Judging for the PneuDrive Challenge 2012 Engineering Design Competition has come to an end and the dominance that Stellenbosch University has displayed over the last four years was broken by an innovative and ground-breaking design from the Tshwane University of Technology. As in previous years, the judging panel was made up of specialists with a wide range of business and engineering experience. After two days of intensive judging, they concluded that Tshwane University of Technology’s Gel Seed Planter was the winning design.
Students Mias Swanepoel, Byron Nielson, JP Joubert and Gerrit Botha highlighted the reality of hunger in the world. Their research into the area of plant yields revealed that significant improvements could be made in the areas of seed propagation and planting. They designed a high-speed, automated seeding machine to improve the process of preparing seeds for planting. By reducing the costs associated with seeding and improving the productivity and planting efficiency of greenhouse farms, food production can be increased at a lower cost.
The winners (l to r) Mias Swanepoel, Byron Nielson, JP Joubert, Gerrit Botha and lecturer Johan Benade.
When asked about some of their learning experiences during the competition, the team expressed that one of the most interesting things they learnt was how versatile drive and pneumatic technology actually is in the real world. The vast range of components that are available was also an eye-opener.
Another learning area was the critical importance of project management, something that is not taught until much later in one’s career. Being able to experience difficult project issues in a safe environment is invaluable to both the students who participated in this year’s competition as well as the businesses that will take on these students in the future.
The team from TUT have received a 10-day all expenses paid trip to Germany, during which they will get an opportunity to present their design at the head offices of SEW-Eurodrive and Festo, another valuable learning experience. The commitment of the sponsors to partnering with learning institutions is further reflected in the fact that the winning university received R100 000 worth of drive and pneumatic products, while each participating university is offered R40 000 worth of sponsor products for completing the competition.
Rene Rose, general manager communications at SEW-Eurodrive: “This competition is the perfect platform to bring academic theory and business reality closer together. We are proud to be part of this initiative designed to raise the competency and innovation of South African engineering students. The practical experience that the PneuDrive Challenge offers gives students business and engineering experience that goes way beyond typical lecture room experiences.”
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