Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD)
By Terry Bartelt
Learners study animations to see the connection between temperature and resistance as they examine the operation of an RTD. A table is used to convert resistance readings to the corresponding temperatures. A brief quiz completes the activity.
Ratio Pyrometers
Learners study the theory of operation for a ratio pyrometer that measures temperature. A short quiz completes the activity.
Photoelectric Reciprocation Circuits
This animated lesson shows how a photoelectric sensor, connected to a ladder circuit, causes the cylinder of a hydraulic circuit to extend and retract.
The Hydraulic Cylinder
In this animated and interactive object, learners examine the basic parts and the linear movement of a hydraulic cylinder. A brief quiz completes the activity.
DC Compound Motors
Learners study animation showing the operation of cumulative and differential DC compound motors. A short quiz completes the activity.
Thermocouples (Screencast)
In this animated object, learners observe the operation of a J thermocouple with a cold junction. A table is used to convert the voltage it produces to a corresponding temperature. A brief quiz completes the activity.
Time-Delay Relays
This animated lesson shows the operation of timer-on and timer-off delay relays used in ladder circuit operate.
The Air Pilot
In this animated object, learners examine the operation of a pneumatic directional control valve using air pilot lines.
Orifice Plate Flowmeters
Learners examine the operation of an orifice plate flowmeter as it is used to make process control measurements. A brief quiz completes the activity.
Radiation Pyrometer Temperature Sensors
Learners examine how a radiation pyrometer converts the frequency of electromagnetic waves to a temperature reading.
Linear Displacement Transducer
Learners examine how a linear displacement transducer is used to measure the linear position of a physical object. Animations show the sequential steps of the entire operation.
Stop-Button Wiring to a PLC
Learners consider the correct type of pushbutton to use as a Stop button, the way the Stop button should be hard wired, and the PLC input instruction to use. This animated object includes a short quiz. It is recommended that learners review the learning object “The PLC Examine-Off Instruction” before beginning this object.
Hydraulic Brake Valves
The operation of a hydraulic brake valve, including the internal components, is presented using animations.
Four-Wire Sensors
In this animated object, learners examine the signals produced at the N.O. (normally open) and N.C. (normally closed) outputs of sourcing and sinking four-wire sensors. A brief quiz completes the activity.
Absolute Optical Encoders
The operation and characteristics of an absolute optical encoder used in automation applications are presented.
Hydraulic Oil Contamination
By Terry Bartelt, Stephen Schneider
In this interactive object, learners examine how hydraulic oil is contaminated, the types of damage contamination can cause, and the methods used to clean the oil.
Displacement and Velocity Ratios
By James Bourassa, John Rosz
In this animated object, learners examine formulas for displacement and velocity ratios. They also view examples and calculate velocity and the velocity ratio.
On-Off Control of a Feedback System
Learners examine the operation of the on-off control mode using a home heating example. A short quiz completes the activity.
The PLC Examine-Off Instruction
In this animated object, learners examine the operation and programming requirements of a PLC Examine-Off instruction. A brief quiz completes the activity.
Motor Action (Screencast)
In this screencast, learners examine the interaction between a conductor that represents a motor armature and a magnetic field that represents a motor’s main field. This interaction causes the shaft to turn.
Overflow and Underflow for Signed Binary Numbers
By John Casey, Terry Bartelt, Terry Fleischman
Learners examine the occurrence of overflow and underflow conditions in a programmable logic controller. It is recommended that users view the learning object “Signed Binary Numbers” in advance of this object.
Incremental Encoder Quadrature Modes
Learners study the method of using more than one track and quadrature modes to improve the resolution of an optical encoder. A brief quiz completes the activity.
Internal Circuits of an Inductive Proximity Sensor
In this animated object, learners examine the operation of various circuits that are internal to the inductive proximity sensor.
Elements of Machine Vision
By Craig Hemken
Learners examine the basic elements of a machine vision system. A short quiz completes the activity.
The LVDT DC Conversion Circuit
Learners study how a circuit converts the AC output of a linear voltage differential transformer (LVDT) into variable DC voltage. It is recommended that learners view the learning object IAU7807, “The LVDT: A Linear Voltage Differential Transformer in Action” before going through this object.