The University of North West, based in Potchefstroom, triumphed in the 2006 Siemens South Africa Cyber Junkyard Competition, presented in cooperation with pneumatic and mechatronics specialist Festo. Second place was awarded to the University of Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University from Port Elizabeth won third prize.
Contestants, who were tasked with building a device capable of assembling the various small parts of a promotional key-ring, were judged on a number of parameters. These ranged from effective performance (ie, number of key-rings produced in the allotted time), to accurate and reliable mechanisms, robust and modular programming, cost-effective manufacture and assembly of the project, full use of supplied components from Siemens and Festo, innovative concepts, safe operation and interlocks, complete documentation, manuals and designs, and cohesive and dynamic teamwork (ie, confidence, knowledge, presentation and interaction).
In addition to having drawn competitors from outside South Africa for the first time, the competition involved the very latest technological innovations. Included in the R280 000 donation in components and technology from Festo, contestants relished the opportunity to incorporate the fluidic muscle, an actuator that utilises the unique concept of material deformation and flexure to achieve linear motion. This afforded designers with an alternative, efficient both in relative size and weight, while also providing up to 10 times more force than conventional cylinders.
Other new products from Festo that made the challenge more interesting and globally relevant this year included a micro cylinder, a micro valve terminal and rodless cylinders. These and other parts from Festo, together with electronic and software components from Siemens, had to be combined in the final solution.
Eleven educational institutions, including one from Namibia, took part in the competition, with teams consisting of between three and six participants. Festo Didactic provided three weeks of introductory training to the participants in the fields of pneumatics and mechatronics, as well as the components involved.
For more information contact Joanne Dix, sales and marketing, Festo, +27 (0) 11 971 5560, [email protected]
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