Interactive Lab Assistant: Conveyer Belt Technology

The experiment instructions constitute an Interactive Lab Assistant course. This multimedia course extends gear technology topics into drive technology and the basic principles of control system technology. Drive technology and electrotechnical fundamentals are explained by means of easily comprehensible animated graphics.
In conjunction with the question section, the Interactive Lab Assistant forms a complete experimentation environment. This course provides students with technically methodical expertise in a mechatronic system using the example of a conveyor belt system. Along with basic knowledge, students acquire autonomous professional operational expertise through a combination of open-loop and closed-loop control system capabilities as well as motor skills.

Course content

The ILA course in conveyor belt technology is divided into different units. After a general section covers safety and an introduction, there are three theoretical sections. First, the required theory is explained or reviewed. This is followed by learning units that deal specifically with the conveyor belt system and build on one another. They include questions that can be used to verify the student’s knowledge level. The course wraps up with small practical exercises that help students put their newly acquired knowledge into hands-on practice and thereby internalise it.

If the required knowledge is lacking during the practical exercises, the student can jump back to the theoretical part to refresh their memory at any time.

Expertise

The following expertise is taught:

The participants in the course

• know about the representation and operation of the technical components of a conveyor belt system.
• can conduct a systematic functional and visual inspection of the conveyor belt system. 
• can identify, set and adjust necessary sensors.
• can competently maintain and repair a conveyor belt system and its components.

Prerequisites

For the successful completion of this course, it is helpful to have completed the gear drive technology course. It is further assumed that the student has basic knowledge of metalworking at the fundamental level (1st year of training) of relevant metalworking professions:

• Basic principles of technical drawing 
• Preparation, documentation and interpretation of test protocols 
• Describing the functional interrelations of sub-assemblies
• Retrieval of information from technical sources
• Compliance with regulations relative to occupational safety, health and the environment
• Basic principles of electrical wiring
• Maintenance of technical systems

Procedure

At the start of the course, the learning objectives are first clarified and the required materials and safety procedures are pointed out. This information must be read through carefully. Thereafter, the student can begin to work through the learning units, which build on one another.