PneuDrive Challenge, a student competition to showcase mechatronic innovation using SEW Eurodrive and Festo products, was launched earlier this year to eight selected South African universities.
The competition is well under way with eager entrants designing solutions which show the use of the SEW Eurodrive and Festo range of products that were donated to each of the participating universities.
The competition formed part of the design curriculum for the first semester at the universities. "We have had a great response from all the participants and are eager to see the designs that come out of the competition," comments Adrian Buddingh, engineering manager at Festo.
SEW Eurodrive and Festo toured the country during April to meet the students. Product experts were on hand to answer the many questions from eager contestants.
"The competition has already exceeded our expectations and we are thrilled to have an official vehicle through which we can support the universities. With skills shortages at crisis levels it is imperative that future engineers have access to the latest technology to equip them for the workplace," adds Ute Bormann, SEW Eurodrive sales and marketing GM.
Each university will submit one entry to be judged by a panel of international and local industry experts. The closing date for entries is the end of June and results are expected to be announced at the end of July.
(L to r): Paul Strzalkowski (SEW); Nicholas Sessions (lecturer UCT) John Hainsworth (SEW) and Rene Rose (SEW)
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