Designing a Reciprocation Circuit
By Terry Bartelt
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.
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.
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.
Digital Thermometers
Learners examine the electronic components of a digital thermometer.
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.
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.
Displacement Level Sensors
In this animated object, learners study how displacement level sensors are used to measure the level of liquid in a tank.
Dynamic Braking Circuits
In this animated activity, learners examine the operation of a dynamic braking circuit used to quickly stop a motor.
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.
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.
Elements of a Closed-Loop System
By Terry Bartelt, Terry Fleischman
Learners study an animated block diagram that describes the function of each element in a closed-loop system used in industrial automation.
Elements of Machine Vision
By Craig Hemken
Learners examine the basic elements of a machine vision system. A short quiz completes the activity.
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.
Equivalent Gates/Ladder Logic Circuits
Learners will identify ladder logic diagrams and the logic functions they perform.
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.
Feedback System Application
In this animated and interactive object, learners examine a heat exchanger as an example of an automated closed-loop system.
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.
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.
Four-Wire Sensors
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.
Functions of Hydraulic Oil
Learners observe the four functions of oil in a hydraulic system.
Gear Nomenclature (Screencast)
By James Bourassa
In this interactive object, learners view various components of gears and read descriptions of them. Learners then identify the location of each of these components in a drag-and-drop exercise.
Gear Ratio Concepts (Screencast)
In this screencast, learners examine the concept of gear ratios. The number of teeth, diameters, and velocity relationships are discussed and calculated using linear ratio equations.
Hall-Effect Sensor Application
Learners view practical examples of how a Hall-effect sensor is used.
Hall-Effect Sensors
In this animated object, learners examine how a Hall-effect sensor operates. A short quiz completes the activity.
High-Low Speed Drive Adjustments
Learners examine the circuitry in a DC variable speed drive that prevents the motor from running at 0 rpm or at maximum speed under certain conditions.