This is an introduction to hydraulics, assuming no previous knowledge, with exercises and interactive animated graphics.
Course requirements are any I.B.M. or IBM-compatible personal computer, a 3.5 inch HD disk drive, and an EGA or VGA or SVGA monitor. The course runs in EGA.
Any screen in the course may be printed out at any time as a graphic print-out. The print-out driver is suitable for Epson 9 pin, 24 pin, IBM Proprinter, Canon Bubble-Jet and Hewlett-Packard (PCL3) laser printers.
Covers Pascal's Law on pressures and explains the effect of atmospheric pressures, movement of fluids in closed circuits and introduces Force, Pressure and Area.
This is what the course is all about. Transferring energy with fluids and converting it to mechanical energy. Colour coding for pressures and a first look at a Hydraulic circuit with animation.
Showing the interaction of Force, Pressure and Area with examples in metric or inch/pound units. This is followed by exercises with monitoring and print-outs.
Covers the ISO standards for all the symbols used in the course. A selection is then shown as an animated circuit.
The units are now built into various example circuits and then students are invited to start building their own circuits, which develops the student's hydraulic knowledge.
Showing colour-coded examples of typical pumps, valves and actuators together with cut-away animations.
Back to the hard work again with more complex exercises. An unlimited number of exercises in either metric or inch/pound units from three group types is presented, checked and recorded as a print-out for the instructor. Marks and percentages are given.
A little more relaxing here with graphic portrayals of the industrial use of hydraulics used in machinery. Once again animated and with a complete sequence of operations. Here is a picture from this section ...
- Click here to expand.
We have another twelve circuit exercises, simple to start then on to more complex circuits. Each exercise is on a separate page so the student may revise on any particular exercise.
The importance of safety to students and equipment is covered in this section. A print-out of the notes may be retained.
The following features are available in most sections:-
The courses are made up of ten sections any one of which is available from a Drop Down menu. This is accessible at any time so you can interrupt any section to look at the menu and if necessary you may cancel the menu and carry on with the section. You may move forward or back from the menu although initially we recommend you to start at the beginning and work your way through as the sections are progressive.
We have included a feature which we call 'Logical Paging' as it allows the student to jump forward or back through the sections themselves a 'logical page' at a time.
As the courses are in EGA mode and use is made of colour shades, we have added a very small on-screen contrast check.
The exercises are based on randomly-generated numbers. We have also added a Progress Monitoring system. This provides for a continuous print-out of the exercise results and section totals together with a percentage mark at the end of the section. The student's answers are printed together with the computed answer so the lecturer can assess readily how any student is coping with the course.
The courses is well-supported by Animated Graphics and is in EGA mode.
No specific entry level is required other than a basic general engineering background. The course is aimed at newcomers to the trade and experienced tradesmen wishing to gain knowledge of hydraulics, a rapidly expanding technology.