Manufacturing Automation Course | IIT Kanpur | Prof. Sounak Kumar Choudhury
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 432 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 4 weeks |
| Categories | Mechanical Engineering |
| Credit Points | 1 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Feb 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 29 Mar 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock the Future of Production: A Deep Dive into Manufacturing Automation
The manufacturing landscape is undergoing a radical transformation, driven by automation. For students and professionals in mechanical, production, and aerospace engineering, understanding this shift is no longer optional—it's essential. This is where a structured, expert-led course becomes invaluable. We are pleased to detail a comprehensive 4-week undergraduate course on Manufacturing Automation, instructed by the esteemed Prof. Sounak Kumar Choudhury from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.
Meet Your Instructor: Expertise from IIT Kanpur
Learning from an experienced academic provides depth and context that textbooks alone cannot offer. Prof. Sounak Kumar Choudhury brings decades of dedicated teaching and research to this course.
- Academic Credentials: Completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Moscow, Russia, in 1985, followed by post-doctoral research.
- Professional Tenure: Has been a faculty member in the Mechanical Engineering Department at IIT Kanpur since 1986.
- Areas of Specialization: His expertise spans conventional/non-conventional machining, automatic control, hydraulic control, machine tools, and, crucially, manufacturing automation.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is meticulously designed for undergraduate students and early-career professionals seeking to build a strong foundation in automation principles.
- Intended Audience: Students of Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgy, Aerospace Engineering, and Production Engineering.
- Prerequisites: A basic understanding of fundamental engineering concepts is recommended.
- Industry Support: The curriculum is highly relevant for all manufacturing sectors, including machine tool manufacturing, automobile industries, and aeronautical assembly industries.
Course Overview: What You Will Learn in 4 Weeks
Structured over four intensive weeks, the course progresses from core concepts to detailed analysis of automated systems. Here’s a breakdown of the curriculum:
Week 1: Foundations of Automation
The first week establishes the core philosophy and building blocks of automation in manufacturing.
- Definitions, pros, cons, and the strategic benefits of automation.
- Detailed study of automation types: Fixed, Programmable, and Flexible.
- Introduction to Automated Flow Lines: Objectives, workflow selection, and methods of workpart transport (Continuous, Intermittent, Asynchronous).
- Exploration of transfer mechanisms and the role of buffer storage.
Week 2: Performance Analysis & Assembly Introduction
Week two delves into the metrics and economics of automated systems, setting the stage for assembly automation.
- Flow Line Performance Analysis: Calculating average production time, rate, line efficiency, and cost per item.
- Understanding the impact of machine breakdowns and jamming.
- Introduction to Automated Assembly: Reasons for automation, design for assembly principles, and components of assembly machines.
- Discussion on choosing assembly methods based on cost, rate, and product life cycle.
Week 3: Feeding and Transfer Systems
This week focuses on the critical subsystems that feed and transfer components reliably.
- In-depth analysis of transfer systems: In-Line and Rotary Indexing Machines.
- Mechanics and design of Vibratory Bowl Feeders—a cornerstone of part feeding.
- Introduction to Non-Vibratory Feeders: Reciprocating Tube and Centerboard Hopper Feeders, including their operational analysis.
Week 4: Part Orientation and System Reliability
The final week tackles the nuanced challenge of part orientation and overall system reliability.
- Orientation Techniques: In-Bowl and Out-of-Bowl toolings (e.g., Wiper Blades, Pressure Breaks).
- Analysis of part orienting systems and feed tracks.
- Introduction to sensors (“ON-OFF”) and the crucial concept of Reliability in Feeding systems.
- Analysis of other feeder types like External Gate and Rotary Disk Feeders.
Essential Reference Materials
The course curriculum is supported by seminal texts in the field, ensuring a robust theoretical foundation:
| Book Title | Author(s) | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Automation, Production Systems and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing | M.P. Groover | Broad overview of automation systems and CIM |
| Automatic Assembly | G. Boothroyd, C. Poli, L.E. Murch | Detailed principles of automated assembly |
| Assembly Automation and Product Design | G. Boothroyd | Crucial link between product design and automated assembly feasibility |
Why This Course is a Career Catalyst
In a competitive industrial environment, proficiency in manufacturing automation is a significant differentiator. This course, rooted in the academic excellence of IIT Kanpur and the practical expertise of Prof. Choudhury, offers more than just knowledge—it offers a framework for innovation. You will not only learn how automated systems work but also how to analyze their performance, identify bottlenecks, and understand the design principles that make automation successful. Whether you aim to join a leading automobile manufacturer, a cutting-edge aerospace firm, or a machine tool company, the insights from this course will form a critical part of your engineering toolkit.
Embark on this four-week journey to master the principles that are shaping the factories of today and tomorrow.
Enroll Now →