Technical Programs

EPA 608 Certification

Under the regulatory framework outlined in 40 CFR Part 82, Subpart F, pursuant to Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, individuals engaged in the maintenance, servicing, repair, or disposal of equipment capable of emitting ozone-depleting refrigerants into the atmosphere are mandated to obtain certification. Commencing January 1, 2018, this requirement extends to appliances containing most substitute refrigerants, including HFCs.

To attain Section 608 Technician Certification, technicians must successfully pass an EPA-approved test tailored to the specific type of equipment they intend to work on. These tests are administered exclusively by EPA-approved certifying organizations. Notably, Section 608 Technician Certification credentials have a perpetual validity and do not expire.

This comprehensive course spans three full days, featuring in-depth presentations and practice tests on day one and day two. On the third day, a review session is conducted in the morning, followed by testing in the afternoon. The course includes practice tests for each of the four sections of the certification test: CORE, Type I, Type II, and Type III. After reviewing each section, practice tests are administered, corrected, and utilized for further review and study.

Successful completion of the CORE section with a passing grade is a prerequisite for certification in any of the three types. Achieving passing grades in all four sections grants participants a lifelong UNIVERSAL EPA 608 Certification. The course also includes lunch and snack breaks, although food is not provided.

Instructor: Bill Hayes

Bill Hayes, an industry veteran with 40 years of experience in the HVACR Skilled Trades, has joined GCC’s BEST Center as the instructor for the upcoming HVACR program, Basic Air Conditioning & Refrigeration. Holding a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology with a specialization in Air Conditioning design and management, Bill’s career began with eight years at a mechanical contractor in Buffalo, NY, before acquiring a Batavia, NY-based HVACR operation in 1991. In 1997, he expanded his expertise by establishing a HVACR supply house with Sheet Metal fabrication. Bill’s hands-on approach in the early years included fieldwork in HVACR service and installation. Upon retirement from Mechanical Contracting, his company grew to employ 30 individuals with a fleet of 20 vehicles. Bill brings a wealth of knowledge backed by numerous trade certificates and active involvement in professional societies and service organizations. For the past decade, Bill contributed to HVACR education in New York State, providing instruction through Alfred State College’s partnership with the NYS CSEA organization. Holding a certification as an EPA-608 Proctor through the ESCO Institute, Bill’s commitment to education aligns with the BEST Center’s mission to offer comprehensive services and certifications.

Email bestcenter@ngskmc-eis.net to be added to our contact list for our next course offering.

Mechatronics

Mechatronics, Phase 1: Industrial Electronics

Mechatronics, Phase 1: Industrial Electronics focuses on electronic and electrical theory, principles and applications and students develop familiarity with using a wide variety of electrical measuring equipment. Students must have a strong background in electronic and mechanical skills in an industrial environment.

Course Timeline

Topic	Approximate Hours
Electronics/Electricity Class Room Training	55
Instrumentation Review and Practical Applications	20
Practical Electrical Theory, Soldering and Electronic Project Build and Test Class	64
Total Hours (varies depending on student/company needs)	139

Mechatronics, Phase 2: Industrial Controls and PLCs

Mechatronics, Phase 2: Industrial Controls and PLCs covers interpreting electrical prints, building, testing and trouble-shooting electronic panels and related practical applications. Real-world electrical prints of machine tools used in manufacturing plants and factories are utilized throughout the course. Students also gain an understanding of the techniques and mathematics behind wire sizing, properly sizing conduit and mathematically creating angles and proper bends in electrical-metallic tubing (EMT). Students must have passed Mechatronics, Phase 1: Industrial Electronics or have equivalent skills and experience.

Course Timeline

Topic	Approximate Hours
Electrical Print Review, Panel Build/Test and Practical Applications	40
PLC Theory/Fundamentals and PLC Soft Simulator Debugging	40
PLC Practical Application and Troubleshooting Class	60
Total Hours (varies depending on student/company needs)	140

Mechatronics, Phase 3: Advanced Industrial Controls

Mechatronics, Phase 3: Advanced Industrial Controls is designed to maximize PLC and machinery trouble-shooting skills. Key areas include advanced PLC applications and controls’ theory using a fully-functional, scaled-down “Factory Automation Simulator.” The system consists of 4 main factory areas: (1) automated warehousing stacking & storage systems; (2) heat treatment & processing system, complete with turn-table & post-process milling station; (3) laser color sorting & batching system; and (4) 3-axis robotic loading/unloading station with a vacuum-end effecter for parts-handling. Students will gain skills on this multiple-PLC-controlled system featuring system-wide (PLC to PLC) Ethernet IP communication. Students will debug these complex systems using PLCs, panel views and laptops. The main learning objective is the theory, implementation and practical, hands-on understanding of PLCs, their associated electrical devices and how they function and interact with the system’s mechanical hardware. Students must have passed Mechatronics, Phase 2: Industrial Controls & PLCs.

Course Timeline

Topic	Approximate Hours
Introduction to Tag Based PLC programming/Creation and loading of HMI screens	56
Introduction to Industrial Networking of PLC controls, PLC Ethernet IP addressing and configuration	24
Practical application & debug class on 2- and 4- station PLC robotic controlled factory simulator	56
Total Hours (varies depending on student/company needs)	136

Advanced AC Motors & VFD Course

The primary learning objective of this program is the Theory, Implementation and Practical understanding of Variable Frequency Drives and AC Motors and how they function and interact with each other and the mechanical systems that they drive. In addition we cover methods to debug and analyze these systems when they fail using proper test equipment and methods. This will be an instructor-led class building on the concepts of both our Phase 1 Industrial Electronics & Phase 2 Industrial Controls & PLC Class, which is a prerequisite to this program. Students must have passed Mechatronics, Phase 1: Industrial Electronics and Mechatronics, Phase 2: Industrial Controls & PLCs.

Course Timeline

Topic	Approximate Hours
Implementation and practical understanding of Variable Frequency Drives and AC Motors	20
Methods to debug and analyze systems when failure occurs	40
Building on Phase 1 & Phase 2 concepts	36
Total Hours (varies depending on student/company needs)	96

Motor Controls, Transformers & Power Systems

This is an instructor-led class building on the concepts of Advanced AC Motors & VFD. The primary learning objective of this program is for students to further advance their understanding of Motor Controls and associated devices as they apply to the industrial world. The students will be taking an in-depth look into the application and associated affects of variable frequency drivers, motors, transformers and other non-linear loads and studying their collective effects. Students must have passed Advanced AC Motors & VFD.

Introduction to Electric

This course introduces the students to basic principles of electricity with an emphasis on their use in residential and light commercial applications. The student will build and test electrical circuits, learn electric symbology, read, and draw schematics, measure voltage, current, resistance and capacitance using a multimeter, construct electric circuits, and be introduced to various motor types and motor controls. The lab portion of this class will also include identification of wire gauge, color, and insulation, working with conduit and fittings, the application of basic electrical codes, craftsmanship, constructing and troubleshooting parallel and series circuits, customer service and safety. This course is great for entry level technicians, homeowners and DIY individuals.

Email bestcenter@ngskmc-eis.net to be added to our contact list for our next course offering.

CNC Machining: FANUC Simulator Training

Unleash Your Potential with the CNC Machining Course!

Ready to dive into the world of CNC machining and manufacturing? Our entry-level CNC Machining Course is your passport to a future filled with endless possibilities!

In-Depth Knowledge: Our program equips you with the expertise to shine in CNC machining and manufacturing. Master the Fundamentals: Delve into the core principles of CNC technology.

Hands-On Practice: We’re thrilled to introduce our FANUC CNC Simulators. These bring the world of CNC right into the classroom, allowing you to get up close and personal with FANUC CNC controls without needing a full machine. You’ll become intimately familiar with navigating the FANUC control, setup work and tool offsets, macros and basic G and M code programming. This real-world experience will set you up for success in modern manufacturing industries.

Endless Career Opportunities: Our CNC Machining Course is your ticket to thriving in various manufacturing sectors, including: Aerospace, Automotive, Medical Device, Manufacturing And so much more!

Your Path to Success: Upon completing this course, you’ll be well-prepared to embark on a fulfilling career in CNC machining, programming, or related fields. You’ll play a crucial role in the ever-evolving world of precision manufacturing. Don’t wait! Shape your future, unlock your potential, and seize the opportunities that await you.

Spring 2024 Course Information

Genesee Community College, Batavia Campus
Course Contact Hours: 32
For course fee and funding availability, email Christa Palmer at capalmer@ngskmc-eis.net or call 585-345-6868.

Choose one session:

Saturdays and Sundays, January 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2024
8:00 am-4:00 pm
Saturdays and Sundays, February 10, 11, 17 and 18, 2024
8:00 am-4:00 pm

Instructor: Timothy Gleba
Tim brings over 11 years of manufacturing and teaching experience to the instructor position. Tim is a Manufacturing Engineering for a global leader of industrial metallurgical processing systems. Tim’s experiences and education includes CNC Machining (FANUC / Haas), Industrial and Collaborative Robotics (FANUC / Universal Robotics), Industrial Automation and Process Controls (Rockwell Automation), Industrial Engineering Technology, Lean Six Sigma and NFPA70e to name a few. In Tim’s spare time he enjoys traveling with his wife Amanda and their three dogs Gus, Pappy and Remi to the Adirondack high peaks region or heading out west visiting Las Vegas. Additionally, Tim is a passionate conservationist and sportsman. He is a member of Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and NYS Forest Owners Association.

Basic Air Conditioning & Refrigeration I

Ready to Master Basic Refrigeration? Are you eager to gain hands-on experience in Basic Refrigeration before stepping onto a job site? Or perhaps you’re already working in the field of Refrigeration but could use a refresher to stay at the top of your game? We have the perfect course for you!

Acquire comprehensive knowledge in residential split systems, encompassing both furnace and heat pump technologies. Enhance your understanding through hands-on instruction using state-of-the-art Refrigeration Trainers as practical learning equipment.

Unleash the Power of Our iConnect Basic Refrigeration Trainer: Our brand-new iConnect Basic Refrigeration Trainer is a game-changer! Visualize the refrigeration process with sight glass tubes at the evaporator and condenser inlet and outlet, explore color-coded valves and gauges, manipulate hand valves to bypass various components and transition from cooling to heating, observe refrigerant and oil conditions under different operating methods, watch refrigerant flow to the evaporator, regulated by capillary tubes, automatic expansion valves (AXV), or thermostatic expansion valves (TXV).

Spring 2024 Course Information

Genesee Community College, Batavia Campus
Monday and Wednesdays, March 4-20, 2024
5:30 pm-8:30 pm
Course Contact Hours: 18
For course fee and funding availability, email Christa Palmer at capalmer@ngskmc-eis.net or call 585-345-6868.

Instructor: Bill Hayes

Bill Hayes, an industry veteran with 40 years of experience in the HVACR Skilled Trades, has joined GCC’s BEST Center as the instructor for the upcoming HVACR program, Basic Air Conditioning & Refrigeration. Holding a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology with a specialization in Air Conditioning design and management, Bill’s career began with eight years at a mechanical contractor in Buffalo, NY, before acquiring a Batavia, NY-based HVACR operation in 1991. In 1997, he expanded his expertise by establishing a HVACR supply house with Sheet Metal fabrication. Bill’s hands-on approach in the early years included fieldwork in HVACR service and installation. Upon retirement from Mechanical Contracting, his company grew to employ 30 individuals with a fleet of 20 vehicles. Bill brings a wealth of knowledge backed by numerous trade certificates and active involvement in professional societies and service organizations. For the past decade, Bill contributed to HVACR education in New York State, providing instruction through Alfred State College’s partnership with the NYS CSEA organization. Holding a certification as an EPA-608 Proctor through the ESCO Institute, Bill’s commitment to education aligns with the BEST Center’s mission to offer comprehensive services and certifications.

EPA 608 Certification

Skip To Course

Mechatronics

Mechatronics, Phase 1: Industrial Electronics

Course Timeline

Mechatronics, Phase 2: Industrial Controls and PLCs

Course Timeline

Mechatronics, Phase 3: Advanced Industrial Controls

Course Timeline

Advanced AC Motors & VFD Course

Course Timeline

Motor Controls, Transformers & Power Systems

Introduction to Electric

CNC Machining: FANUC Simulator Training

Spring 2024 Course Information

Basic Air Conditioning & Refrigeration I

Spring 2024 Course Information

Main Campus