Pneumatic Automation in Modern Industrialisation: Curriculum Innovation and Skills Alignment in Mechanical Engineering Education

Abstract

Pneumatic automation has become a crucial component in modern industrialization, offering a reliable and efficient means of controlling and automating various industrial processes. Being akin to mechanical engineering education in universities, one expects its full inclusion into the curriculum of such universities. However, a study conducted by this paper showed that the best universities for Mechanical Engineering in Nigeria teach Fluid/Applied Fluid Mechanics but not Pneumatics as a core course. This paper not only explores the fundamentals of pneumatic systems, their circuits and applications, but also the advantages and benefits of Pneumatic Automation in modern industrial development for sustainability. The paper calls for the proper inclusion of pneumatic studies in the curriculum of mechanical engineering education. The curriculum of a total number of 68 best universities that offer Mechanical Engineering in Nigeria, as listed by EduRank, was fairly looked into to find if they included pneumatic study as a core course. However, there was no specific indication of pneumatics as a core course in all the listed universities; rather, allied courses like Fluid and Applied Fluid mechanics were taught to students. Undoubtedly, while Fluid Mechanics and Pneumatics complement each other, Fluid/Applied Fluid Mechanics deal with fluid fundamental principles like fluid dynamics, hydraulic systems, turbo-machinery as in fluid power systems, Pneumatic study specifically focuses on the use of compressed air to transmit power, which includes design and control of pneumatic systems and components, circuits and system analysis. Pneumatic applications are typically used in industrial automation, robotics, process control and mechatronics. So by implication, as long as air is being used as a medium for transmission of power in industries, acquisition of pneumatic knowledge and skills remains the bedrock for efficient operation, proper maintenance and sustainability of such industries. Pneumatic courses and skills prepare mechanical engineers for industries like manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace, where pneumatic systems are widely used and, as such, deserve adequate inclusion in the mechanical engineering curriculum.