April 9, 2025
Manufacturing automation is an exciting field, and there is perhaps nothing more fascinating than industrial robotics. You can achieve basic proficiency by taking just one class at GRCC. Then you’re ready for the job market!
Why Robots in Manufacturing
“A robot’s job is to perform repetitive tasks in a consistent way,” said Patrick Van Otteren, Assistant Professor. “This eliminates human error, which improves quality control. It also can eliminate costly injuries due to repetitive strain. Rather than doing monotonous, potentially harmful work, why not learn to program a robot to do it for you?”
While many different brands of robots are used in manufacturing automation, FANUC is one of the premier choices and is a great system to learn. Once you learn to program and operate a FANUC robot, you will be able to translate those skills to other technology brands.
What’s involved in programming a robot?
“You have to think about each task as a series of steps in three dimensions,” Van Otteren said. “First the arm moves to a specific point. Then it performs a function, such as inserting a screw or grabbing a part. Then it moves to another position and does something else. If you can break a task down into repeatable steps, you can program a robot to do them.”
The word “programming” is a bit of a misnomer.
“You are not writing code in the same way you would for a computer,” Van Otteren said. “You’re really selecting steps from a series of menus and putting them in order. Those steps, plus your movement of the machine arm, tell the robot how to move in space.”
Why choose GRCC for your FANUC Certification?
FANUC is headquartered in Detroit, and they offer a four-day robot certification course. Patrick took that course and is a certified instructor. Taking the class at GRCC rather than in Detroit offers some significant benefits. Location is certainly one of them. Cost is also a factor. The beginner course in Detroit is approximately $1,500. The GRCC tuition for this course is less than $500 for in-state residents. However, location and cost are not the only reasons to choose GRCC.
“Our course is based on the same book and same equipment used at FANUC in Detroit, and they have certified our program,” Van Otteren said. “We meet twice per week for seven weeks. GRCC has invested more than $500,000 in the latest technology, and we have six robots at Main Campus. This gives you a lot of hands-on time with the robot, as well as plenty of time to absorb what you’re learning. You’ll earn a certificate plus three college credits that you can build into a degree or other certification, if that is your goal. There are no prerequisites, so it’s a great course for any student.”
Van Otteren notes that automation is the wave of the future.
“Many simple, repetitive tasks will be done by robots,” Van Otteren said. “That means we need people who can program them. What’s great is that even if you have zero experience, you will find this is not a hard skill to pick up. I have had everyone from culinary students to engineering students take this class!”
Once you have passed the course and earned your certification, many doors will open to you.
“This certificate is recognized by West Michigan corporations and businesses nationwide,” Van Otteren said. “It shows you are qualified to operate a robot. Becoming an expert programmer takes practice, but you will have the skills to make a clean transition into an exciting career.”
The FANUC certification course will be offered in person at Main Campus during the summer semester, which begins on May 5. Patrick encourages anyone and everyone to give it a try. Apply to GRCC
“People say, ‘I could never do that work’ but nothing could be further from the truth,” Van Otteren said. “It’s easy to do and can be a lot of fun. This course is designed for people with no background in automation. It’s a highly rewarding skill to master.”
Learn more about the FANUC certification course (EL 171)
This story reported by Julie Hordyk