Professional Certificate of Competency in Hydraulics and Pneumatics

Module 1: Pressure and Flow Concepts

• Definition and units of pressure measurement
• Pascal’s law and applications
• Pressure/force relationship
• Fluid flow/discharge
• Steady and unsteady flows
• Bernoulli’s principle
• Laminar and turbulent flows
• Pressure/flow relationship

Module 2: Hydraulic Cylinders

• Classification (single vs. double acting)
• Cylinder construction and mounting
• Cylinder cushioning
• Seals
• Cylinder design checklist
• Common cylinder problems

Module 3: Hydraulic Directional Control Valves

• Classification and symbols
• Poppet, Check and Spool valves
• Directly and indirectly, operated valves
• Valve actuation methods
• 2, 3, and 4-way direction control valves
• Positive and negative overlapping
• Center conditions

Module 4: Hydraulic Pressure and Flow Control Valves

• Relief valve
• Surge pressure
• Sequence valves
• Counterbalance valves
• Pressure reducing valves
• Brake valves
• Unloading valves
• Flow control valve function and types

Module 5: Hydraulic Accessories, Hydraulic Fluids

• Introduction to oil reservoirs, filters, heat exchangers, pipes, hoses
• Hydraulic fluid characteristics
• Oil groups, Neutralization number
• Oil contamination, cleanliness and storage
• Oil additives
• Common problems associated with hydraulic oil

Module 6: Basic Hydraulic Circuits and Applications – Part 1

• Symbols of hydraulic components
• Basic understanding of hydraulic circuits
• Types of hydraulic circuits and their illustration
• Design and application of hydraulic circuits

Module 7: Basic Hydraulic Circuits and Applications – Part 2

• Design and application of hydraulic circuits (Contd.)
• Advantages of hydraulic systems
• Simulation of hydraulic circuits using relevant software

Assessment 1

Module 8: Electro-Hydraulic Systems

• Proportional solenoid
• Proportional valve
• Servo valve
• Comparison of proportional and servo technology
• Use of transducers in hydraulic systems

Module 9: Maintenance and Troubleshooting of Hydraulic Systems

• Safety and cleanliness in hydraulic systems
• Preventive maintenance
• Commissioning procedures and pre-commissioning checks
• Troubleshooting hydraulic system faults/failures
• Prevention of pre-mature hydraulic component failures

Module 10: Pneumatic System Fundamentals

• Characteristics of air
• Air generation, preparation, and distribution
• Characteristics of pneumatic systems
• Pneumatic symbols
• Components of pneumatic systems
• Pneumatic elements – control valves, actuators

Module 11: Pneumatic Circuit Design, Maintenance and Troubleshooting

• Pneumatic circuit design
• Troubleshooting: flow chart analysis of pneumatic circuits
• Maintenance of pneumatic systems

Module 12: Unit Review

In the final week, students will have an opportunity to review the contents covered so far. Opportunity will be provided for a review of student work and to clarify any outstanding issues. Instructors/facilitators may choose to cover a specialized topic or some case studies if applicable to that cohort.

Assessment 2

Graduates of the Professional Certificate of Competency in Hydraulics and Pneumatics will be able to:

• Explain the concepts related to pressure and flow.
• Illustrate the operation of hydraulic and pneumatic system components such as actuators and control valves.
• Develop simple circuits for hydraulic and pneumatic applications.
• Examine in detail, the characteristics of hydraulic oil and air.
• Compare proportional and servo technology in regard to electro-hydraulic systems.
• Design and Troubleshoot hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

You will also get direct credit to one unit in the EIT Bachelor of Science (Mechanical Engineering) unit BME206 Hydraulics and Pneumatics upon successful completion of this Professional Certificate of Competency.

To obtain a certificate of completion for EIT’s Professional Certificate of Competency, students must achieve a 65% attendance rate at live, online fortnightly webinars. Detailed summaries/notes can be submitted in lieu of attendance. In addition, students must obtain a mark of 60% in the set assignments which could take the form of written assignments and practical assignments. Students must also obtain a mark of 100% in quizzes. If a student does not achieve the required score, they will be given an opportunity to resubmit the assignment to obtain the required score.

Additional Credit

Upon successful completion of this Professional Certificate of Competency:

• If you apply and are accepted into EIT’s Bachelor of Science (Mechanical Engineering) you will obtain credit for the BME206 Hydraulics and Pneumatics unit.
• If you apply and are accepted into EIT’s 52884WA Advanced Diploma of Mechanical Engineering Technology you can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning towards these two modules: Hydraulics (DMEHYD609) and Pneumatics (DMEPNE610).

For full current fees in your country go to the drop down filter at the top of this page or visit the Fees page.

Payment Methods

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Our courses are delivered by experienced engineers and technical experts from around the world. Many have tackled real-world engineering challenges and bring practical, applied knowledge directly into the classroom.

We draw from a global pool of instructors and lecturers across our organisation. Explore our full team of expert educators on the Instructors & Lecturers page here.

Please note: Not all lecturers and instructors listed on this page will teach every course. The team teaching your course will be confirmed as part of your course enrolment.

This course may use the following software:

• Automation Studio

Due to ongoing unit and course reviews, software may change from the list provided. Learn more about the Practical Learning at EIT here

You are expected to spend approximately 5-8 hours per week learning the course content. This includes attending weekly webinars that run for about 90 minutes to facilitate class discussion and allow you to ask questions. This program has a 65% attendance requirement in the live webinars in order to graduate from the program.  If you are unable to attend the live webinars, you have the option of watching the recording of completed webinars and sending a summary of what you have learnt from the webinar to the Learning Support officer.  The summaries go towards your attendance requirement for the program.

This program is run online on an intensive part-time basis and has been designed to fit around full-time work. It will take three months to complete.

We understand that sometimes work commitments and personal circumstances can get in the way of your studies, so if at any point you feel that you are struggling with the pace of the course or finding a particular module challenging, you are encouraged to contact your designated Learning Support Officer for assistance.

Please ensure you book your place at least one week before the course start date.

If the course is not currently scheduled, please contact us. We can let you know when it will be offered next, or explore the possibility of creating a special intake if there is a group.