South Africa Grade 11 Mechanical Technology

This course focuses on concepts and principles within the mechanical environment and technological processes, emphasizing practical skills and the application of scientific principles. The curriculum is designed to prepare learners for careers in Fitting and Machining, Automotive, and Welding and Metalworking, and incorporates elements of entrepreneurship.

Generic Core:

• Safety: This component covers Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act regulations, basic first aid, HIV/AIDS awareness, and safe practices for various tools, machines, and equipment, including hand tools, power tools, lathes, milling machines, and welding equipment. Practical application of safety measures is emphasized.
• Tools and Equipment: Learners identify and explain the functions of various hand tools, measuring tools, and purpose-made tooling and equipment, including dial indicators, telescopic gauges, torque wrenches, stocks and dies, grinding machines, cutting machines, guillotines, and press machines. Practical experience with these tools is a key part of the curriculum.
• Materials: This section covers the characteristics, composition, and uses of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys, as well as thermoplastic and thermosetting composites. Learners distinguish between material properties such as hardness, plasticity, elasticity, ductility, malleability, brittleness, and toughness. Methods of enhancing the properties of steel, such as tempering, case hardening, hardening, annealing, and normalizing, are also explored.
• Forces: Learners study different types of forces (tensile, compressive, shearing), calculate force components, moments, and stress in various engineering components, and apply design principles to analyze the effects of forces, moments, and torques.
• Maintenance: This component covers the properties of lubricants, types of maintenance (preventive, predictive, reliability-centered), and the consequences of poor maintenance. Learners analyze causes of malfunction in various machines and systems.
• Joining Methods: Learners study and apply semi-permanent joining methods (bolts, studs, nuts, rivets, keys) and permanent joining methods (welding). Calculations related to drill and key sizes are also covered.
• Engines: Learners study the operating principles of two-stroke and four-stroke internal combustion engines, identify engine components, and compare conventional engine layouts.
• Systems and Control: This section covers mechanical systems (gears, belts, pulleys, chains, clutches, cams, levers), hydraulics and pneumatics, and basic electrical and electronic control systems. Learners perform calculations related to velocity, power, and torque.
• Pumps: Learners identify and describe the purpose, construction, and operating principles of various pumps, including mono pumps, centrifugal pumps, reciprocating pumps, and gear pumps.

Specializations:

• Fitting and Machining: This specialization focuses on lathe work (taper turning, screw cutting), milling machine operations (cutting keyways, indexing), and the use of specialized tools and equipment. Calculations related to lathe and milling operations are emphasized.
• Automotive: This specialization covers engine systems (CI engines, injectors, valve assemblies), final drives, drive systems, hydraulic brakes, axles, steering systems, suspension layouts, conventional ignition systems, starting circuits, and supplemental systems (traction control, airbag control). Practical experience with automotive systems is a key component.
• Welding and Metalwork: This specialization covers welding terminology, symbols, joints, developments, the use of templates, roof truss calculations, and the principles and functions of welding equipment. Learners apply various welding processes (gas, arc, MIG) and analyze welding defects.

Assessment:

The curriculum includes both informal (formative) and formal (summative) assessments. Formal assessments include tests, a mid-year exam, a Practical Assessment Task (PAT), and a final exam. The PAT accounts for 25% of the final mark and focuses on practical skills development. The final exam accounts for 50% of the final mark and covers the theoretical content of the course.