Virtual Lathe - Sacred Heart College
Development
Most students already had a sound knowledge of microcontrollers as this had been taught since Level 1. Their challenge was to connect a PICAXE -28 microcontroller to a numeric keypad, and then to programme it to utilise a four digit pin number to trigger the locking device. Another design challenge was what to do in the event of a circuit malfunction. This section of the unit was used to work towards AS 90681 and Unit Standard 19747.
The students were next introduced to the metal lathe, with a brief look at the history and different parts of a lathe. They were also shown a number of video clips and PowerPoint presentations that Francois had downloaded from the internet through Yahoo Videos. These focussed mainly on the four processes: turning, facing, parting and drilling.
The Virtual Lathe software was one of the main attractions of this unit. Students were given the task of turning a set of "bullet hinges” on the simulation software, this exercise covering the four processes. The class then covered taper turning which they used in their design of a knob for the safe door.
The skills attained through this software were then put into practice on a real metal lathe, with the students fabricating what they had designed on the software.
As most of the students had no prior welding experience Francois decided to use 5mm steel plate and channel iron, as this is much easier for inexperienced welders to use. The students had to use the power saw to cut the materials into the required size, as specified by their clients.
Working on these advanced skills in Materials Technology enabled students to work on AS 90687.
