Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems is an optional course in the fourth year of the Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering in the University College of Engineering at Vitoria-Gasteiz with 6 ECTS credits. 3 credits (30 hours) correspond to theoretical and problem classes, 1.5 credits (15 hours) to Laboratory and 1.5 credits (15 hours) to computer simulation.



Pneumatics is a branch of mechanics that deals with the mechanical properties of gases. It works with the study of pressurized gas that produces mechanical motion, and the application of such gases to produce motion. Systems based on pneumatics are found in factories that deal with compressed air and inert gases Pneumatics is a major and growing force in business and industry. Half a century, ago, for example, all power tools in a shop were typically controlled by electricity. Today, many are powered by pressured air. For these and many other applications, pressured air is proving to be a cheaper, safer and more efficient source of power than electricity.



The applications for compressed air are limitless, from the optician gentle use of low pressure air to test fluid pressure in the human eyeball, the multiplicity of linear and rotary motions on robotic process machines, to the high forces required for pneumatic presses and concrete breaking pneumatic drills



The pneumatic technology can not always be used in some applications due to its limitations. One of these pneumatic limitations is the force whose maximum value is around 30000 N. On the other hand, the hydraulic technology can overpass the maximum force values.



The course in Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems provides a background and some basics skills which are related to other grade courses such as:



- Hydraulic machinery

- Hydraulic installations

- Fluid Mechanics



The following specific course skills are developed:



- To identify and know the working of basic elements: compressor, refrigerator, actuators, valves and accessories which take part in the pneumatic and hydraulic installations.



- To be able to use the pneumatic and hydraulic equipments, instruments, machines and fittings based on the scientific methodology



- To solve problems related to the pneumatic and hydraulic installations designing functional circuits.



- To be able to take decisions within a team to cope with practical questions arised in the pneumatic and hydraulic installations

LEARNING OBJETIVES:



The student will be able:



- To interpret, define and solve practical problems related with the nature of different pneumatic and hydraulic installations in order to develop technical projects.



- To identify, interpret and explain the terminology, the structural characteristics, key parts, operation and application fields of differents pneumatic and hydraulic equipments and machines and manage that knowledge to design the suitable pneumatic or hydraulic circuit for every installation, according to technical criteria.



- To prepare, present, defend, orally and in writing, and make reports on the subject working individually or in groups.

In order to get the background knowledge, abilities and skills, the course content is divided into ten blocks of learning units or theoretical chapters:



1. Introduction to positive displacement machines

2. Features and applications of the pneumatic energy

3. Generation of high pressure air

4. Pneumatic actuators, valves and accessories

5. Pneumatic maintenance

6. Features and applications of the hydraulic energy

7. Generation of high pressure oil

8. Hydraulic actuators, valves and accessories

9. Hydraulic maintenance





The students will perform laboratory experiments divided in three blocks:



- 1 cylinder exercises (air)

- 2/3 cylinder exercises (air)

- Hydraulic exercises (oil)



The first part of the laboratory will consist in the identification of basic pneumatic and hydraulic elements, equipments and installations. A second part will be focused on the design and implementation of basic pneumatic circuits in the laboratory panels. The Laboratory experiments will be also simulated in computers by using specific software.



Required materials (background, instructions, student guide, laboratory and simulatino manuals and so on) are posted on the on-line course. Students will be assigned into groups/teams formed by two or three students, to perform the experiments. Laboratory report will be submitted after finish the lab.



Attendance to the laboratory sessions is compulsory.

The course will be divided in:



- Theoretical classes (1.5 credits) and practical classes (1.5 credits) where the fundamentals of the pneumatic and hydraulic technology and the methodology of circuit design will be explained,



- Laboratory sessions (1.5 credits) where pneumatic and hydraulic elements will be used to implement basic circuits, and



- Computer sessions (1.5 credits) where the pneumatic and hydraulic circuits tested in the laboratory will be simulated.



Students will be assigned into groups/teams formed by two or three students, to perform the Laboratory experiments and simulations.

• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Written test to be taken (%): 50
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 30
  • Team projects (problem solving, project design)) (%): 20

Course assessment will be based on the following scheme:



Theoretical exam: 20% Student work (in May)

Problem exam: 30% Student work (in May)

Computer exam: 10% Team work (in May)

Laboratory Report: 20% Team work (in May)

Free report: 20% Student work (in May)



More specifically explained:



20%. Students will take one exam based on the theoretical contents studied all along the course.



30%. Students will take one exercise exam. Students will be asked to design some pneumatic/hydraulic circuits in order to do a mechanical work.



10%. Students will take one computer exam where some pneumatic/hydraulic circuits will be simulated.



20%. Report on the pneumatic and hydraulic problems/exercises solved in the laboratory, carried out in groups/teams. Completion of lab practice and corresponding report is compulsory in order to pass the subject. The quality of team work will also be taken into account.



20%. A report based on an application example of the pneumatic/hydraulic technology.



SOME REMARKS:



- Final exam in June's call: for the student who does not pass the subject by continuous assessment. 100% of the mark.



For students to justify the impossibility of continuous evaluation in the direction of the School:



- Final exam (call for May and June). 100% of the mark.



Article 43 of the Management Regulations for the teaching of undergraduate and first and second cycle, provides the proper reasons for non-participation in the continuous assessment (work reasons, victims of domestic violence, birth, adoption, foster care or daughters and children under three years in charge, care of dependent family member, students with disabilities equal to or greater than 33%, high-level athlete, artistic / cultural activities that involve travel or dedication, compatibility with other higher education, compatibility with political office , union, student representation, associations, NGOs, or other)



Once the student has taken part in a partial continuous assessment tests, it is assumed that you are following the continuous evaluation and get a final score calculated by weighting all tests. ONLY if they are not present at any of the tests, you get a rating of "not presented".



The student may waive the subject by not attending to the Laboratory and simulation sessions or to the exam where the theoretical and studied practical problems are evaluated.



The exercise of the final exam will be the same in all the groups of the subject.



In the event that it will not be possible to carry out a face-to-face evaluation (exam) of the subject, the pertinent changes will be made to carry out an on-line evaluation (exam) using the existing computer tools at the UPV / EHU. The characteristics of this online assessment will be published in the student guide and in eGela



In the event that it will not be possible to carry out a face-to-face evaluation (exam) of the subject, the pertinent changes will be made to carry out an on-line evaluation (exam) using the existing computer tools at the UPV / EHU. The characteristics of this online assessment will be published in the student guide and in eGela

The student failing the course (May) will have the choice to take a final extraordinary exam at the end of the course semester (June). This extraordinary exam will again have the following parts:



Theoretical part: 40% Student work

Problem part: 50% Student work

Computer part 10% Student/team work



As in the ordinary course assessment, the assesment corresponding to the Laboratory Report will again be 20% of the final mark.



The exercise of the final exam will be the same in all the groups of the subject.



In the event that it will not be possible to carry out a face-to-face evaluation (exam) of the subject, the pertinent changes will be made to carry out an on-line evaluation (exam) using the existing computer tools at the UPV / EHU. The characteristics of this online assessment will be published in the student guide and in eGela

- Department resource notes
- Tables and diagrams
- Student guide
- Laboratory manual
- Computer manual
- Solved exams

Most part of the course resources will be posted on the Internet-based e-learning application tool Moodle/E-gela.

Basic bibliography

The course bibliography can be found on the signature 532 in the Biblioteca de las Nieves library.



Parr Andrew. Hydraulics and Pneumatics. Second Edition. Butterworth-Heinemann



W. Deppert / K. Stoll Dispositivos neumáticos



Carnicer Royo Aire comprimido: Neumática convencional



Carnicer Royo / Mainar Hasta Oleohidraúlica. Conceptos básicos.



SMC. International Training Neumática. Segunda Edición. Thomson/Paraninfo.



Editorial Blume Manual de oleohidráulica.



Creus Solé Neumática e Hidráulica. Marcombo. Ediciones Técnicas.



Rifa i Molist Oleohidráulica. A-B-C-D. Bellisco Ediciones.

In-depth bibliography

J. Gerhartz/ D. Schollz Neumática en Bucle Cerrado. Festo Didactic.
A. Zimmermann Posicionamiento Servoneumatico. Festo Didactic.
W.Deppert/K.Stoll Dispositivos neumáticos.
Carnicer Royo Aire comprimido: Neumática convencional.
Ed. Blume Manual de Oleohidráulica

Journals

Aprender Practicando. Festo Didactic.

Web addresses

www.festo.com

www.smc.com

http://www.ascojoucomatic.es/

www.norgrenmartonair.es