SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Design integrated electro-pneumatic systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244700  Design integrated electro-pneumatic systems 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Manufacturing and Assembly Processes 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The skills, values and knowledge reflected in this unit standard are required by people in the field of fluid power engineering who are required to design, install, commission and repair machines where pneumatic, electronic and information technologies are combined into an integrated system. This includes a command of the underlying mechatronic systems-thinking, the creation of schematics and component selection. The learning outcomes in this unit standard also contribute to the exit level outcomes required for the fluid power NQF Level 5 qualification.

Persons credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of integrated electro-pneumatic systems.
  • Determine resources for system requirements.
  • Analyse safety aspects of various electro-pneumatic applications.
  • Design electro-pneumatic systems.
  • Develop control logic to run the application.
  • Select and configure a communication system. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that a person is already competent in terms of the following outcomes when starting to learn toward this unit standard:
  • Read and interpret engineering drawings at NQF Level 3.
  • Install and program basic programmable logic controllers at NQF Level 3.
  • Install, test, maintain and commission basic electrical circuits at NQF Level 4.
  • Conduct advanced pneumatic and electro-pneumatic design at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The following scope and context applies to the whole unit standard:
  • Mechatronic systems include pneumatic, mechanical, electrical and electronic.
  • Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of integrated electro-pneumatic systems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Systems include assembly, distribution, sorting, testing, processing, storage and robotic applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Actuators, valves, sensors and controllers are described in terms of their functions in an integrated system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Material flow is described in terms of pneumatic system operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Signals and data transfer are described in relation to their function in the system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Activities are analysed in relation to sequential logic operations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Determine resources for system requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Airflow for various components is calculated according to system requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Controllers are selected according to the input and output requirements for the operating conditions and application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Electrical power requirements are determined in accordance with power consumption of all the components. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Actuator type and size are determined in accordance with force and speed requirements of the application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Sensors selected are suited to the operating conditions and application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Valves are selected to suit the flow requirements and control philosophy of the application. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Analyse safety aspects of various electro-pneumatic applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Consequences of equipment failure are described for given applications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Potential failure in various applications are described in relation to the scenario. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Failures include power failure, pressure loss and equipment failure.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Reasons for inclusion of safety specific components in the electro-pneumatic system are explained in relation to the consequences of omission. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The impact of Health and Safety requirements are described in terms of the design of the system for a given application. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Design electro-pneumatic systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Time and motion diagrams are drawn up and explained in relation to given requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Potential design limitations are identified and explained in accordance with the application requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Limitations include motion, force, space, pressure and commercial.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The pressure and flow cycle for components are drawn up and explained in relation to the operating sequence of the application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The electro-pneumatic circuit diagram is drawn up and explained in terms of the application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The design is completed and documented in accordance with workplace and industry standards. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Develop control logic to run the application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The sequence of operation is represented diagramatically in accordance with the application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Labelling of diagrams is consistent and in accordance with workplace requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The links between the logic diagram, circuit diagram and the application are explained in accordance with their functionality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Components are programmed to perform the required tasks at the appropriate time. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Components include but are not limited to programmable logic controllers.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Select and configure a communication system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Communication systems include but are not limited to field-bus systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Communication protocols selected are appropriate for the application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Valve banks are set up in accordance with the selected protocol. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Valves and input devices are labelled in accordance with workplace requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The system is configured in accordance with manufacturer specifications. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.

    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • Understanding and interpreting application requirements.
  • Methods of using the information to produce an operational electro-pneumatic system design.
  • Electro-pneumatic system design.
  • Applying formulae in designing an electro-pneumatic system.
  • Integration of computerised communication with electro-pneumatic systems.
  • System logic programming. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.

    Note:
  • The ability of the candidate to design an electro-pneumatic system from information received. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.

    Note:
  • The ability of the candidate to participate as a member of the design team. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note:
  • The ability of the candidate to achieve an operational electro-pneumatic design. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Note:
  • The ability of the candidate to select appropriate components for designing a functional integrated electro-pneumatic system. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.

    Note:
  • The ability of the candidate to communicate system information. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

    Note:
  • The ability of the candidate to design an operational electro-pneumatic system taking all relevant environmental factors and safety into account. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Note:
  • The ability of the candidate to integrate the various inputs into an operational system. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Notes to Assessors:

    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.

    All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58883   National Certificate: Fluid Power  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MERSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.