TechnoLab™ Features:

 

Innovations and distinguishing attributes include:

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• the hardware of the system is easy to assemble and portable (Aluminium Case, Satchel)

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• it does not require special facilities (eg laboratory space) or instrumentation

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• the system incorporates a Pixi Frame™ (Pixi) that is approx. A3 in size that can accommodate a large number of experiment kits specifically designed for it by the developer, Nicholas Haritos – a retired long serving academic with over 40 years of teaching experience in the fundamental engineering material that this system treats

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• it is marketed in terms of a bundled set of supported experiments - typically 12 Pixi/Window Frames with a chosen set of experiment kits from the available list to suit the teaching subject it is meant to support which is suited to a class of 24 students so students work in pairs to perform experiments and thereby gain a true “hands-on” learning experience – not merely a demonstration. (Note: TechnoLab™ provides a 13th set of hardware for the Tutor/Demonstrator of the class as a “bonus” when the system is purchased as a bundle in this way).

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• experiment kits that the Pixi Frames™ support are focused on the particular lesson(s) associated with the topic being treated in an easy to observe and revealing approach (eg deflections/ deformations of members/elements in the experiment under investigation are exaggerated to be clearly visible and recorded on a Window Frame (window) that accompanies the Pixi Frame™   or   compared against predicted results on a notebook computer screen (screen); digital scales are used to measure reaction forces (Scales); a mechanical spring force transducer (force) or load buckets using accurate ball-bearing weights or a variable assembly of screw-on disk weights directly onto the specimen under test or via a string-and-pulley arrangement (load)

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• should additional accuracy beyond that achieved by the use of digital calipers (supplied) or reading directly off the graticule on the Window Frame, be desirable, the system offers “xyRectify” digital photogrammetric software (xyRectify) that allows rectification of digital images taken by digital cameras (phone cameras can be used), to obtain co-ordinates of desired points/features of test specimens to typically a 0.1 mm or better accuracy – camera resolution dependent (xyRectify-image)

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• the TechnoLab™  system offers a large number of experiment kit options, fully supported by the developer with material including: experiment description sheets; pro-forma reporting sheets; support Excel spreadsheets and software that is experiment dependent; tutor support material (Tutor_kit)

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• the system is versatile and easily expandable to accommodate new experiment kits that are continuing to be developed (expt_list)

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• It offers experiments that other suppliers of test equipment for Statics, Mechanics and Dynamics currently do not, (eg: Equilibrium of a 2D rigid body subjected point forces and a couple; Bifurcation of column buckling with sway)

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• the large range of test specimen/test parameter combinations (specimens) available to the majority of experiment kits that TechnoLab™ supports, (for example a number of material types: timber, steel, aluminium, polycarbonate, perspex, carbon-fibre and copper with several cross-section combinations (not across all material types) of:  rectangular, square – solid and hollow, circular – solid and hollow) reduces/eliminates opportunities for plagiarism in experiment reporting by students

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• the system offers distance learning opportunities. (closed_case)

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• it is affordable to tertiary institutions throughout the world  despite the rather “tight” current financial climate (contact Strucomp P/L for a quotation)

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