PneuDrive Challenge is a student competition to showcase mechatronic innovation using SEW-Eurodrive and Festo products. Following the successful 2008 launch the competition has now entered its second year.
The 2009 competition is well under way with eager participants designing pick-and-place applications to illustrate application of the two sponsors’ products. Each university has received a range of products donated by the sponsors.
“The products donated represent the top of the range products from SEW Eurodrive and Festo,” comments Adrian Buddingh, engineering manager at Festo. The companies hold the firm belief that young engineers need to be exposed to the latest technology and need to know what is available to them before they hit the workplace.
During March, SEW-Eurodrive and Festo toured the country to meet the competing students and to present them with more information. Product specialists were on hand to answer the many questions from eager students.
Norman Maleka (SEW) and Gerhard Strydom (Festo) with UP students in the roadshow’s Expotainer
“We are thrilled with the level of excitement and commitment shown by the participating universities. We have tweaked it and taken the advice and input from last year’s participants to make this year’s competition run even smoother,” says SEW-Eurodrive marketing manager Rene Rose.
Each university will submit one entry for judging to the panel of international and local industry experts. The closing date for entries is end June and results are expected to be announced at the end of July.
Last year’s competition was won by Stellenbosch University.
Planetary gear units for high torque requirements SEW-EURODRIVE
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Packing a compact design, along with high torque and low-speed outputs, the new SEW PPK and SEW P2.e planetary gear units from SEW-EURODRIVE offer new capabilities in continuous heavy-duty applications where space is at a premium.
Read more...Innomotics showcases efficient motors and drives at Hannover Messe
News & events
Innomotics recently presented its innovations and solutions for a sustainable industry at Hannover Messe 2025. Highlights included a novel Active Vibration Control System, IE6 energy efficiency class motors, and new product partnerships.
Read more...A racing partnership SKF South Africa
News & events
In one of motorsport’s most demanding arenas, a partnership forged in engineering precision and high-performance ambition has proven its worth. SKF, a global leader in bearing technology and innovation, celebrated a remarkable milestone in partnership with SVR Toyota GAZOO Racing, taking second position overall at the 2025 Dakar Rally.
Read more...German Chancellor visits Beckhoff at Hannover Messe Beckhoff Automation
News & events
As part of the traditional Hannover Messe opening tour, Federal Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz visited German company, Beckhoff Automation. Hans Beckhoff, managing director and owner of Beckhoff Automation, presented his company and its comprehensive expertise in the field of software and AI.
Read more...Festo 100th Anniversary: Celebrating a century-long legacy of innovation and commitment Festo
News & events
Festo has officially begun celebrating 100 years of groundbreaking technology, commitment and enduring partnerships. To kick off this historic milestone celebration, their Customer Innovation Day and ThankYou Party series brought together customers, partners and employees to reflect on their journey and look ahead to an exciting future.
Read more...Siemens and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrate 20 years of innovation Siemens South Africa
News & events
Siemens Digital Industries Software is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its collaboration with Oracle Red Bull Racing, representing one of the longest standing technical partnerships in Formula 1 today.
Read more...A new generation of solar professionals
News & events
A new generation of solar professionals is rising in Cape Town. The second cohort of the Solar Youth Project has just completed an intensive eight-week training course and is ready to take on the next stage, 10 months of work experience.
Read more...From the editor's desk: The new space race Technews Publishing
News & events
The other day an interesting report captured my attention. Within four days, two different private American companies recently succeeded in landing their spacecraft on the moon. Intuitive Machines landed ...
Read more...Upskilled workers add value to maintenance teams
News & events
Maintenance costs, which are traditionally grudge expenses for businesses or industrial operations, can be kept to a minimum by ensuring that maintenance crews are properly trained in key aspects of the condition monitoring process. Wearcheck offers a choice of more than 15 courses covering a wide range of topics, from general oil analysis to thermography, transformer maintenance and many other reliability solutions services.
printer friendly version