Engineering Simulations & Learning

General discription of simulations and why they are important.
Simulation is an important process in that it enables the running of varied scenarios that can model real world situations. This allows, for example, training for specialized professions such as aero-space, the military, sea and rescue, etc. Simulation is also used to mitigate risks during research and development of new technologies. Simulations also provide important data points for analysis and forms the basis for insights as to how systems and system operators are likely to perform under certain conditions.

Simulations are also important in the field of materials science. Reasearchers can, for instance, test the viability of materials used to produce components and test systems designs and performance. In this manner, simulation is an important tool used during the testing and refinement process and in managing R & D costs. And of course, this means that manufacturers can get their products to market faster.

Open Courseware And EICC

Open courseware is basically academia's attempt to democratize education. In other words, educational institutions are providing courses and related learning materials to the public at large at no cost. Sometimes institutions may adopt a "freemium" model in which certificates, upon successful completion of a course, may be obtained for a fee. This practice gives institutions a means of partially off setting the costs for their services but also provides greater brand recognition.

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) has provided a number of online simulations and quizzes that introduce a number of fundamental engineering concepts. Although the simulations are directly and individually accessible, they are primarily meant to be used as learning aids in combination with course curriculum.

EICC offers a degree program tailored to build competencies in a number of engineering disciplines. The program is mainly geared towards traditional full-time students and towards people already working in an occupation and who seek to gain specific technical skills.

The Associate in Applied Science Degree at EICC is designed so that roughly the first three semesters are identical and students can take courses at any of the three colleges. In the final semester, the student has the choice of specializing in four different areas: Automation, Electro/Mechanical, Process Control or Renewable Energy. These courses are delivered with a hybrid approach that works for both people in the workforce and full time students. The courses are offered through the online platform of the Iowa Community College Online Consortium (ICCOC), and a classroom/hands-on lab environment.

What models are available to the public?

All simulations are downloadable and embedable with interactive quizzes. Videos are also available for download.

AC Circuit Analysis

AC circuit analysis offers seven basic circuit designs that illustrate fundamental principles as to how circuits work.

Basic Math Topics

Basic math topics covered include fractions, algebraic expressions, percent decrease, pythagorean theorem and equations.

DC Circuit Anylysis

There are six types of simulations that illustrate basic circuits and how to analyze the performance of various components.

Digitial Circuits & Systems

This simulation introduces the concept of digital (binary) circuits and systems and demonstrates how they function.

Electric Motor Control & Power

Simulations in this section introduce the concepts of motors and overload relays, memory logic (and, or, not, nor), selector switches, torque and horse power, time delay relays, inductive, capacitive and photoelectric sensors and how solinoids work.

Industrial Print Reading

This section covers detail and assembly drawings, information on a blueprint, section views, blueprint lines and understanding drawing views.

Industrial Robotics

Industrial Robotics covers subjects such as risk assessment in robotic applications, six degrees of movement, open loop and closed loop systems, robotic are geometry and lifting devices an robotics.

Lean Manufacturing

Lean Manufacturing introduces the circular concepts of Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu and Shitsuke.

Microcontrollers

Microcontrollers simulations include microtechnology, bi and tri colored LED's, radio waves, seven segment displays, field bus technology and backbone devices.

Motion Control

Motion Control covers how servo motors work, elements of motion control, feedback devices in motion control and how actuators work.

Motors & Drives

Motors and Drives demonstrates concepts surrounding DC controllers, DC motor basics, AC motor basics and AC drive controllers.

Physics Fundamentals

Physics Fundamentals encompasses concepts on water and temperature, radiation conduction and convection, the Doppler Effect, light and light properties, light refraction, radiation properties, atoms, electrons, photons and light, the law of gravity, collisions and Newton's Law of Motion.

Process Control

Process Control covers piping and instrumentation, control valve actuators, propotional gain and propotional band, process calibrators, functions of a closed loop system, pressure measurements, PID (Propotional Integral and Derivative Circuits), defferential flow meters, PH control and hydrostatic pressure.

Programmable Logic Controllers

Programmable Logic Controllers addresses control logic tasks (main, perodic, event tasks), comparison instructions, bit shift instructions, PID control, AC input and output modules in PLC's, ladderr logic programs in PLC's, manual and automatic mode PLC ladder logic, operations of immediate instructions, timer functions on/off delays, ladder logic functions in PLC's and count instructions (accumulator).

Solid States & Systems

Solid States and Systems demonstrates electronic control devices, operational amplifiers, zener regulators, electronic oscillators, multistage amplifiers and NPN transistors.

EICC Resources

Information about the EICC and simulations are found here.