Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Electronics technicians may be called upon to work on robots, production lines, and other electromechanical equipment that combines electronics and mechanical actuators.  Mechanical actuators can be motor based or fluid based.

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:        

• Apply knowledge of linear motion, circular motion, forces, and energy to mechanical assemblies.
• Utilize basic calculations of force, pressure, and temperature in common mechanical assemblies.
• Use the energy equation to solve basic mechanical and fluid power problems.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how fluid power devices fit into applications such as robotics, instrumentation, automated production environments, and industrial control.
• Perform calculations to select and size piping and motors actuators in common applications.
• Design simple fluid power circuits for given applications.

Assessment methods are to be determined by the instructor. Typically, in-class quizzes, online quizzes,exams and weekly homework assignments will be used. 

• Review of mechanics and physics  concepts to support understanding the forces involved in typical applications and equipment
• Introduction to fluid mechanics
• Common applications for fluid mechanics
• Fluid power system components (actuators, compressors, pumps, lines, tanks, valves, regulators, sensors, motors, mounts)
• Design of fluid power systems
• Electronic interfacing to fluid power systems