Sensors & Actuators · SHS3 Robotics

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 3.1.3.LI.2 - Evaluate an industrial control requirement and recommend final control actuators with appropriate justification.

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Analyse a given industrial control requirement and identify the key performance parameters (force, speed, precision, power source) that determine actuator selection.
Compare and contrast at least four types of final control actuators (electric motors, hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, and solenoid valves) using criteria such as cost, precision, speed, and maintenance.
Recommend a suitable actuator for a specified industrial process and justify the choice with at least three evidence-based reasons.
Evaluate an existing unautomated local industry process and propose a justified actuator combination to automate it, identifying trade-offs in the selection.
Present and defend actuator selection decisions in a group setting, responding constructively to peer questions and alternative views.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Principles of Robotic Systems (Strand 1)
Sub-strand: Sensors & Actuators (1.3)
Content standard: 3.1.3.CS.1 - 3.1.3.CS.1 Demonstrate analytical skills in the selection of final control elements for industrial control solutions. 3.1.3.LO.1 Observe and explain the underlying STEM concepts of functional automated system processes and recommend feasible automation designs for unautomated industrial processes.
Indicator: 3.1.3.LI.2 - Evaluate an industrial control requirement and recommend final control actuators with appropriate justification.
Suggested placement: Semester 2, Week 7 (Week 27 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 157

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Project-Based Learning: Learners work in small groups to analyse the typical operation processes of any unautomated local industry. Learners should come up with sensor and actuation requirement specifications to automate the processes involved in the operations of the local industry. Learners recommend and justify actuator combinations that can be used to replace the manual processes of the local industry and sketch actuation designs for the automation of the processes identified.

Learners discuss the following items in groups and share them with the rest of the class.
- How did the team arrive at the final design solution?
- Is the design realistic and well-proportioned?
- How did each team member contribute towards the overall design?
- Do you feel like everyone had an equal opportunity to contribute to the creative process?

Assessment (3.1.3.AS.2). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 4 Extended critical thinking and reasoning.

Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Real actuators
- Online resources, including pictures
- Videos of actuators in operation
- Online resources and videos
- Internet
- Field trips (where applicable)