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UWI TODAY
– SUNDAY 3 JUNE, 2018
ENGINEERING
Engineering the Future
Mechanical and manufacturing engineers
show off undergraduate projects at annual exhibition
PHOTOS: ANEEL KARIM
Froma vertical wind turbine
to a miniature controlled
atmosphere greenhouse, there was lots of applied
technologyondisplay at the recent annual exhibitionheld
by the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing
Engineering.
The exhibition, held on Wednesday May 23 at the
JFK Auditorium, showcased undergraduate final year
projects in a wide range of categories, and was the
companion outreach event to the Faculty’s conference
event held earlier that morning.
Among the exhibits was an electric Cadet-class
racing go-cart for the Caribbean region by Joshua
Deonarinesingh, who is completing a BSC degree in
Mechanical Engineering – Applied Mechanics. His go-
cart was an eye-catching cheerful bright yellow, and uses
increased electrical drive systems for a greener, more
eco-friendly go-cart.
“The Cadet class is an introductory class of go-cart
racing types used for leisure or competitive purposes,”
explained Deonarinesingh. “Currently there are no
electric models in T&T, but there are equivalent Cadet
class gas go-carts. I wanted to eliminate fossil fuel
burning and gas emissions while achieving comparable
performance with the gas go-carts. I completed the
project, but there are several initiatives that could be
implemented for a better project.”
Another interesting display was a range of hard
plastic objects all generated by 3Dprinters, an innovative
solution to parts requiring custom-made design or parts
no longer being manufactured and readily available.
These display objects included a model toy car, a
component for an older model of motorcycle, and a
very lifelike human skull. The technical term for this
manufacturing process is Additive Manufacturing: it
allows users to make three-dimensional objects from
computer-generated 3D models.
The UWI acquired a high-end Fused Deposition
Modelling (FDM) machine some years ago. The 3D
printer, a Fortus 400mc manufactured by Stratasys,
cost approximately TT$1.25 million and is a rapid
prototyping (RP) technology, meaning that it can
create 3D objects primarily for prototyping purposes.
Several students in the Manufacturing Engineering
department showed projects related to 3D printing,
including Dillon Chong who was testing a model of
a 3D printer. Meanwhile Arshad Mohammed, a PhD
student in Manufacturing, wants to research aspects of
traditional machining and 3D printing, saying: “There
are advantages and drawbacks to both; I want to look
at ways to combine them, to build on the strengths of
both of them.”
Some projects at the exhibition used easily available
local rawmaterials to create unique, fun local products,
such as the portable bamboo-framed kayak designed by
student Ispahari Hosein. The exterior casing could be
zipped over the bamboo frame and it looked extremely
light and portable.
Undergraduate student Lynessa Leonard decided
to modify and test an existing vibratory soil compactor
designed by Anika Taylor in 2015, to test the maximum
density of soils.Therewere several projects like thiswhich
took useful ideas frompast years and improved on them
or meticulously tested an aspect of them, demonstrating
the necessary ongoing experimental research involved
in developing or improving manufactured products.
Other interesting projects included: Modeling of
vibration transmission in offshore platforms using
statistical energy analysis; a solar-powered water
purification system; waste heat recovery in combustion
engines; a cocoa-picking rod; a miniature controlled
atmosphere greenhouse; and a cryogenic freezer for
food products. (SAA)
Dillon Chong stands beside his model of a 3D printer.
Joshua Deonarinesingh developed this electric go-cart.
Ispahari Hosein demonstrates his bamboo portable kayak.
Lynessa Leonard modified and tested this vibratory soil compactor.
A 3D printed skill at the recent Engineering Exhibition.
Oranges anyone? Visitors check out the mechanized orange peeler.
