Lesson Structure:  Mechanics Online Course  BBS102

There are 9 lessons:

1. Introduction to Engines and Motors
   • Introduction
   • Power Sources
   • Engines
   • Steam Engine
   • Petrol
   • Engine Operating Cycle
   • Engine parts
   • Four stroke Ignition Engine Cycle
   • Two Stroke Ignition Engine Cycle
   • Electric motors
   • Parts of an electric motor
   • AC and DC motors
   • Induction and Synchronous motors
   • Applied tasks – Changing a wheel, Mending a puncture
2. Engine Characteristics
   • Measurements and mechanical principles
   • Force, Load, Pressure
   • Atmospheric pressure, Absolute pressure
   • Force of gravity, Centre of gravity, Specific gravity
   • Density, Vacuum, Volumetric efficiency
   • Work, Power, Energy
   • Pistons – motion, bore, piston displacement
   • Compression ratio
   • Engine efficiency
   • Features of electric motors
   • Applied tasks – spark plugs
3. Machines and their parts
   • Parts of a machine
   • Engine systems
   • Lubrication system
   • Cooling system
   • Fuel system
   • Transmission -gearbox, clutch, transmission, drive shaft, PTO
   • Power source
   • Ignition system – distributor, Coil pack
   • Other machines
4. Drive Mechanisms -Transmissions, Gears, Belts
   • Introduction
   • Cog drive machinery
   • Belt drive machinery
   • Transmission drive machinery
   • The transmission system
   • Clutch
   • Gearbox
   • Differential unit
   • Applied tasks – replacing drive belts
5. Managing Deterioration
   • Splash feed lubrication system
   • Pressure system
   • Combination pressure and splash
   • Oil contamination
   • Cooling system – air cooling, water cooling
   • Lubrication – oil viscosity
   • Types of filter systems
   • Materials deterioration
   • Properties of materials – metals, non ferrous alloys
   • Seals
   • Applied tasks: servicing filters
6. Optimising Function and Longevity
   • Adjustments
   • Controlling power
   • Carburettors – float system, number of barrels, injectors
   • Lubrication
   • Exhaust systems
   • Catalytic converter
   • Muffler
   • Extractor
   • Turbocharger
   • Intercooling, waste gate, blow off valves, twin vs single turbo, boost controller
   • Superchargers
   • Applied tasks – servicing a carburettor
7. Brake Systems
   • Introduction
   • Drum versus disc brake
   • Drum brakes and shoe pad
   • Disc brakes
   • Pneumatic, Hydraulic and Electric Brakes
   • ABS – Anti lock brake system
   • Regenerative braking
   • Applied tasks – servicing brakes
   • Jacking up a vehicle
   • Changing disc brakes
   • Changing drum brakes
   • Motor bike and push bike brakes
8. The Mechanics Workshop
   • Tool maintenance
   • Work bench
   • Vices and clamps
   • Lifts, ramps, jacks, ladders
   • Tightening pullers
   • Pulleys
   • Winches
   • Generators, battery chargers
   • Cleaning equipment
   • Grinders, sharpening equipment
   • Work pits, hoists
   • Measuring equipment
   • Hand tools
   • Spanners and Allen keys
   • Pliers & grips
   • Screwdrivers
   • Files
   • Cutting equipment
   • Hammers, chisels, punches
   • Tap and die cutters
   • Lubrication equipment
   • Power tools – Drills, saws
   • Soldering and welding
9. Maintenance and Repair
   • Introduction to maintenance
   • Servicing a typical motor car
   • Changing spark plugs
   • Inspect coolant levels
   • Inspect tyre pressure
   • Change fuel filter
   • Brakes and brake fluid
   • Wheel alignment
   • Power steering fluid
   • Electrics
   • Servicing Garden Equipment
   • Oil & Dirty Spark Plugs
   • Mowers
   • Chainsaws
   • Outdoor Electric Machines
   • Treating Rust
   • Painting Metal

Please Note:  Each lesson requires the completion of an assignment submitted to your Tutor for marking and returned with a grade and any relevant suggestions, comments, and extra reading where required.

Learning Goals:  Mechanics

• Explain how different types of engines and motors work.
• Describe the features that differentiate the quality and work capacity of engines; one from another.
• Describe the scope and nature of components of a machine.
• Explain different ways of converting the movement of energy to perform useful work tasks.
• Describe how machinery can deteriorate over time, and responses to both prevent and repair deterioration.
• Explain how engines and motors have their power output regulated.
• Explain the mechanisms used to slow or stop any form of motion by applying force.
• Describe machinery workshop tools and equipment, and explain their safe and appropriate use in maintaining and repairing machinery.

Movement – Created by Moving Parts

Motors or engines are the core of any machine, taking a source of energy and converting it into movement, but a useful machine then needs some way of taking that movement and transferring it into something useful.

The movement created by an engine is typically a spinning shaft (or cylinder) which can then be connected to the machinery it drives either directly, with cogs, by gears or by drive belts.

• An example of direct drive may be a kitchen appliance such as a food blender where the drive shaft of an electric motor has mixing or cutting blades able to be simply attached.
• An example of a cog drive would involve teeth along the length or at the end of the drive shaft. As those teeth spin, they would move teeth on one or more other wheels or shafts causing them to spin.
• An example of a drive belt would be an alternator in a car. This is a very common design in cars; the alternator is the main power source and begins spinning when the car starts. This has several components that are driven from the alternator via a belt, e.g. the water pump, power steering and air conditioning. 
• An example of gears could be a transmission system, these have numerous cogs and shafts that rotate together to facilitate power transfer from an engine to the wheels or other component used to spin.

Each of these drive mechanisms has advantages and disadvantages. Simpler systems have fewer things that can go wrong and are cheaper to create, but are more limiting in how they may be used.

Cog Drive Machinery

There are many products that utilise cogs to drive machinery, usually starting with a motor, the motor will have a shaft that comes out the end and will spin in one or either direction with a cog attached which is circular and has equal sized groves(teeth) cut in all around the edge, these are usually attached to other cogs with teeth that interconnect and fit so that one cog can turn the other,

Note: if one cogs spins left, the attached cog will turn right, and visa-versa.

 The engine/motor cog is the primary driving cog and when connected to other cogs can increase or decrease the revolutions and ratios or other cogs that are attached, you can find these on analogue clocks or watches, cars, bikes, food processors even an egg whisk uses gears.

They are designed and used to take a small amount of power and turn that into something with greater power, faster speed or change direction of a turning component.

Gears and cog drive machinery acts much the same way as leverage and levers, by using least amount of energy/power and converting that into something that can be move powerful and create more force or energy with the same amount of effort.

The trade of with cog gears is that if your application gears are designed for more speed then less force is produced, and vice versa, if the gears are designed to give more force then less speed is produced.

There are five main types of gear application that can be applied with cogs:

1. Gears for speed
2. Gears for force
3. Worm gears
4. Rack and pinion gears
5. Sun and planet gears…

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.