Pneumatic circuit simulators as a teaching tool

Abstract

This article aims to encourage and guide teachers in various educational institutions to use the simulation software classes in pneumatic and hydraulic actuators, showing the facilities to work and interpret the developed circuits. This study shows the main contributions generated (using the software) to the teaching and learning of students of technical courses and higher, improving the use and enthusiasm of the students themselves. Through the analysis of an electropneumatic circuit developed with the help of software the advantages and disadvantages of working with simulators were evaluated. The results of this analysis were evaluated by carrying out satisfaction surveys with students from Technician Tooling Mould (CTFM) 3rd semester and also with students of the Technical Course in Mechatronics (CTMT) 4th semester. The results showed that 95% of students indicated improvement in the capture of the knowledge with using this tool, 5% showed no, or not noticeable changes using this tool. Another method used to evaluate the results of this study was to perform a practical evaluation of an electro-pneumatic circuit, where it has been found that there was a grade increase of 22% average overall CTFM 3rd semester and 35% average overall CTMT 4 semester.