I can size a fluid-power cylinder and design a controlled test to verify its performance.
POE Unit 3 • Lesson 3.13
Fluid Power Design Lab
Focus question: How can engineers size and test a fluid actuator that meets a force requirement with an appropriate safety margin?
Mission Briefing
Today’s Plan
A focused sequence that advances the rover and VEX ground-support mission.
Opening promptConcept modelGuided practiceInteractive applicationEvidence checkExit ticket
Lesson Targets
What You Will Be Able to Do
Cylinder sizing and test plan
The design meets required force, uses a justified safety margin, and includes a safe pressure-limited test.
Activity Flow
How the Lesson Moves
Each step builds the control-systems reasoning needed for today’s deliverable.
1. Size the actuator
Calculate force for available pressure and cylinder options.
2. Plan the circuit
Identify source, control valve, actuator, tubing, and relief or limit.
3. Verify safely
Increase load gradually and compare measured force with prediction.
Lesson Interactive
Cylinder sizing and test plan Practice
Apply the lesson concept to an aerospace rover or VEX ground-support scenario. Use the feedback to correct reasoning before documenting the main deliverable.
Design Requirement
Lift load: 350 N. Available pressure: 300 kPa. Ignore friction for this first sizing check.
| Cylinder Diameter | Ideal Force |
|---|---|
| 20 mm | 94 N |
| 32 mm | 241 N |
| 40 mm | 377 N |
| 50 mm | 589 N |
Select and Verify
Ideal force establishes feasibility; margins and controlled testing establish a defensible design.
Today’s Work
Main Deliverable
Fluid-Power Actuator Plan
Create one focused engineering artifact that demonstrates today’s learning.
- Select a cylinder and operating pressure that meet the force requirement with a stated margin.
- Create a safe test procedure with pressure limit, exclusion zone, stop rule, and recorded measurements.
Exit Ticket
Mission Debrief
State one control-systems or automation idea from today in your own words.
Name one measurement, calculation, trace, or test result that supports your design decision.
Identify one interface, logic, safety, or reliability risk to carry into the next lesson.
Resources
Lesson Resources
Lesson 3.13 PowerPoint
Use the presentation to review the lesson concepts, examples, and activity directions.
Principles of Engineering
Return to the POE course hub for units, resources, certifications, and course information.
Rover Mission + VEX Ground Support System
Use the integrated mission context when connecting logic, sensing, actuation, testing, and design-review evidence.