Engineering Education Scheme
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The future of the engineering profession depends on recruiting, educating and retaining the most able and motivated young people. The Engineering Education Scheme assists this process by bringing together 4 high ability sixth formers, one member of staff and a mentor engineer from a local engineering company, to work for 6 months on a "real" engineering project chosen by the company.
This year witnessed an exciting and hugely successful collaboration with Vauxhall Motors, who presented a problem to our team-Matthew Hardy, Shaun Mooney, John Ramsey and Robert Woodward. Assisited by Physics teacher Mr D Braunston, they were asked to think of a way to solve a production line issue. The problem centred around health & safety, as workers had to walk backwards as they worked on a part-finished vehicle. The problem for the boys was to produce a 'man-mover' which would eliminate the need for the worker to walk backwards.
The team had 3 main ideas, however eventually the most practical solution came in the form of a "platform on wheels", which moves along 3 rails, and is powered by a pneumatic motor.
As a result, the design has now been adopted by Vauxhall, and has helped to considerably reduce the current system ergonomics score by around 8 points, thereby reducing the wastage by each worker and ultimately making the whole operation more safe.
What did the students gain from the experience? - Problem analysis, problem solving, communication, administration, solution design, project management and presentation skills-Well done boys!
This year witnessed an exciting and hugely successful collaboration with Vauxhall Motors, who presented a problem to our team-Matthew Hardy, Shaun Mooney, John Ramsey and Robert Woodward. Assisited by Physics teacher Mr D Braunston, they were asked to think of a way to solve a production line issue. The problem centred around health & safety, as workers had to walk backwards as they worked on a part-finished vehicle. The problem for the boys was to produce a 'man-mover' which would eliminate the need for the worker to walk backwards.
The team had 3 main ideas, however eventually the most practical solution came in the form of a "platform on wheels", which moves along 3 rails, and is powered by a pneumatic motor.
As a result, the design has now been adopted by Vauxhall, and has helped to considerably reduce the current system ergonomics score by around 8 points, thereby reducing the wastage by each worker and ultimately making the whole operation more safe.
What did the students gain from the experience? - Problem analysis, problem solving, communication, administration, solution design, project management and presentation skills-Well done boys!
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The Production Line
Vauxhall Motors-Ellesmere Port
Vauxhall Motors-Ellesmere Port
