CAM P-TECH in Springville has expanded its learning opportunities for students in its Electrical Construction & Maintenance Electrician pathway by installing an Amatrol Skill Boss Logistics Conveyor Training Station.
The bench-sized automated system, officially known as the Amatrol Skill Boss Logistics 95-MSB3, mirrors the technology used in large-scale distribution centers operated by Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. Purchased with federal grant funding secured last year, the equipment was installed in November.
Packages move along a series of conveyor belts, where they are scanned, queued, and then sorted into one of three destinations using different industrial methods — including a sliding arm, a push ram, and a pick-and-place suction system. If a package is not read correctly, the system automatically diverts it to a rework station, allowing students to diagnose and correct the issue before it reenters the process.
According to CAM P-TECH electrical trades instructor Jason Fitzner, the system allows students to see how multiple electrical and mechanical components work together in a single automated operation.
“You’re learning three different ways the same task can be done,” Fitzner said, noting that the variety of sorting methods exposes students to multiple industry-standard solutions.
What truly sets the Skill Boss Logistics system apart is its built-in troubleshooting capability. The training station includes roughly 50 different programmable faults that instructors can introduce, ranging from simple disabled switches to more complex sensor, pneumatic, and control system failures.
Students must use voltage readings, diagnostics, and observation to determine what’s wrong, then input their conclusion into the system. If they are correct, the fault clears, and they advance to the next challenge.
The progression reflects how technicians learn on the job. Fitzner said students begin with basic maintenance tasks, such as replacing conveyor belts, then move on to diagnosing sensors and distinguishing between mechanical issues, such as dirt or debris, and actual component failure.
From there, instruction expands into pneumatic systems — teaching how pistons, rods, and solenoids work together — before culminating in programmable logic controls (PLCs), where students learn that the entire system is software-driven and how to program it themselves.
“This is exactly what students will see in the field,” Fitzner explained. “We start with individual components, then put everything together so they understand not just how it works, but how to fix it when it doesn’t.”
In addition to hands-on training, the Skill Boss Logistics system is aligned with nationally recognized credentials. According to the company, it serves as the required assessment device for three Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Certified Technician – Supply Chain Automation certifications: Equipment Maintenance, Equipment Repair, and Network Repair.
Students who earn all three certifications receive an “Automation Master” recognition, giving them a significant advantage as they enter the workforce.
The installation of new equipment at CAM P-TECH was made possible through funding secured with the support of Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES’ Grant Services team. The funding was provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program.
This investment supports the installation of video and classroom technology at six sites across Chautauqua County and southern Erie County, enhancing distance learning and workforce training opportunities. The upgrades will strengthen course offerings at four Career & Technical Education sites and two P-TECH locations, while also encouraging greater collaboration among educators, shared professional development, and increased community involvement.
For more information on the P-TECH program, click here.
