Four-Wire Sensors
By Terry Bartelt
In this animated object, learners examine the signals produced at the N.O. (normally open) and N.C. (normally closed) outputs of sourcing and sinking four-wire sensors. A brief quiz completes the activity.
Forward/Reverse Ladder Circuits
In this animated object, learners study the operation of a ladder circuit that controls the rotational direction of a DC motor.
Flow Control Valves
In this colorful and animated activity, learners study the operation of a needle valve and the operation of the needle valve with a check valve. A brief quiz completes the activity.
Feedback System Application
In this animated and interactive object, learners examine a heat exchanger as an example of an automated closed-loop system.
Excess Gain of Optical Sensors
In this animated activity, learners examine how to change the gain of an optical sensor to overcome environmental conditions and distance.
Equivalent Gates/Ladder Logic Circuits
By Terry Bartelt, Terry Fleischman
Learners will identify ladder logic diagrams and the logic functions they perform.
Endothermic vs. Exothermic Reactions
In this animated object, learners examine how the heating or cooling steps in a manufacturing process work to control a chemical reaction.
Elements of Machine Vision
By Craig Hemken
Learners examine the basic elements of a machine vision system. A short quiz completes the activity.
Elements of a Closed-Loop System
Learners study an animated block diagram that describes the function of each element in a closed-loop system used in industrial automation.
Electrical Units, Abbreviations, and Symbols
By Patrick Hoppe
In this learning activity you'll read introduction to electrical quantities, units, and symbols and test their knowledge in a matching exercise.
Electrical Generator Basics
In this animated activity, learners examine how a voltage is induced into a conductor when the conductor cuts across magnetic flux lines. They also view the four factors that determine how much voltage is generated. A brief quiz completes the learning object.
Dynamic Braking Circuits
In this animated activity, learners examine the operation of a dynamic braking circuit used to quickly stop a motor.
Displacement Level Sensors
In this animated object, learners study how displacement level sensors are used to measure the level of liquid in a tank.
Displacement and Velocity Ratios
By James Bourassa, John Rosz
In this animated object, learners examine formulas for displacement and velocity ratios. They also view examples and calculate velocity and the velocity ratio.
Direct-Operated, Pressure-Reducing Valves
By Terry Bartelt, Doyle Davis
In this animated activity, learners examine how an adjustable pressure-reducing valve can produce a pressure that is lower at its output than at its input.
Digital Thermometers
Learners examine the electronic components of a digital thermometer.
Digital Position Control
In this animated object, learners examine a closed-loop feedback system that uses digital circuits to control the position of a gear rack.
Determining Hydraulic Cylinder Size
Students read how to calculate the size of a hydraulic cylinder that is required for a particular application. Mathematical formulas are provided.
Designing a Reciprocation Circuit
This animated lesson an exercise that enables students to design a ladder logic circuit using a drag-drop function to cause the cylinder of a hydraulic circuit to extend and retract.
Designing a Cylinder Dwell Circuit
This animated lesson shows how a ladder circuit uses timer-on delays to cause an extrusion machine to operate.
Derivative Control Mode Analogy (Screencast)
In this animated object, learners view a race of two boats as an example of how the derivative function of a PID controller shortens the time duration of an operation.
DC Compound Motors
Learners study animation showing the operation of cumulative and differential DC compound motors. A short quiz completes the activity.
Data Compare Instructions
In this animated object, learners examine three data compare instructions used by programmable logic controllers (PLCs). A practical application to show how these instructions are used in an industrial setting is provided.
Crank Slider Velocity
By James Bourassa
In this animated object, learners identify the basic parts and operation of a crank slider mechanism. They also follow the steps to use rotational input velocity to determine the linear output velocity of a slider component.
Crank Rocker Velocity
In this animated and interactive object, learners use rotational input velocity to determine the linear output velocity of a rocker or lever. Learners test their knowledge in an exercise at the end of the activity.