Tech-level in Engineering – Scheme of Work AQA Level 3 Technical Level Engineering: Mechatronic Engineering Unit Name: Programming for Engineers Unit type: Centre assessed and externally quality assured Guided Learning hours: 90 Guidance Notes: This Scheme of Work (SOW) illustrates how the unit content could be delivered using a three term, 10 weeks per term, approach. Consideration should be given to the content in other units within this qualification when planning your unit and lessons – the content in some units, for example, would benefit from being covered prior to others – especially the knowledge and theory elements contained within the externally assessed units. Within this unit, learners will be presented with the opportunity to successfully evidence the transferable skills of Research (unit grading criteria P1) to the required standard in order to achieve the qualification. The required standards and associated recording documentation for all transferable skills covered within this qualification can be found at: It is important that sufficient time is spent developing this skill, and that teachers familiarise themselves with the AQA Technical Level standard for team working. See Appendix A of the specification for more information about transferable skills. This unit would logically be taught after units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 (or concurrently with units 3 and 7) and there are opportunities for learners to demonstrate synoptic knowledge and learning from those other units in their evidence for this unit. The assessment amplification section within the unit in the specification identifies where the centre should consider opportunities for synoptic learning and assessment.
2 PLCs in a contemporary context (PO1) Basic operation of a PLC (PO3) Producing computer programs (PO4) Advantages and disadvantages Applications Hardware Safe Use Maintenance Programming Testing Storage Visit to a manufacturer of engineered products that uses PLCs in a variety of different applications. This could be, for example, a manufacturer of robotic systems or a supplier to the automotive or aerospace industries. Areas that could be seen or discussed during the visit include: • Applications: how they use PLCs and why they are used, relative to non-plc methods. • Types of hardware used and the devices controlled. • Safety considerations. • Preventative and routine maintenance of PLCs. • Programming the PLC. • Testing and simulation of programs. • Storing PLC programs. Evaluation of the questions asked by the learners Context will be determined by the company visited; it is recommended that this is a company that products in volume Speaking and listening skills used to question and interact with the personnel from the company This could include reference to or quantification of advantages and disadvantages if using PLCs. This could support or benefit from PO2 in the Production and Manufacturing unit.
9 PLCs in a contemporary context (PO1) Advantages and disadvantages Applications Hardware Continuation of the mini-project. The pairs could extend their investigation to identify, for their application, the specific advantages of using PLCs compared to the alternative (non- PLC) methods of control and the current limitations of using PLCs. They could create a presentation describing their identified application. Each pair could then present their application to the group. The group could discuss the different applications and create a consolidated list of the different devices that the PLC can control. Presentations in the mini- project. The engineering context will be determined by the brief provided for the mini- project – this will depend upon the resources available to the centre and activities of local companies. Written and verbal skills used in the The advantages and disadvantages could be quantified. This could support or benefit from Performance Outcome 2 in the Production and Manufacturing unit.