toward the Advanced Manufacturing and Design A.S. degree without a loss of credit.

Note: Many courses require prerequisites, corequisites and/or testing. See course descriptions for details.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:

  1. Ability to quantitatively analyze technical problems, and produce a solutions.
  2. Ability to program PLC devices
  3. Ability to construct a logical flow process
  4. Ability to utilize Master Cam for CNC programming
  5. Ability to plan and execute CNC projects
  6. Ability to translate Solidworks and Mastercam files to 3D printing
  7. Ability to plan and execute a rapid prototype project
  8. Ability to apply CNC skills to an internship experience
  9. Ability to troubleshoot a manufacturing process
  10. Ability to produce a complete internship report

Certificate Requirements

AEES 1030Introduction to Digital Systems3
AEES 1060Robotics and Control3
ETCN 2100Computer Aided Manufacturing 13
ETCN 2200CNC Machining II 13
ETCN 23003D-Modeling and Prototyping3
ETCN 2500Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Practicum/Capstone^4
Subtotal19
Total Hours19
1

Seven-week course

^

Work-based learning course

Recommended Course Sequence (Accelerated Version)

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Hours
Spring semester:  
AEES 1030 Introduction to Digital Systems 3
AEES 1060 Robotics and Control 3
ETCN 2100 Computer Aided Manufacturing 1 3
ETCN 2200 CNC Machining II 1 3
ETCN 2300 3D-Modeling and Prototyping 3
 Hours15
Summer Session
ETCN 2500 Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Practicum/Capstone^ 4
 Hours4
 Total Hours19
1

Seven-week course

^

Work-based learning course