An introduction to the latest Institute course provides an overview of the practical framework for evaluating, designing, and sustaining robotic and automation systems in foundry operations, with an emphasis on real-world decision-making, common failure modes, and foundry-specific trade-offs.
Course Syllabus
Instructor:
Brandon Vaillancourt, Controls/Sales Engineer, ATD Engineering & Machine
Brandon Vaillancourt studied Electrical Engineering at Kettering University (formerly GMI). Throughout his career, he has focused on industrial automation, controls engineering, and continuous improvement across multiple manufacturing sectors. Vaillancourt joined the foundry industry with ATD Engineering & Machine, a premier designer and builder of custom equipment for metalcasting operations. He currently serves as Controls and Automation Manager, where he leads the development and implementation of automated casting finishing and cleaning systems for both ferrous and non-ferrous applications. His work includes robotic integration, process optimization, and system architecture for high-mix foundry environments.