Originally posted: https://www.tecquipment.com/case-studies/university-of-bradford
The University of Bradford in West Yorkshire raises the bar on practical learning of engineering science with TecQuipment products.
Engineering Laboratory Equipment: Engineering science, structures, materials and theory of machines
Bradford University Faculty of Engineering and Informatics has a number of different learning spaces to support a variety of engineering courses, including a multi-disciplinary engineering laboratory (360 degree view of the lab available here). This is an open plan laboratory, which offers a practical learning environment and efficient use of space, which incorporates a wide range of TecQuipment’s bench-mounted equipment, including a broad range of structures and materials testing equipment, such as the Thick Cylinder Apparatus.
The department also has an extensive range of Engineering Science units. These provide the perfect introduction to the fundamental principles in mechanical engineering and are often used in combination with more complex varieties of the experiments (such as the ES Gears Train Kit and the Geared Systems).
Check out the video made during a little down time at Bradford University for the Thick Cylinder Apparatus from our Materials Testing range:
Originally published on TQ’s website on Oct 8, 2018: https://www.tecquipment.com/case-studies/aerospace-equipment-for-solihull-college
Solihull College Uses TecQuipment Products for Teaching Aerospace Engineering and Maintenance Degree Students.
Solihull College and University Centre recently introduced an Aerospace Engineering and Maintenance Degree. A new facility was created, which required a substantial investment in specialist aeronautical educational equipment to teach everything from the basic theory of flight looking at drag and lift equations through to more advanced topics that look at boundary layers, pressure distribution and wake investigations. This was part of a £2.5m spend on the aviation and aeronautical facilities at the Woodlands campus of Solihull College and University Centre.
“After inviting companies to bid for the new equipment, we selected TecQuipment based on the premium specifications, competitive price, and reputation for quality of service supported by the excellent pre-sales experience,” commented Paul Matthews, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator at Solihull College.
Teaching Fundamentals of a Jet Engine
For teaching students how single shaft gas turbines on aircraft work, the College purchased a GT100 Turbo Jet Trainer. Powered by Kerosene, students can accurately replicate the behaviour of a single-shaft gas turbine that would be used in aircraft. The self-contained design allows students to learn the following:
Effect on thrust generation by variation in rotational speed and propelling nozzle area
Isentropic, polytropic and mechanical efficiencies of compressor, combustion chamber and turbine
Pressure ratios of turbine, compressor and nondimensional characteristics
Combustion chamber pressure losses and combustion efficiencies
Specific fuel consumption, thermal efficiency, air standard cycle, work ratio and heat balance
Turbojet Trainer uses Kerosene to replicate the behaviour of a single-shaft gas turbine.Firing up the Turbojet Trainer.
Theory of Flight
In addition to the BSc degree course, Solihull College also offers a HNC in aircraft maintenance, and a HND.
Salman Javed, Aerospace Lecturer at Solihull College explained “Rather than the BEng version of an aerospace engineering degree that focus on the design of aircraft, the BSc is designed to be more-hands on. This focus means that practical experiments play a greater role in the learning process.”
The aerodynamics lab has an array of different pieces of apparatus for teaching all of these courses.
Aerodynamics Principles
For teaching the foundations of aerodynamics, Solihull College purchased an AF1300 Subsonic Wind Tunnel. This is part of an extensive range of wind tunnels available from TecQuipment for teaching aerospace engineering students. The AF1300 Wind Tunnel sits in the middle of the TecQuipment wind tunnels range, is compact enough to be moved around on wheels, and yet has the functionality to allow students to perform experiments to understand the following:
Investigations into boundary layer development
Influence of angle of attack on aerofoil performance
Flow past bluff and streamlined bodies with pressure and velocity observations in the wake
Performance of an aerofoil with flap, influence of flap angle on lift, drag and stall
Pressure distribution around a cylinder under sub and super-critical flow conditions
Study of characteristics of models involving basic measurement of lift and drag forces
Study of the characteristics of three-dimensional aerofoils involving measurement of lift, drag and pitching moment
Study of the pressure distribution around an aerofoil model to derive the lift and comparison with direct measurements of lift
Flow visualisation
The AF1300 Subsonic Wind Tunnel is a compact, practical open-circuit suction wind tunnel for studying aerodynamics.Senior Lecturer Paul Matthews explains the basic theory of flight to a group of students.
Advanced Aerodynamic Theory with Supersonic Studies
For more advanced understandings, the College added an AF300 Intermittent Supersonic Wind Tunnel to their laboratory. At the easier end of advanced theory students can learn about nozzle pressure distribution, analyse Mach numbers and then use the Schleiren apparatus to measure and visualise pressure and shock waves on a model.
TecQuipment offers two supersonic wind tunnel options, the Intermittent and Continuous Supersonic Wind Tunnel. For budget, easy lab set-up and result accuracy reasons, Solihull College opted for the Intermittent Wind Tunnel, which stores compressed air in tanks – in this case a line of three tanks, which induces a flow in the working section of the wind tunnel. This controlled air supply provides a more stable flow of air with filters and air dryers for accurate results that can be captured in a 5-10 second window. Once the experiment has run, the air tanks will refill for 3-5 minutes and then be ready to run an experiment once more.
The Schlieren Apparatus allows students to see density gradients as variations in intensity of illumination, see for themselves supersonic air flow around models, plus shockwaves and expansions. A series of mirrors and lenses allow the student to see the results as they happen, while a digital camera records them for later reference. The recording functionality is particularly useful when sharing the results with a group of students.
Last week Max Tinsley and Amie Schellenberg traveled to Pignat’s manufacturing plant in Lyon, France to test and approve the first of 12 Process Control units being custom built for Thompson Rivers University’s (TRU) new Instrumentation program in Kamloops, BC.
Pictured above are Max Tinsley, Instrumentation Instructor with Régis Rodriguez, Pignat’s Product Specialist.
Régis has traveled extensively in Canada to install a broad range of Pignat equipment in colleges and universities, and to train the staff and faculty. But for large projects, we encourage customers to visit the factory to meet the design and engineering team prior to us shipping the equipment. Thank you to Amie for sharing this photo and for her kind words about the trip.
The Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Waterloo continues to expand their training equipment in the undergraduate labs, providing students with real world hands-on experience.
The left picture is the TUV/3000 UV Disinfection and TOC Reduction Unit, the right picture is a custom designed OTP-ABS Controlled Absorption & Regeneration pilot plant.
As with all training systems manufactured by Pignat and supported by AYVA, a factory engineer installed and commissioned the equipment and provided staff and faculty with the necessary training.
AYVA’s Chief Technology Officer was also present to supervise the electrical inspection and assist with a maintenance plan.
Once again, KUKA played host to distributors from throughout North America and Dianne Beveridge represented AYVA at this year’s conference. Jeff Burnstein, the President of the Robotics Industry Association spoke to how the skills gap continues to widen with a growing shortage of qualified people to work in Automation.
Jeff Barrett from 3M was another guest speaker who noted that KUKA had been recognized as a preferred supplier and strategic partner for 3M after a six sigma evaluation of different robots.
Of particular interest to AYVA was the update on the success of KUKA’s KORE Cart designed specifically for the education market. It has been widely adopted by schools wanting to give students experience in handling, path tracing, opening and closing a gripper with a real industrial robot. Students who successfully complete the 40hr. curriculum receive a KUKA certificate that will certainly set them apart if they pursue a STEM career.
Pictured Left to Right – Jon Chicken (Export Manager), Jason (AYVA’s Regional Manager) and Dave Giddings (Commissioning and Training Manager)
Nestled right in the middle of the UK, a 30-minute drive southwest of Nottingham, TecQuipment operates their facilities on a quaint little street no more than 200m long. Unbeknownst to my cab driver, this facility is directly responsible in aiding the education of thousands of engineers around the world. Jon Chicken, Director of Sales and Marketing, greets me and provides a tour of their impressive facility. All of their manufacturing is done in-house, in that very facility, with strict quality control. Inspections and testing happens several times throughout the manufacturing process of any individual product. Attention to detail is a priority, and the dedication to this craftsmanship is expressed on Jon’s face as he walks me through every process.
AYVA is the proud distributor of TecQuipment in Canada. Just one glance at TecQuipment’s shipping warehouse and it is clear that they are trusted by institutions around the world. Crates were being prepared and labeled for South Africa, Hong Kong, India, the US and many other countries on just that day alone. I was also fortunate enough to be trained on their most popular systems by Dave Gidding, TecQuipment’s well-travelled Installation and Training Manager. Together, both Jon and Dave reinforced and strengthened my confidence in their line of engineering educational equipment. We hope to pass that message on to you. Have a look through TecQuipment’s catalogue and let us know what interests you.
Thank you Jon, Dave, and the rest of the team at TecQuipment for your hospitality.
We at AYVA Educational want to thank our good friend from Pignat SAS, Regis Rodriguez, for helping to support our customers at Durham College and McMaster University – and for educating us on french vineyards!
Last month, Jason Peng from AYVA Educational visited Keyano College’s new Power Engineering Lab in Fort McMurray. The 4th Class Power Engineering Certification lab is designed for students who have completed 4th Class Part A & B theory courses from a recognized post-secondary institution, but do not have the six months steam time experience required to become certified as a 4th Class Power Engineer by ABSA.
Pictured above is the interior of the new power engineering lab.
The AYVA team attended a 1-day training session at the KUKA facilities in Mississauga this summer.
The training focused on KUKA’s robot technologies and also featured an introduction to the use of the robotic controller. The team was able to practice with the KUKA smartPAD operator control unit on a KR6 robot, one of the newest, fastest and most reliable robots in its class.
TecQuipment, leading provider of high quality educational equipment for engineering disciplines has today acquired certain assets of Cussons Technology Ltd, including the Intellectual Property specifically associated with the Engineering Educational Division and also certain physical assets such as manufacturing equipment and Educational product stock. The remaining part of Cussons Technology, the Marine Hydrodynamics & Industrial Division, is not included in this asset acquisition.
The asset acquisition will allow TecQuipment to rapidly expand the company’s range of engineering teaching products, and offer customers a greater degree of choice within existing product areas.
Following the administration of Cussons Technology Ltd on 17th October, TecQuipment began talks that would bring together the technology from two of the oldest engineering teaching equipment providers in the world, both based in the UK. This has come to fruition today, in the confirmation of the deal to acquire the agreed assets.
Simon Woods, TecQuipment’s Managing Director commented “TecQuipment is dedicated to being the leading provider of engineering teaching equipment to universities and colleges around the world, by delivering premium quality products, with unrivalled customer service. This asset acquisition is part of an ongoing strategy to offer an ever more comprehensive range and depth of engineering teaching products. It particularly strengthens areas such as the teaching of sustainable energy and steam power, along with further bolstering teaching capabilities related to topics including aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, process control and engines.”
Addressing the customers and agents of the Engineering Education Division of Cussons Technology, “We appreciate that this is an uncertain time for customers and agents of Cussons Technology Ltd, and wish to reassure the market that we will endeavour to assist in meeting their educational teaching equipment needs in the smoothest means possible. As a result we have set up a dedicated team to deal with such enquires that is headed up by TecQuipment’s Sales and Marketing Director Jon Chicken.” Explains Simon Woods.
About TecQuipment
TecQuipment is the leading provider of high quality educational equipment for engineering disciplines. The products allow students and educators to perform practical experiments to illustrate engineering principles relating to aerodynamics, control engineering, process control, hydraulics and fluid mechanics, material testing and properties, structures, renewable energies, mechanics and dynamics, thermodynamics and heat transfer, along with electrical power systems.
The company was founded 61 years ago by the Head of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nottingham and the Managing Director of a clock making company. Over this period, TecQuipment has grown in recognition of its reliable and robust products that are all designed and manufactured to the ISO9001 standard in Nottinghamshire, UK, delivered with a 5-year warranty. The products are used by students and educators across the world, in over 1500 establishments in more than 100 countries.
Cussons Technology was founded in 1876 and specialised in the development and manufacture of teaching and research equipment for mechanical engineering and allied subjects. Their customers were tertiary educational establishments worldwide, research institutes and government training establishments and the research departments of national and multinational companies. The company went into administration on 17t h October 2019.
Your Shopping Cart will be saved and you'll be given a link. You, or anyone with the link, can use it to retrieve your Cart at any time.
Back
Save & Share Cart
Your Shopping Cart will be saved with Product pictures and information, and Cart Totals. Then send it to yourself, or a friend, with a link to retrieve it at any time.
Your cart email sent successfully :)
Marie Claude Dupuis
I have taught grade 9 applied science, science and technology, grade 10 applied, regular and enriched science, grade 11 chemistry and physics for 33 years at Westwood Senior High School in Hudson Québec. I discovered the PASCO equipment in 2019 and it completely changed my life. I love to discover, produce experiments and share discoveries. I am looking forward to work with your team.
Christopher Sarkonak
Having graduated with a major in Computer Science and minors in Physics and Mathematics, I began my teaching career at Killarney Collegiate Institute in Killarney, Manitoba in 2009. While teaching Physics there, I decided to invest in PASCO products and approached the Killarney Foundation with a proposal about funding the Physics lab with the SPARK Science Learning System and sensors. While there I also started a tremendously successful new course that gave students the ability to explore their interests in science and consisted of students completing one project a month, two of which were to be hands-on experiments, two of which were to be research based, and the final being up to the student.
In 2011 I moved back to Brandon, Manitoba and started working at the school I had graduated from, Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School. In 2018 I finally had the opportunity to once again teach Physics and have been working hard to build the program. Being in the vocational school for the region has led to many opportunities to collaborate with our Electronics, Design Drafting, Welding, and Photography departments on highly engaging inter-disciplinary projects. I believe very strongly in showing students what Physics can look like and build lots of demonstrations and experiments for my classes to use, including a Reuben’s tube, an electromagnetic ring launcher, and Schlieren optics setup, just to name a few that have become fan favourites among the students in our building. At the end of my first year teaching Physics at Crocus Plains I applied for CERN’s International High School Teacher Programme and became the first Canadian selected through direct entry in the 21 years of the program. This incredible opportunity gave me the opportunity to learn from scientists working on the Large Hadron Collider and from CERN’s educational outreach team at the S’Cool Lab. Following this, I returned to Canada and began working with the Perimeter Institute, becoming part of their Teacher Network.
These experiences and being part of professional development workshops with the AAPT and the Canadian Light Source (CLS) this summer has given me the opportunity to speak to many Physics educators around the world to gain new insights into how my classroom evolves. As I work to build our program, I am exploring new ideas that see students take an active role in their learning, more inter-disciplinary work with departments in our school, the development of a STEM For Girls program in our building, and organizing participation in challenges from the ESA, the Students on the Beamline program from CLS, and our local science fair.
Meaghan Boudreau
Though I graduated with a BEd qualified to teach English and Social Studies, it just wasn’t meant to be. My first job was teaching technology courses at a local high school, a far cry from the English and Social Studies job I had envisioned myself in. I was lucky enough to stay in that position for over ten years, teaching various technology courses in grades 10-12, while also obtaining a Master of Education in Technology Integration and a Master of Education in Online Instructional Media.
You will notice what is absent from my bio is any background in science. In fact, I took the minimum amount of required science courses to graduate high school. Three years ago I switched roles and currently work as a Technology Integration Leader; supporting teachers with integrating technology into their pedagogy in connection with the provincial outcomes. All of our schools have PASCO sensors at some level (mostly grades 4-12) and I made it my professional goal to not only learn how to use them, but to find ways to make them more approachable for teachers with no formal science background (like me!). Having no background or training in science has allowed me to experience a renewed love of Science, making it easier for me to support teachers in learning how to use PASCO sensors in their classrooms. I wholeheartedly believe that if more teachers could see just how easy they are to use, the more they will use them in the classroom and I’ve made it my goal to do exactly that.
I enjoy coming up with out-of-the-box ways of using the sensors, including finding curriculum connections within subjects outside of the typical science realm. I have found that hands on activities with immediate feedback, which PASCO sensors provide, help students and teachers see the benefits of technology in the classroom and will help more students foster a love of science and STEAM learning.
Michelle Brosseau
I have been teaching since 2009 at my alma mater, Ursuline College Chatham. I studied Mathematics and Physics at the University of Windsor. I will have completed my Professional Master’s of Education through Queen’s University in 2019. My early teaching years had me teaching Math, Science and Physics, which has evolved into teaching mostly Physics in recent years. Some of my favourite topics are Astronomy, Optics and Nuclear Physics. I’ve crossed off many activities from my “Physics Teacher Bucket List”, most notably bungee jumping, skydiving, and driving a tank.
Project-based learning, inquiry-based research and experiments, Understanding by Design, and Critical Thinking are the frameworks I use for planning my courses. I love being able to use PASCO’s sensors to enhance the learning of my students, and make it even more quantitative.
I live in Chatham, Ontario with my husband and two sons.
