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 conservation of energy equations 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 motor 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