Internet access to a fluid power mechatronics laboratory

Educational courses in system dynamics need physical experiments to realistically represent behaviors of mechatronic systems to students. This paper describes how experiments in fluid power for motion control can be provided over the Internet. A hydraulic system was chosen because this important example is absent from hands on experiments in traditional laboratories. Internet access allows the equipment to be fully utilized without the expense, hazards or scheduling conflicts otherwise encountered. The system and its software are described and representative results from experiments are shown.