Instructor:                   Dr. Aaron K. Ball

Contact Info:              Office Hours are posted on my office door and web page.
                                    Please call or e-mail if this a time will not work with you. I can be contacted at the following
                                    (Note:  email is preferred).
 Office:                       828-227-2150
 E-mail:                       ballaaron@wcu.edu

Office Location:         332 Belk Building

Course Description:   The study of power transmission focused on hydrostatic fluid power components and systems specifically related industrial and manufacturing applications.
                                     The course will focus on common methods of power transmission.

Course Goals:             The purpose of this course is provide students a working knowledge of  fluid systems by carrying out the following objectives:

                                       1. Evaluating the properties of fluids related to static and flow characteristics;

                                       2. Providing a knowledge base of fluid power components and systems related to industrial applications;

                                       3. Providing first hand experience in basic circuit design, control, and trouble-shooting techniques;

                                       4. Conducting analysis of selected industrial circuits.

Prerequisites:               PREQ: 231 and PHYS 130 and MATH 153 or permission of instructor.

Required Text:             Fluid Power With Applications by Anthony Esposito.

Supplemental Software:   Automation Studio, MicroSoft Excel

Required Materials:    Engineer's Pad or equivalent (required for homework)
                                      FLUID POWER OR CIRCLE TEMPLATE.Required Materials:
                                      Engineer's Pad, USB flash memory
                                      Three ring binder, plastic sheet covers.

Instructional Approach :   Two lecture periods  per week (on campus), one lab per week, reading, and software related
                                           assignments.  Open class discussion is an important element of this class. Students are
                                           responsible for the content of all reading assignments whether or not the material is
                                           covered in class.  Additionally all students will be required to utilize the assigned
                                           software for laboratory work and project administration.

Evaluation:                       Each student will be evaluated based on four areas of performance. These categories and percentage
                                          of the total grade are shown below:

                          Category                                       Percent                     Notes
              Tests                                                            30%            Three Tests @ 10% each
              Labs and weekly assignments                        40%           Includes Homework
              Semester Project                                           20%           Team (No more than 2 people)
              Merit                                                            10%            Attendance, safety, clean-up, quality of work

Grading Scale:
                      93-100              A
                       89-92               A-
                       86-88               B+
                       83-85               B
                       79-82               B-
                       76-78               C+
                       73-75               C
                       69-72               C-
                       66-68               D+
                       63-65               D
                       60-62               D-
                         0-59               F

Attendance:  You have the responsibility to be here for class.  You have 3 “leave days” for the semester.  If you miss more
                       than 3 days, your course grade may be reduced by a letter grade.  You are responsible for any work missed and
                       will be held accountable for submitting work on schedule to avoid a late penalty.

Assignments:  There will be 12 assigned labs with required written reports, 3 exams, 1 semester project.  Additional homework and
                         laboratory work will be required.   Late work will be penalized by 50% reduction in earned grade.  All work is due as assigned.
                         All students are REQUIRED to maintain a workbook for the class including: notes, labs, tests, semester project, and reference materials.
                         Workbooks will be collected for grading purposes and used for departmental accreditation.  Workbooks must be a quality three-ring
                         binder with tabbed dividers neatly maintained.

Project:           A semester project is required for the course.  The project will be a continuous development of a  fluid power systems Excel spreadsheet.
                        Requirements are posted on the website.  Team projects will be considered (no more that 2 per group).

Honor Code:   Students are expected to comply with the spirit and intent of the University Academic Honesty Policy as stated in the
                         Undergraduate cataloge.  Visit WCU’s  Undergraduate Student Handbook for all related policies and procedures.
                         http://www.wcu.edu/studentd/StudentHandbook

Disabilities:    Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Western Carolina University is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for students with documented
                        disabilities and/or medical conditions.  Students who require reasonable accommodations must identify themselves as having a disability and/or medical condition and
                        provide current diagnostic documentation to Disability Services.  All information is confidential.  Please contact the Office of Disability Services for more information at
                        (828) 227-3886 or lalexis@wcu.edu  You may also visit the office’s website:  disability.wcu.edu 

Schedule:       The course schedule is posted on the website, and major course topics are shown below.  

 

                           COURSE TOPICS

FUNDAMENTALS OF FLUID POWER

BASIC COMPONENTS OF FLUID SYSTEMS

FLUID PROPERTIES

ENERGY AND POWER IN FLUID SYSTEMS

FLUID POWER CONDUCTORS

BASIC FLOW IN PIPES

PUMPS

ACTUATORS

CONTROL VALVES

PNEUMATICS

CIRCUITS

CONTROL OF INDUSTRIAL CIRCUITS

Note:  More details of assignments, lecture notes outline, labs, semester project, and other course resources are posted on the course website:

ONLINE COURSE EVALUATION DATES:  Coure evaluation opens for the semester on November 11 and closes on December 8.

                                                                                               ET 441 SAFETY RULES  

                                                                          Western Carolina University
                                                                                    Kimmel School
                                                                  Department of Engineering & Technology

1. EYE PROTECTION IS REQUIRED WHEN YOU WORK ON POWER TRAINERS THE LAB.  WEAR YOUR SAFETY GLASSES!
    You are required to obtain your own safety glasses.  A limited number is available in the shop.
2. All injuries must be reported to the supervising instructor immediately.
3. NO BARE FEET OR OPEN-TOED SANDALS ALLOWED IN THE SHOP. Long hair must be tied back, long sleeves must be cuffed
    or rolled up, and jewelry removed when working on machinery.
4. NO FOOD OR DRINK ALLOWED IN THE LAB AREA.
5. DO NOT WORK ALONE. Use the “buddy” or “two-man” system in order to have someone present in the shop to summon help in case
    of an accident. IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT OR EMERGENCY, CALL 911 !
6. ENSURE THE SAFETY OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS by being aware of your surroundings. If you see someone committing an unsafe act,
    report it to the supervisor immediately. As the machine operator you are responsible for the safety of the people in your immediate area.
7. If you discover equipment or machinery that is not operating correctly; notify the shop supervisor immediately. Everyone must comply with this
    rule in order to prevent injuries caused by malfunctioning equipment.
8. CLEAN UP THE WORK AREA.  Part of your grade will be based on good safety and housekeeping.
9. DO NOT USE COMPRESSED AIR to clean your work space.  Wipe down the machine and sweep the floor area.  Place soiled rags in a
    safety container.
10. DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY UNFAMILIAR OPERATIONS. When in doubt, seek advice and help from those more experienced in the operation.
11. PRACTICE SAFETY FIRST!.
12. In order to prevent injury to you and damage to the equipment, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OVERLOAD THE CAPABILITIES OF THE MACHINERY.
 

 

 
Abbreviated Lab Report Format