Hydraulics

Hydraulics is a key technology that is found in numerous areas of engineering. Hydraulic systems provide the power needed to control aircraft, operate heavy dump trucks and excavators, operate the brakes in our cars and even power lifts in our tall buildings.

To help teachers and students understand the practical applications and theories behind hydraulics we have created a complete instructional module that provides both real hands-on hardware in the form of our ST280 Hydraulics Trainer and a unique software simulation of hydraulic systems. This enables a whole class to carry out activities in the same topic areas at the same time.

The simulator allows the student to construct, operate and evaluate hydraulic circuits. The simulated dump truck system allows students to design, construct and operate the hydraulic system of a dump truck tipper.

A variety of hydraulic components as found on the actual hardware trainer are provided in the simulator. These components are:

• Pressure Regulator
• In-line Pressure Gauge 
• Flow Meter 
• Flow Control Valve 
• Check Valves 
• T-Piece 
• Double-acting Cylinder 
• Hydraulic Motor 
• Force Meter

Topic areas include: 

• Principles of Hydraulics 
• Components, Symbols and Circuits 
• Basic Hydraulic Laws 
• Actuators 
• Levers and Movement
• Valves and Flow Control 
• Creating Pressure with Pumps 
• Speed Control of Cylinders 
• Cylinder Design 
• Problem Solving – Dump Truck Tipper