Version | 1.0 |
Unit Name | INDUSTRIAL HYDRAULICS AND PNEUMATICS |
Unit Code | MME503A |
Unit Duration | 1 Term (online) or 1 Semester (on-campus) |
Award |
Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Mechanical) Master of Engineering (Mechanical) |
Year Level | One |
|
Dr Milind Siddhpura |
Stream/ Common /Elective: | Stream |
Pre/Co-requisites | None |
Credit Points |
3 Grad Dip total course credit points = 24 Masters total course credit points = 48 |
Mode of Delivery | Online or on-campus. |
Unit Workload |
10 hours per week: Lecture - 1 hour Tutorial Lecture - 1 hours Practical / Lab - 1 hour (where applicable) Personal Study recommended - 7 hours (guided and unguided) |
Unit Description and General Aims
A comprehensive knowledge of hydraulics and/or pneumatics (H/P) is vital for design of efficient hydraulic and pneumatic systems (including individual machines), maintenance and troubleshooting. The student will gain a working knowledge of how to apply H/P to achieve desired outcomes. This unit will focus on a range of varied circuit configurations including components controlling both fluid pressure and flow. Furthermore, a good working knowledge of other items that makes up a circuit, such as, actuators: both linear (cylinders) and rotary (motors). The student will be able to apply electro-hydraulic technology, both proportional and servo-motor types.
The student will learn to apply knowledge gained of hydrostatics and fluid flow theory to calculate circuit requirements such as load capacity, pipe sizes, heat generation and input power. This topic will also deal with correct system installation, how to achieve reliability in operation and troubleshooting of complete systems.
Topics on the social, economic, and environmental issues arising from the implementation of H/P systems, especially when coupled with robotics and mechatronics will be evaluated. A well-proven PC based program will enable the student to design and test their own circuit designs.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this Unit, students are expected to be able to:
- Determine the economics, and other factors for an application, to utilise an industrial H/P system in preference to other systems and to delineate which system is best.
- Bloom’s Level 5
- Evaluate in detail what discrete components make up an H/P system.
- Bloom’s Level 5
- Judge, critique information on optimal design, operation, troubleshooting and maintenance of H/P systems.
- Bloom’s Level 5
- Formulate on the social, commercial, and regulatory impacts of installing or modifying H/P systems.
- Bloom’s Level 6
- Evaluate existing or propose new applications for industrial H/P systems.
- Bloom’s Level 5
- Reassemble design information of a system to satisfy end-user requirements
- Bloom’s Level 6
Student Assessment
Assessment Type |
When assessed (e.g. Week 5) |
Weighting (% of total unit marks) |
Learning Outcomes Assessed |
Assessment 1 Type: Weekly Quizzes Description: Students will need to complete multiple-choice quiz questions to demonstrate a good understanding of the fundamental concepts. Topics covered: 2-11 |
Weekly |
10% |
All |
Assessment 2 Type: Test (Invigilated) Description: Students will need to answer some short and/or long answer questions and/or solve some numerical problems. Topics covered: 1-5 |
During Topic/Week 6 |
25% |
1, 2, 3 |
Assessment 3 Type: Practical (Report) & Demonstration Description: Hydraulics and pneumatics simulations using software in Remote labs. Topics covered: 1-8 |
After Topic 8 |
25% |
6 |
Assessment 4 Type: Research (Report) & Presentation Word length: 3000, excluding diagrams and references. Description: To design a complete system including awareness of new applications for H/P systems, ways of mechanically transferring forces from actuators, and taking everything into account the student has learned to date. The student will be given project criteria that must be met. The student must show calculations, both engineering and economic. The student will verify the circuit design with simulation software. Topics covered: All |
Final Week |
35% |
3,4,5,6 |
Attendance / Tutorial Participation Description: Presentation, discussion, group work, exercises, self-assessment/reflection, case study analysis, application. |
Continuous |
5% |
1-6 |
Prescribed and Recommended readings
Required textbook(s)
- Practical Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems: Operations and Troubleshooting, IDC Technologies, Perth.
- J. Watton, Fundamentals of Fluid Power Control, 1st ed, Cambridge University Press, 2009 (Paperback 2014)
Reference Materials
- Parr, A, 2013, Hydraulics and Pneumatics: A Technician’s and Engineer’s Guide, revised edn, Butterworth-Heinemann, ISBN-13: 978-0080966748. Online version available at: http://app.knovel.com/web/toc.v/cid:kpHPATEG01/viewerType:toc/root_slug:hydraulics-pneumatics-2
- Fluid Power Circuits and Controls – Fundamentals and Applications by John S. Cundiff, 2001.
- Other texts, peer-reviewed journals, and websites. To be advised during lectures.
Unit Content
One topic is delivered per contact week, except for part-time 24-week units, where one topic is delivered every two weeks.
Topic 1
Introduction to Fluid Power
- Introduction to Hydraulics and Pneumatics
- History of Hydraulics and Pneumatics
- Global importance, economics, and future
- Fluid power fundamentals
Topic 2
Revision/Introduction: Hydraulic equipment components
- Hydraulic equipment components with respect to functionality: Hydraulic power pack; Actuators (linear and rotary); Valves (direction, pressure, flow, check and other valves); Accessories (reservoirs, accumulators, filters, heat exchangers, pipe, hoses, and fluid lines)
- Hydraulic circuits and applications
Topic 3
Revision/Introduction: Hydraulic fluids, losses, and efficiency.
- Hydraulic safety
- Hydraulic fluids and viscosity.
- Energy losses in the hydraulic systems
- Reducing losses and improving efficiency
Topic 4
Hydraulic control and automation: Control Devices and Systems
- Types of control: Closed loop & Open loop
- Regenerative hydraulic circuit
- Sequencing hydraulic circuit
- Automated reciprocating cylinder
- Locked cylinder
- Cylinder synchronising circuits
- Speed control of cylinders: Meter-in, Meter-out and Bleed-off circuits
- Accumulators in hydraulic circuits
- Load sensing
Topic 5
Hydraulic control and automation: Electrical, Electronic, and PLC Control
- Solenoid operated DCV: Solenoid plus pilot controlled DCV
- Servo valves: Flapper, Jet, Characteristic, Control
- Proportional valves: Force controlled; Stroke controlled
- Introduction to the programmable logic controller (PLC)
Topic 6
Revision/introduction: Pneumatic system components.
- Characteristics of pneumatic systems and standards
- Prime movers and air compressors
- Air receivers and storage
- Air generation, preparation, and distribution
- Pneumatic components: valves, actuators
- Pneumatic symbols
Topic 7
Revision/Introduction: Pneumatic systems efficiency
- Compressed air systems
- Introduction to pneumatic efficiency
- Systems approach
- Compressors control methods
- Comparison of compressors
- Assessment of compressors and systems
- Energy efficiency opportunities
Topic 8
Pneumatic control and automation systems
- Introduction to pneumatic control systems
- Basic pneumatic circuits: Actuator control circuits
- Basic pneumatic circuits: Flow amplification, Signal inversion
- Basic pneumatic circuits: Memory function, Delay function
- Basic pneumatic circuits: ON-signal delay; OFF-signal delay
- Basic pneumatic circuits: Logic circuits (OR, AND, NOT)
- Sequence plan
- Electro-pneumatic Devices and Systems
Topic 9
Maintenance and Troubleshooting of Fluid power systems
- General Maintenance
- Industrial hydraulic system maintenance and troubleshooting
- Industrial compressed air system maintenance and troubleshooting
Topic 10
Detailed analysis of hydraulic systems
- Select a ‘real’ machine, stationary or mobile, and analyse the use of components & their functionality in the application. Suggest improvements, etc.
Topic 11
Detailed analysis of pneumatic systems
- Select a ‘real’ machine, stationary or mobile, and analyse the use of components & their functionality in the application. Suggest improvements, etc.
Topic 12
Unit Review
- Recent trends and future scopes
- Unit review
Engineers Australia
The Australian Engineering Stage 1 Competency Standards for the Professional Engineer, approved as of 2013. This table is referenced in the mapping of graduate attributes to learning outcomes and via the learning outcomes to student assessment.
Stage 1 Competencies and Elements Competency | |
1. | Knowledge and Skill Base |
1.1 | Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. |
1.2 | Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline. |
1.3 | In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. |
1.4 | Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline. |
1.5 | Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline. |
1.6 | Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline. |
2. | Engineering Application Ability |
2.1 | Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. |
2.2 | Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources. |
2.3 | Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. |
2.4 | Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects. |
3. | Professional and Personal Attributes |
3.1 | Ethical conduct and professional accountability. |
3.2 | Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. |
3.3 | Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanor. |
3.4 | Professional use and management of information. |
3.5 | Orderly management of self and professional conduct. |
3.6 | Effective team membership and team leadership. |
Software/Hardware Used
Software
- Software: Automation Studio
- Version: 7.0
- Instructions: N/A
- Additional resources or files: https://www.famictech.com/en/Products/Automation-Studio/Educational-Edition
Hardware
- Hydraulics and Pneumatics Test rigs (available as a H5P interactive video module as well)
Unit Changes Based on Student Feedback:
The due dates of unit assessments were spaced out, which alleviated student stress and provided sufficient time to work on assessments of various units in each semester.