The course title says mechanical engineering, but students developing a bulk material transporter have to consider aspects of several engineering disciplines if they are to be successful in this senior design course. Their assignment is to develop a self-contained, human-controlled vehicle that will transport as much material as possible -- rice in this case -- over a set of stairs in a 10-minute period. Each team must comply to the same set of parameters. For example, the vehicle must be powered by no more than 10 over-the-counter batteries. It must have an easily accessible on-off switch and be controlled either through a transmitter/receiver radio link or umbilical cord. If an umbilical cord is used, it cannot be part of the support structure of the vehicle, and it cannot contain additional batteries.

*This project is part of a national competition, sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), who developed the official guidelines. During the actual ASME contest, the team vehicle that carries the most wins. In the event of a tie, the lightest vehicle wins.

The following teams are developing bulk material transporters:

Team Burja:
Matt Bertke, Paul DeMott, Patrick Hertzke, and Will Sirokman

If you've ever hauled groceries up several flights of stairs or carried a loaded backpack over rough terrain, then you'll appreciate Team Burja's take on a bulk material transporter. For more information on Team Burja's project click [here].

Note: Team Burja placed third in the ASME Student Design Competition. View video (QuickTime MOV file) of their participation in the contest [here].

Team Mieux:
Stefan Campbell, Carlos Celada, Chris Villani, and Laurel Weiske

Team Mieux's transport vehicle uses counterbalance and a rotating arm to help it ascend and descend stairs, turn, carry, and discharge its load. For more information on Team Mieux's project click [here].

Team ACME:
Andrew Henebry, Tom Lauducci, Megan Snyder, and Tim Stonelake

Team ACME is developing Nautilus, which features regular wheels and cam-shaped wheels to help it move across flat ground and stairs. An electromagnetic pin holds cargo in place until the vehicle reaches its destination. For more information on Team ACME's project click [here].

Note: Team ACME placed fourth in the ASME Student Design Competition. View video (QuickTime MOV file) of their vehicle at the contest [here].