UKZN Mechanical Engineering Open Day to showcase innovative student engineering

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is gearing up for its annual Mechanical Engineering Open Day.

Date: Friday, 19 October 2018Time: 12pm-4pmVenue: Unite School of Engineering building, Howard College Campus, UKZN

Entry to venue: Gate 8, off Rick Turner Rd. Thereafter, take first right turn and drive straight to the Unite School of Engineering parking lot.

Free admission and open to the public.

Final-year Mechanical Engineering students are preparing to unveil their innovative engineering projects to the public, parents, sponsors, evaluators, and the media.

Some of the unique projects on display will include the design of an archery device for use by quadriplegic athletes, a device that creates the illusion of fruit growing on trees, and an electric transporter, powered by solar energy.

The projects, which are part of the degree requirements of the final-year Design and Research Project modules, have applications for the agricultural, sanitation, construction, airline, search and rescue, manufacturing, and transport sectors.

The process of completing these design projects simulates a professional working environment in which students have to apply the engineering knowledge gained during their studies to achieve specified project objectives, while keeping within predetermined budgets. The technology demonstration prototypes they produce within a nine-month period incorporates a wide variety of engineering sub-disciplines; including vehicle design (electric, air, land, water), green energy technologies, renewable energy harvesting systems and industrial machines.

Assessment of the projects is structured in accordance with the engineering outcomes required by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

Academic Leader for Mechanical Engineering at UKZN, Professor Glen Bright, says the focus of the open day is to highlight the hard work and technical achievements of the final-year students. "We want the public to experience and interact with these engineering projects," said Professor Bright.

In addition, some previous-year design projects will be on display, with staff and students on hand to take the public for a ride on the UKZN pedal bus, electric trikes and the rally car simulator. There will also be technology demonstrations throughout the day, including the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a mobile robotic display.

Kindly send media RSVPs to Sejal Desai: [email protected]

Highlights of the final year engineering design projects on display:

* Quadriplegic Unassisted Archery Device (QUAD)

Currently, there is no quadriplegic division within Para-archery. Students are hopeful that the creation of this device will lead to the development of a new Para-archery division in Paralympics.

The device allows a person of quadriplegic disability to draw, aim and fire a compound bow; while mimicking and simulating the experience of an able-bodied archer as closely as possible. An automatic arrow reloading mechanism was also designed so that the athlete can operate the device independently. The students aim to present their design to the World Archery Board to have it considered for use in Paralympics.

Designed by students: Matt Harcus, Michaela Geytenbeek, Tyrone Bright and Lindelwa Dlamini

* Play (Creating the illusion of fruit growing on trees)

Inspired by Enid Blyton's fairytale book, The Faraway Tree, the aim of this project was to replicate the faraway tree through means of modern engineering, on an existing tree in the Durban Botanic Gardens. This project demonstrates how engineering and technology are able to interact with nature in order to enhance the aesthetic value of the environment and the lives of Durban citizens.

The students have produced a semi-autonomous 3D printing and distributing system that can be mounted within a weather-proof housing onto a tree. The device will print fruit made from Poly Lactic Acid (PLA). At a certain point during printing, a metal ball will be inserted within the fruit from a ball release mechanism positioned on the printer. A hanging conveyor system comprising fishing line, support pulleys and magnets will then collect the fruit and then carousel it around the tree. This will provide an illusion that the tree is growing the fruit.

Designed by students: Saihil Singhai, Yuvera Chinsamy, Sameer Bissessur and Lindokuuhle Maphanga

* ITS Intergrated Urban Electric Transporter

This urban electric transporter, aligned with UKZN's vision of the "African City of the Future", presents a "smart vehicle" concept of an intelligent transport system equipped with vehicle-to-vehicle technology (providing drivers with safety information regarding possible road accidents, traffic congestion and defective traffic lights). A newly designed solar powered station will charge the electric transporter with energy that is off the grid. The vehicle was modified to have an improved suspension and powertrain system for enhanced driving experience and vehicle performance.

Designed by students: Dalisu Duma, Javed Suliman, Karshvira Visvanathan and Tivendren Govender

* Autonomous Mobile Security Robot

A low-cost autonomous mobile security robot, designed and manufactured to be used in a factory floor or warehouse setting, with the focus being on surveillance.

Through the design of an autonomous navigation system, wireless communication network and visual intruder detection, it was possible to put together a working prototype design.

Designed by students: Curtley Brandon Govender, Deandra Maxine Joseph, Sakiseni Nzuza and Simeon Roach

* Flying Hovercraft

The purpose of this research and development project was to design a multipurpose hovercraft with the ability to fly over obstacles.

The concept features a hovercraft with small aspect ratio wings, which take advantage of the ground effect phenomenon for efficient low altitude flight. The hovercraft also includes a remote-controlled steering system for testing purposes.

Designed by students: Ingrid Botha, Kampamba Chanda, Reece Jhugroo and Clinton Naicker

* Vintage Off-Road Rally Vehicle

The aim of this project was to explore the conversion of an old, retired 1968 VW Beetle to an off-road rally vehicle. The vehicle is intended to be an economical version of an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) that repurposes old, road-unworthy vehicles that are in a 'scrap' conditions.

Designed by students: Mishkar Bhana, Tristan Chanderdeo, Nhlakanipho Perfect Ndlovu Ryan Somai

* Trike Electric Commuter

The main objective of this project was to design and construct a three-wheeled, electrically powered vehicle that could be used for daily commutes and also matched up to the South African roadworthiness standards.

The two-seater vehicle has minimal environmental impact and is also capable of providing sprightly performance with a top speed of over 100km/h.

Designed by students: Jared Theophilus John, Preshanthan Naidoo, Shiven Nayager, Ashay Singh and Emma Stubbs

* Forced Convection Solar Dryer with a Preheater

Students designed and manufactured a solar dryer that is purposed to dry synthetic faecal sludge. This project aims to develop a solution to the major challenges involving water and sanitation that many rural communities are currently facing, and the success of this project will provide a cost-effective faecal sludge sanitation system for these rural communities.

Designed by students: Travis Swanepoel, Celine Singh, Similo Ngubane and Muhammed Mulla

* Solar Energy Desalination Plant

Students were tasked to design and manufacture a prototype of a small-scale solar desalination plant that will produce 5 litres of water a day for domestic use.

The design route taken by the students was to create an efficient and cost-effective design that can be implemented on a larger scale.

Bilal Cassim, Aamir Goga and Adir Ramnarayan