Third year students of Mechanical Engineering displayed an array of impressive projects at the annual Graduate Exhibition recently.
Automatic feeders for livestock, a clam grading system and a racing car were amongst the projects which the students designed and built in teams for their end of year project.
Mechanical engineers can work in a range of roles including research, design, project management, technical sales, computer-aided engineering, process control, manufacturing engineering, aeronautics, materials engineering and product development.
Head of School of Engineering, Shane Fanning, said that a mechanical engineering degree is a very broad qualification that allows graduates to diversify as their interests and the economy change; “Mechanical engineering is one of the largest and oldest of the engineering disciplines, he said. “Mechanical engineers design the tools and processes that make every tangible product, including everything from a can opener to a car or an aeroplane. Our degree in Mechanical Engineering provides great flexibility and scope for students and is accredited with Associate Membership of Engineers in Ireland; possible career paths are varied and will largely be determined by the interests of the students themselves.”
For instance, he said, Mechanical Engineers are working at the centre of the energy industry. “There are opportunities for engineers in the growing green energy industry, whether that’s in the development of products that will allow us to access energy from renewable sources or in the creation of new, more durable materials,” he said.
In a survey conducted by Engineers Ireland recently of their members, almost 80 per cent of respondents said that they are satisfied with engineering as their choice of careers. Director General of Engineers Ireland, John Power, said that this indicates the durability and flexibility offered by an engineering qualification. “These are patently tough economic times for everyone but a career in engineering provides both diversity and opportunity,” he said.
Students can study Mechanical Engineering at IT Sligo through a range of flexible learning methods. To find out more see www.itsligo.ie.
STUDENT PROFILES
Karen Barrett, Belmullet, Co Mayo
As energy prices soar and more and more people consider renewable energy options, Mayo woman Karen Barrett from Belmullet, Co Mayo a third year Mechanical Engineering student at IT Sligo, chose a timely theme when picking her end of year project.
Karen (29) and three fellow students built a wind generator which will now be used as a research and teaching aid at the Institute. Karen, who worked as an office administrator before deciding to follow her heart and enrol on IT Sligo’s Mechanical Engineering programme as a mature student, has had no regrets.
“I am interested in design and this project was a real challenge,” said Karen, who used copper coils and rare earth magnets to build the generator.
Karen’s project was on display at the Institute at the annual end of year Graduate Exhibition recently. She’s hoping that the practical experience the course has provided will be useful in the workplace “All the other members of my family have had to emigrate to Canada and Australia, so I’d like to stay in Ireland and there is work out there”.
Having given up a regular wage packet to become a student she is torn about whether to pursue her studies and get an honours degree or start applying for jobs immediately she has third year and an ordinary degree under her belt. “Of course I also have the option of doing level 8 (honours degree) at IT Sligo as an online student and I could work at the same time,” she said.
Sligo students design innovative ‘Clam Grader’
Sligo student Jonathan Kelly came up with a winner when he and three fellow IT Sligo students recently designed a grading machine which will reduce labour and increase productivity for local shell fish farmers.
As part of their end of year project, Mechanical Engineering student Jonathan from Ballintrillick Co Sligo and his teammates, Gavin Kee and Malcolm Kee from Grange, Co Sligo, took on the challenge of helping clam fish farmers who have to manually separate shellfish, according to the their size. “If you don’t separate them the large ones take all the food and the small ones die,” explained Jonathan.
The students developed a grading machine made out of stainless steel, which is highly corrosion- resistant. As well as sorting the shellfish their creation also washes them. “We designed the product for Coney Island Shellfish who are based in Strandhill,” explained Jonathan (20). “They have already been onto us asking when it will be available so we are delighted that it will be of practical benefit”.
As someone who is interested in getting into the design area, the blend of practical work and theory on his course has given the third year student confidence about future job prospects. “I did the Leaving Certificate just when the construction industry was fading so that branch of engineering wasn’t an option for me,” he explained. “But there are job opportunities in mechanical engineering, thanks mainly to the pharmaceutical and medical device industries”.
A family affair – Mayo brothers develop Rim Lift Wheel Changer
Brothers Shane and Calum Murray from Balla, Castlebar, knew what they were doing when they designed a device that can remove and refit a 500 kilo tyre, thus eliminating a lot of manual labour and potential back problems for those using heavy agricultural machinery.
Both third year Mechanical Engineering students at the IT Sligo, they knew that their Rim Lift Wheel Changer would be very beneficial when working with their father, Fintan Murray, an agricultural contractor.
“We wanted something which would improve Health & Safety by eliminating the danger of heavy wheels falling, which apart from the damage to whatever is around could also do a lot of harm to lads’ backs,” explained Shane.
For their end of year project Shane (25) and Calum (21) and two classmates, came up with a system which can lift rims and tyres on heavy plant such as tractors, trucks and slurry tankers by grabbing the rim and then transferring it to a trailer. “This means that if you have a puncture you don’t need two fellows to get the wheel off,” said Shane. The rim lift can remove the tyre to a trailer for transportation to a garage. “That saves money because if someone had to come and pick it up it could cost €100,” explained the student.
There is currently no machine on the market which manipulates wheels by catching the inner rim.
The students have adapted the wheel changer so that it is a multi-purpose machine which can also be used as a crane for taking engines out of machines. It can lift heavy objects such as half ton bags of manure.
“Our father has seen it work and is impressed,” said Shane, who pointed out that two Mayo companies now want to talk to them about using the device.
Shane who is keen to work in the areas of design, manufacturing and sales says this project was typical of the kind of hands – on experience he has got at IT Sligo. “When I go back to the family business I see how relevant everything we have learned is,” he explained. “I would really like to continue with the programme and get an honours degree as I know it will enhance my chances of getting the kind of work I would enjoy”.
Image Captions in order:
- Top Right: Karen Barrett with IT Sligo President, Professor Terri Scott.
- Middle Right: Jonathan Kelly, Gavin Kee and Malcolm Kee designed a ‘Clam Grading System’.
- Below Right: Mayo brothers Shane and Calum Murray with their team mates Terry Munday and Derek O’Reilly. Also pictured are lecturers Robert Craig and Michael Moffatt.
 AgriPunch: The Agri-Punch is designed to be used in an agricultural environment, for the construction of sheds and other general engineering fabrication work. Mounted on a tractor, it uses a unique toggle clamp mechanism to generate an impressive 68 tonnes of force. This machine is rated to punch a 25 mm diameter hole in a 12 mm thick plate and can be adapted to shear bars, bend pipes and undertake other pressing operations. |
 (AutoFeed): Automatic Creep Feeder: This automated animal feeding system uses sensors to detect the type and size of livestock as it enters the feeding area and then dispenses the correct amount and type of feed, depending on the animal. While controlling animal feeding, this product will also benefit farmers by eliminating the need to feed animals manually every day as the hopper will only need to be filled weekly. |
 Modesty Block Assembly Machine: This project is an automated assembly device used to assemble the three component parts of a furniture fixture, called a “Modesty Block”. Automated assembly machines, such as these are found in high volume, modern manufacturing companies where this type of robotic assembly is common place. This project incorporates a high level of precision engineering along with pneumatics, electropneumatics and programmable logic control technology. _ |
 Wood Processor: The objective of the Wood Processor is to enable logs and firewood to be cut and split much faster than normal, while also significantly reducing the amount of manual labour. Mounted to the 3-point linkage of a tractor it uses the tractor’s hydraulic power supply to operate a conveyor and a log splitter, which is incorporated into the machine. _ |
 Track Car: Four of the students, all serious car enthusiasts, have designed and built a custom Track Car. They intend to use this for track days, hill climbs and clubman style racing. This project involved building the car chassis, suspension, exhaust and most of the body panels. The engine and drive came from a Ford Sierra 1800cc CVH which they stripped and utilised. _ |
 Conor Keane from Athleague, Co Roscommon with his Ladder Support. |