Physics students awarded for engineering solution

AS Level physics students at Coleg Sir Gâr’s Graig campus have won an engineering award for an idea which is hoped to be developed by Llanelli automotive company, Calsonic Kansei.

Five students entered the Engineering Education Scheme Wales (EESW) awards 2012 and won the award for the engineering solution with the most commercial potential.

“Students researched and developed an innovative method that addressed a project brief set-out by Calsonic Kansei,” said Coleg Sir Gâr lecturer Gregory Owen. “They used a number of skills to come up with a solution including writing their own computer programme to analyse whether a part is within specification.”

Phil Williams, engineering manager at Calsonic Kansei said: “The company makes millions of components that form the body of our finished heat exchangers but we don’t have a quick and easy measuring method to check that the amount of material going into the part is not under or over its specified size.

“We’re looking at a materials cost and performance issue if the component isn’t to spec, so we gave the students a challenge of coming up with a solution.

“They were given a typical variation of samples and tolerance specifications to work with and they came up with an idea and a demonstration model which, because of its consistency and accuracy, we’re considering sponsoring for further development as it would be a low cost investment yet a huge benefit to the company.”

Lecturer Gregory Owen added: “We’re delighted that Calsonic Kansei has shown interest in developing the product and this will offer an insight and experience for the students as to how that process works.”

The students were nominated for six categories at the awards evening held at the Celtic Manor Resort and were up against competition of around 100 teams from secondary and further education establishments.

Picture:

Coleg Sir G̢r A Level physics students at Calsonic Kansei From left РColeg Sir G̢r students Matthew Jennings, Matt Cooke, lecturer Gregory Owen, students Timothy Davison, Lorenzo Calegari , Phil Williams engineering manager at Calsonic Kansei and Nathan Richards.