specialist article
BizLink Training Team Helps Manufacturers Increase Automation Adoption

Whether dealing with COVID-19 guidelines or labor shortage issues, companies have had to find new ways to keep the lights on and get products out the door over the last few years. Manufacturers across several industries have relied on advanced automation technologies more than ever before during these trying times.

#Factory Automation 

Getting the full value out of technologies such as robotics and machine vision requires an understanding of how to operate and troubleshoot systems. Over the last year-plus, the training team at BizLink Robotic Solutions USA has traveled all over the country, providing custom courses designed to educate customers on full system operation — not just individual parts such as PLCs or robots.

System-Based Training

BizLink automation training is a system-driven process. Customers typically include engineers, electricians, operators, and maintenance technicians dealing with automation equipment in industries such as automotive, aerospace, wastewater treatment, and general manufacturing. These customers want to understand not only how to operate individual components but also how the entire system works together.

The BizLink team does not restrict itself to specific brands of hardware or software. Our customers inevitably use different types of robots, PLCs, cameras, and software, so we adapt site-specific training to individual needs. Our courses cater to different audiences — from general operators who need a basic understanding of the equipment in use, to tradespeople maintaining and troubleshooting systems, up to engineering staff who design and build the systems.

“Everything is centered around full understanding of the system,” said Dennis Sutton, training manager with Business Unit Robotic Solutions at BizLink. “Our robot instructors understand how the PLC works, our PLC instructors understand how the robot works, and all instructors understand how everything ties together.”

A six- to eight-week program may start with individual technologies and end in a final class that pulls everything together and empowers the customer to troubleshoot an entire system. All of this, of course, is based entirely on the customer’s individual systems and needs.

“The training group has really come together and excelled in the last few years,” said Sutton. “The amount of work everyone has put in has been exceptional. From developing custom curriculums to traveling city to city, the team has been tremendous.”

We would like to extend our endless gratitude to our entire training team.  Thank you all for the job you’ve done this year, and for everything you do!