Portable Micro-Excavator Provides a Powerful New Teaching Tool at CCEFP

The Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (CCEFP) is a network of researchers, educators, students and industries working together to transform the fluid power industry — how it is researched, applied and studied. CCEFP is finding new and innovative ways to teach the next generation of fluid power experts. One of the center’s new projects includes a micro-excavator powered by either water hydraulics or pneumatics, and it’s small enough to fit in a hand-carried storage bin, providing an exciting new platform for increasing understandings of the importance of fluid power.

This innovative learning resource is well-suited for a variety of audiences — in classrooms, museums and even construction-minded career schools. As one of the CCEFP’s education and outreach projects, the micro-excavator was built and developed under the direction of Professor John Lumkes at Purdue University. His project team has included a number of his engineering undergraduate and graduate students, including: Jose Garcia, now a professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology; high school teachers in Project Lead The Way; and the staff of the Science Museum of Minnesota. The National Fluid Power Association assisted the CCEFP in providing financial support.  

“Based on our extensive field tests with students in and out of school settings, we know that the micro-excavator is an effective hands-on teaching tool that makes it fun to learn about engineering principles while seeing first-hand how fluid power technology works,” reports Professor Lumkes. The accompanying curriculum guide lays out effective strategies for maximizing the teaching power of the micro-excavator. Teachers involved in the project have assured that this curriculum correlates with education standards and outcomes.

Fortunately, it’s easily replicated, too. A complete, working micro-excavator, either water hydraulics or pneumatics, can be built and readied for classrooms and hands-on displays for approximately $800. The kit includes a water pump, necessary power supplies, hardware (nuts, bolts, etc.), cylinders, valves, tubing, fittings, an excavator arm and a storage case. No special assembly tools are needed; the demonstrator is built using common shop tools (wrenches, screwdrivers, hacksaw and drill). A construction manual, bill of materials and curriculum guide for students in grades 8-12 are all posted at the CCEFP website at www.ccefp.org.