The Motion Control and Motor Association (MCMA), the largest association in North America dedicated to advancing the global understanding and use of motion control and related automation technologies, recently launched the MCMA Certified Motion Control Professional program.

The certification program is designed to help individuals working with motion control, motors, and automation technologies obtain the core knowledge required to work in today’s competitive job market.

People can earn basic level certification by taking a series of training courses and passing a written exam. The exam will be administered for the first time during the Automate show and conference, April 3-6, 2017 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

The Certified Motion Control Professional basic level training is taught by expert instructors from the industry. The courses cover fundamental topics including machine design, the physics of motion, mechanical motion control components and subsystems, inertia and reflected inertia, magnetism and motor basics, positioner selection and motor sizing, digital servo amplifiers, motion controllers, programming, and system design basics.

“The motion control industry suppliers provide training to their customer base and they asked MCMA to develop and deliver the fundamental training, so they could focus their training efforts on the specific components and systems they produce,” said Dana Whalls, vice president of MCMA.

“We’re proud to bring our Motion Control Professional Certification program to the industry,” said John Payne, vice president of Yaskawa America’s Motion Division and past MCMA Board Chairperson. MCMA spent two years developing the curriculum and certification program. “The industry needed a high-quality basic motion control training program and we think that end-users and industry professionals alike will benefit from it.”

Certified professionals receive a personalized certificate and are listed on Motion Control Online. Basic level certification is valid for five (5) years.

“The technological advances and growing demand for motion control technologies has broadened the range of the skills needed to be successful,” added Whalls. “Today’s job market calls for greater specialization and the motion control field is no exception. Adding certification to your portfolio showcases your technical proficiency and gives you and the company you work for a competitive marketplace advantage.”

MCMA will develop an Advanced level training and certification in the future. Their goal is to provide the training in person and online to broaden the global availability of the program.