Engineering
Learning Objects
Dive into Wisc-Online’s rich collection of learning objects — bite-sized, interactive, and designed for real learning. These modular digital tools include animations, drag-and-drop exercises, quizzes, videos, and more. You can explore topics across STEM, arts, humanities, career skills, and beyond. Each learning object is crafted to help learners actively engage with content—reviewing, applying, self-checking—in a way that’s flexible and self-paced.
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Learning Object
Problem Solving: Using a Run Chart
You'll understand how to use a run chart to describe a manufacturing problem.
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how do i use a run chart, problem solving, run chart examples, run chart homework, what is a run chart
Process Variation
In manufacturing, controlling the production process is critical. Part of this control is knowing when to make adjustments and when to let the line run. Step onto the production line in our manufacturing plant and learn what process variation is and how it impacts your bottom line.
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adjustments, control, manufacturing, Metrology, production
Programming a PLC Timer
In this animated object, learners examine the types of information to enter, and the sequence of steps required, to program a programmable logic controller (PLC) timer.
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controller, controllers, logic, plc, plcs, programmable, programming, timer, timers
Quick-Return Mechanism Velocity Calculations
In this animated and interactive object, learners calculate the maximum velocity of the work stroke and the return stroke.
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bar, crank, engineering, four, jj0003, linkages, mechanical, mechanism, quick, return, slider, stroke, velocity, work
RC Time Constant
In this animated object, learners observe the voltage on a capacitor at various time constants when it either charges or discharges. Students then answer questions in the categories of Identify, Compare, and Compute.
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capacitor, capacitors, charge, charging, circuit, constant, constants, discharge, discharging, network, rc, series, time
RL Time Constant
Learners read an explanation of the RL time constant and examine the formula for calculating the instantaneous current value. The current is graphed as it climbs to maximum or drops to zero. Note* In the formulas in this module, the Greek letter epsilon should be the mathematical constant 'e'.
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constant, dc, electronics, inductance, inductor, L/R time constant, tau
RPM of AC Motors
Learners study factors that affect the synchronous speed of an AC motor: the applied AC frequency and the number of stator poles.
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ac motor, motor speed, number of poles, pole pairs, rpm, synchronous speed
Ratios and Proportions
In this interactive object, learners simplify ratios and solve problems using proportions. All terms are defined.
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Reading the Title Block
In this activity we’ll explain what a title block is and how to read the information it holds.
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Resistor Color Code Description
In this interactive activity, students read about the colored stripes on a resistor and interpret the placement of those colors to determine the value of four-band resistors.
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cc0001, code, color, dc, electronics, resistor
Resistor Color Code Practice
In this learning activity you'll build a resistor's color code based on the bands.
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cc0001, code, color, resistor
Reversing the Rotation of DC Motors
Learners view animations showing how to change the connections to cause a DC motor to reverse its rotation. A short quiz completes the activity.
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dc, direction, motor, motors, reversing, rotation
Robotic Welding Instructions
The learner will gain an understanding of how a robot uses welding instructions to perform tasks. This learning activity includes video.
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linear motion incorrect weld end, linear motion while welding, linear motion without welding, robot, welding data parameters, welding instruction, welding instructions, welding robot
Rotating Vector Representation of the Sine Function
The learner will be able to represent steady-state AC sinusoidal signals using phasors, which will lead to a simplified technique of analyzing AC circuits in a very similar way that we analyze DC circuits.
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circuit, circuit analysis, phase vector, phasor, sine wave, steady-state
SMAW Electrode Characteristics
In this learning activity, you’ll explore the characteristics of common, carbon steel shielded metal arc welding electrodes, which fall under American Welding Society specification A5.1.
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SMAW Electrodes, welding electrodes, Welding specifications, what's the difference between SMAW electrodes
Schematic Diagram Symbols
In this learning activity you'll review various types of common components used in electronics and view their schematic diagram symbols.
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cc0002, components, diagram, drawings, electronic, schematic, symbols
Sectional Views
In this interactive object, learners examine sectional views used in engineering drawings. The sections shown are full, half, offset, aligned, revolved, and broken-out. Learners match drawings of sectional views with the names of the views.
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aided, aligned, arrow, blueprint, broken, computer, cutting, design, detail, dimensional, drafting, drawings, engineering, front, full, half, hatch, isometric, line, model, object, out, pictorial, plane, profile, reading, revolved, sections, side, sketch, three, top, two, view, visualize
Selector Switch Labeling
In this animated object, learners examine the method of interpreting the truth tables for two-position and three-position selector switches on ladder logic circuit diagrams.
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circuits, diagrams, labeling, ladder, logic, selector, switch, switches
Series Capacitance
Students view the steps for determining the total capacitance for a series circuit. They then work practice problems.
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aa0003, capacitance, capacitors, dc, electronics, series, total
Series Circuit Analysis Practice Problems Part 2
In this interactive object, learners solve additional problems involving total resistance and current, the current through each resistor, the voltage across each resistor, and the power dissipated.
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analysis, dc, series
Series Inductance
In this learning activity you'll calculate the total inductance of a series circuit.
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aa0004, circuit, inductance, inductor, inductors, series
Series Motor Runaway (Screencast)
Learners consider the changes inside a series motor that could cause it to break apart if the load was disconnected. A quiz completes the activity.
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away, dc, motor, motors, run, series
Series-Parallel Circuit Analysis Practice Problems: Circuit #5
Learners examine a series-parallel circuit and solve 14 problems related to voltage, current, and power. A help screen is provided.
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dc, electronics, parallel, practice, problems, series
Series-Parallel Circuit Analysis Practice Problems: Circuit 2
In this interactive object, learners solve a series-parallel DC circuit analysis problem. Immediate step-by-step feedback is given.
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analysis, circuit, dc, parallel, series
Series-Parallel Circuit Analysis Practice Problems: Circuit 3
In this interactive object, learners solve a series-parallel DC circuit analysis problem. Immediate step-by-step feedback is given.
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analysis, circuit, parallel, series
Series-Parallel Circuit Analysis: Practice Problems Circuit 1
In this interactive object, learners analyze a series-parallel DC circuit problem in a series of steps. Immediate feedback is provided.
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analysis, circuit, dc, parallel, series
Series-Parallel DC Circuits Analysis
Learners follow a methodical approach for the dc analysis of series-parallel circuits.
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analysis, dc, parallel, series, STEM
Series-Parallel Practice Problems Circuit 4
In this interactive object, learners work 12 problems dealing with dc circuit analysis.
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dc, parallel, practice, problems, seris
Setting Up and Using an Offset Boring Head
This video will examine the parts of an offset boring head, and how to setup and use the head.
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Boring, Boring Hea, Bridgeport, Machine Tool, Mill, Milling Machine, Offset
Shapes of Simple Molecules - Part 1 (Screencast)
In this animated and interactive object, learners observe how two, three, or four groups of electrons around the central atom cause the shape of the molecule to be linear, trigonal planar, bent, tetrahedral, or pyramidal. Seven examples and eight interactive questions are provided.
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Single-Phase Motors: Introduction to Phase-Splitting
Learners will understand how the interaction of the armature magnetic field and the rotating stator field cause the rotor of a single-phase AC motor to turn.
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ac, electrical, motors, phase, single, split
Sizing Motor Overloads
Learners use the National Electrical Code to determine the size of a motor overload protection device.
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device, devices, moter, motor, motors, overload, overloads, protection, sizing
Sizing a Sanitary Sump (Single Pump)
Learners follow steps to size a sanitary sump using the Wisconsin Plumbing Code. A quiz completes the activity.
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non, piping, public, sizing, supply
Sizing a Tank Type Water Heater
In this interactive learning object, the learner practices sizing a tank-type water heater for one- and two-family residences, townhouses, and apartments with individual water heaters.
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plumbing, tank water heater, water heater sizing
Sizing an Automatic Car Wash Interceptor
Learners follow steps for sizing a car wash interceptor according to the Wisconsin Administrative Plumbing Code. A quiz completes the activity. (Hover your mouse in lower right corner to see the next button)
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interceptors
Sizing an Interior Grease Interceptor (Screencast)
Learners follow steps to size an interior grease interceptor in a plumbing system that is collecting deleterious materials from a commercial kitchen sink. A brief quiz completes the activity.
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plumbing
Sizing an Interior Grease Interceptor for a Commercial Dishwasher
Learners follow steps to size an interior grease interceptor for a commercial dishwasher. This animated learning object presents plumbing code requirements and industry standards. A brief quiz completes the activity.
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grease, traps
Solubility of Ionic Compounds in Water
Learners view movie clips to determine the solubility of two ionic compounds. They also examine a solubility chart and predict the solubility of compounds.
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insoluble, rules, salt, solubility, soluble
Squaring the Toolhead
In this video, we’ll go over the necessary steps to square the toolhead on a Bridgeport mill.
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Bridgeport, Machine Tool, Mill, Milling Machine
Sterling Drill Grinder
In this document you'll review the Sterling Drill Grinder.
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drill, drilling, grinder, sharpening, sterling
Synchronous Motors
In this animated object, learners study how the internal parts of an AC synchronous motor interact with magnetic fields to cause rotation. A short quiz completes the activity.
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ac, ac synchronous motor, electricity, magnetic field, motor, stem
Temperature Emissivity of Non-Blackbodies (Screencast)
Learners study the effect of reflected and transmitted energy on the measurement of emitted energy by a non-blackbody. A short quiz completes the activity.
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blackbodies, blackbody, emissivity, emitted, energy, measurements, pyrometer, pyrometry, radiated, radiation, reflected, temperature, transmitted
The 7493 IC Binary Counter (Screencast)
In this screencast, learners examine the construction of a 7493 IC as mod-2 and mod-8 up-counters. They view how this binary counter can be modified to operate at different modulus counts.
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7493, counter, electronic
The Absolute Rotary Encoder
The learner will gain an understanding of robot motion control by comprehending the fundamentals of the encoder.
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encoder, led transmitter, optical absolute encoder, photo sensor, robot, robot motion control
The Basic Operation of a Diode
In this interactive and animated object, learners examine the operation of a semiconductor diode when it is forward and reverse biased. A brief quiz completes the activity.
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biased, diode, diodes, forward, reverse, rr0001, semiconductor
The Combined Gas Law
Learners combine Boyle's Law and Charles's Law to solve for the pressure, volume, and temperature of a gas sample under two sets of conditions.
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The Current Limiting Circuit
Learners examine the circuitry in a DC variable speed drive that protects the rectifier diodes and motor windings from being damaged due to excessive current.
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DC Drive, DC variable speed, electrical machines, electrical motors
The Cycloidal Gear Drive
The learner will gain an understanding of the inner workings of the cycloidal gear drive while watching a video and listening to an explanation of its features.
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cycloidal, cycloidal gear box, planetary gear drive, robotics, robots, welding gear drives
The DC Shunt Motor
Learners examine the operation of a DC Shunt motor and its characteristics. A quiz completes the activity.
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dc, electrical, motor, motors, shunt, STEM, the
The Dial Caliper
Learners review guidelines for the proper use of a dial caliper. Illustrations appear throughout the learning object.
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caliper, depth, dial, measurements, misalignment, standard, step, tolerance
The Engine Lathe
This document is a visual and text description of the engine lathe.
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lathes
The Firing Circuit of a DC Drive
In this animated activity, learners examine the firing circuits in a DC variable speed drive. The circuits cause the current flow through the armature and rpm to vary. This activity has audio content.
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circuits, DC Drive, electrical motor, industrial automation, motor speed
The Frequency of an AC Generator
Learners study the factors that determine the frequency of an AC generator, such as the rotational speed of the armature or the number of stator poles.
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ac, frequency, generator, generators
The Horizontal Portion of the Sine Wave
In this animated object, learners examine cycles, frequency, Hertz, wavelengths, and periods. A brief quiz completes the activity.
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aa0001, ac, alternating, current, frequency, period, sine, voltage, wave, wavelength
The Hydraulic Color Code (Screencast)
In this screencast, learners read an explanation of the color code used on schematic diagrams for hydraulic circuits. Circuit examples for each color are shown.
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circuits, code, color, hydraulic, hydraulics
The Hydraulic Pressure Switch
This animated lesson shows several ways that a hydraulic pressure switch, connected in a ladder circuit, causes the cylinder of a hydraulic circuit to perform various applications.
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hydraulics, hysteresis, pressure switch, setpoint
The Hydraulic System
Examine the components of a hydraulic system.
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cylinder, flow, hydraulics, pressure gauge, prime mover, reservoir
The IR Comp Network
In this animated activity, learners examine the circuitry in a DC variable speed drive that keeps the motor running at a constant speed as the load varies.
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electric machines, electric motors, IR Compensation, motor loading, potentiometer, speed drive
The Induction Motor Slip
In this animated object, learners examine how the rotation of an induction AC motor's armature slips behind the synchronous rotational speed of the stator's field to create magnetic fields. These fields interact and produce torque. A quiz completes the activity.
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armature, induction ac motor, stator, stem
The Logic Gates (Screencast)
Students read information about basic logic gates including the gates' names, symbols, Boolean expressions, pronunciations, and truth tables. They then complete a matching exercise.
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digital, gates, logic
The Magnetic Circuit
Learners compare electromagnetic quantities with the voltage, current, and resistance quantities of an electrical circuit. A brief quiz completes the object.
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ampere, electromagnet, flux, force, lines, magnet, magnetic, magnetomotive, mmf, reluctance, turns, weber
The Multiplication of Force by a Hydraulic System
In this animated and interactive object, learners examine a depiction of how force is multiplied by a larger cylinder when pressure from a pump is applied to a smaller cylinder. A short quiz completes the activity.
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cylinder, ff0001, hydraulic, hydraulics, piston
The Op Amp Integrator
The learner will understand the circuit configuration and operation of an integrator op amp.
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capacitor, circuit, op amp, operational amplifier, resistor
The Planetary Gear Drive
The learner will understand the design of a planetary gear drive and its advantages and disadvantages.
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epicyclic gear train, gear backlash, gear ratio reduction drive train, planetary gear drive, ptolemy, ring gear, robotic drive systems, robotics, sun gear
The Processor Scan Cycle (Screencast)
Learners examine the three steps of a processor scan cycle.
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controller, controllers, cycle, logic, plc, plcs, processor, programmable, scan
The Reflected Load in a Transformer (Screencast)
Learners examine how the load resistance connected to the secondary coil of a transformer affects the primary current. A brief quiz completes the activity.
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down, load, reflected, step, tranformer, transformer, transformers, up
The Six-Axis Robot
The learner will view videos showing the movements of each axis of the six-axis robot.
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bending of wrist movement, industrial robots, radial traverse, robot, rotational traverse, rotational upper arm, six-axis robot, twisting of wrist movement, vertical traverse, welding
The Solenoid
In this interactive lesson, students view the operation of a solenoid and read about its application. A brief assessment concludes the activity.
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cc0008, field, magnetic, magnetism, reluctance, solenoid
The Strain Wave Gear Principle
The learner will understand the inner workings of the strain wave gear principle.
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advanced robotics, circular spline, flex spline, gearing systems, industrial motion control, wave generator
The Thevenin Theorem
This animated object allows students to examine the four steps used to reduce a complex circuit to a simple series circuit.
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dc, electronics, thevenin
The Three-Phase AC Generator
In this 3D animated object, learners examine the way in which a three-phase generator produces three sine waves with three armature coils. A quiz completes the activity.
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ac, electrical, generator, generators, phase, three
The Time Proportioning Operational Amplifier (Screencast)
In this animated object, learners see how a time proportioning operational amplifier varies an average DC voltage. A brief quiz completes the activity.
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amp, amplifier, op, operational, proportioning, rr0005, time
The Time-of-Flight Flowmeter (Screencast)
Learners view animations showing how a time-of-flight flowmeter uses ultrasonic sound waves to measure the flow of a liquid.
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flight, flow, flowmeter, flowmeters, meter, meters, time
The Torque of an Induction Motor
The learner will examine how torque is developed in an induction motor.
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conductor bar, developing torque in an induction motor, motor slip, rotor bar, rotor field, stator fields
The Variable Reluctance Stepper Motor (Screencast)
Learners view colorful animations showing the operation of a VR stepper motor.
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electrical, motor, motors, reluctance, stepper, variable
The Vertical Portion of the Sine Wave
In this animated lesson, learners examine sine waves and alternating current. A brief quiz completes the object.
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aa0001, ac, alternating, amplitude, current, sine, voltage, wave, waveform
The Zener Diode: Practice Problems
Students complete 10 practice problems. These deal with the determination of series current, zener current, and load current, and if the zener diode is operating in the breakdown region.
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ac, diode, rr0002, zener
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.
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cold, junction, sensor, sensors, temperature, thermocouple, thermocouples
Thermodynamic Transfer
In this animated object, learners examine how thermal energy is transferred by conduction, convection, and radiation. A brief quiz completes the activity.
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conduction, convection, dynamics, energy, radiation, thermal, thermodynamic, transfer
Thread Specifications
In this interactive object, learners examine standard and metric thread specifications used in engineering drawings. In a brief quiz, they identify various internal and external thread representations.
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aided, blueprint, coarse, computer, design, detailed, diameter, dimensional, drafting, drawings, engineering, fit, front, grade, isometric, major, metric, object, pictorial, pitch, position, profile, reading, schematic, series, side, simplified, sketch, three, tolerance, top, two, unc, unf, view
Three-Wire Sensors
The learner will understand how to correctly wire a three-wire sinking and sourcing sensor.
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european sensor color code standard, output, proximity sensor, sensor, sinking, sourcing, wire
Through Arc Seam Tracking (TAST)
Robotic welding is revolutionizing welder safety, efficiency, and technique. Knowing how to program a robotic welder is key in this ever-changing industry. In this module you’ll explore what Through-Arc Seam Tracking (TAST) is, discover how it works, and see it applied on the job.
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robot, robotic, welding
Timing Diagrams (Screencast)
The explanation and use of timing diagrams used in digital electronics to graphically show the operation of various circuits are given.
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dd0001, diagram, diagrams, gate, timing, waveform
Total Resistance in a DC Parallel Circuit
In this learning activity you'll determine the total resistance in a DC parallel circuit.
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cc0005, dc, electronics, parallel, resistance, resistors
Total Resistance in a Parallel Circuit
The learner will apply the three formulas used to find the total resistance of three types of parallel resistor circuit configurations.
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cc0005, circuits, over, parallel, product, reciprocal, resistance, sum, total
Total Resistance of a Series Circuit
In this learning activity you'll review the process of solving for the total resistance in a series DC circuit.
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cc0004, dc, electronics, resistance, resistors, series
Total Resistance of a Series-Parallel Circuit: Practice Problems 2
Learners work practice problems to calculate the total resistance of a circuit. Feedback is provided.
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dc, electronics, parallel, resistance, series, total
Touch Sensing
You’ll explore how to use Touch Sensing to do a one directional search with a Fanuc Robot and offset of the robot’s programmed path.We’ll explore touch sense fundamentals, touch sense commands, and break down a touch sense program.
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1D search, Fanuc, robotic welding, weld, welding
Transfer Functions: The RL High Pass Filter (Screencast)
Learners read how the RL high pass filter is developed. The transfer function is used in Excel to graph the Vout. The circuit is also simulated in Electronic WorkBench and the resulting Bode plot is compared to the graph from Excel.
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filter, function, high, pass, rl, transfer
Transformer Practice Problems
Students solve practice problems on voltage, current, and impedance matching. Examples precede the problems.
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aa0005, ac, ee0001, transformer, xfmr
Truth Tables
Instructions on how to use and construct a truth table for digital devices are provided.
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dd0001, devices, logic, table, tables, truth
Truth Tables (Screencast)
Instructions on how to use and construct a truth table for digital devices are provided.
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dd0001, devices, logic, table, tables, truth
Types of Motion Instructions
The learner will identify the types of motion instructions used for programming a robot.
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circular, joint, linear, motion instructions, robot, robotic, robots, torch, weld, welding
Understanding Circular Robotic Motions
The learner will learn the programming steps that are used to create circular motions with robots.
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circular motion, manufacturing, programming robots, robotic motion, robots
Up/Down-Counter Application
In this animated object, learners examine how PLC up/down-counters are used to control an automated parking lot gate.
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application, controller, controllers, counter, counters, logic, plc, plcs, programmable, up/down
Using a Sine Bar
The learner will use the deceptively simple sine bar to measure angles to minutes or even half minutes.
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angle, measuring angularity, metrology, sine bar, trigonometry
Vectors in Polar Form
In this learning activity you'll place given vectors in correct positions on the Cartesian coordinate system.
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angle, direction, form, magnitude, polar, polar form, polar notation, vector
Vernier Identification Review
In this interaction the student is presented with 12 questions on vernier caliper parts identification.
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caliper, review, vernier
Vernier Measurements Review
In this learning activity you'll follow 11 steps to take measurements using a Vernier caliper.
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caliper, how to use a vernier caliper, industrial measurements, precision measurements, review, scale, vernier