Southland
Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) student Josh Clarke’s final year project and presentation for his New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (NZDE), is a winner. Josh was awarded the national prize in the NZDE Best Engineering Project entitled “Meat Tubing Machine Design Project”.
Josh said they would submit ideas to their tutor then work on the project. Having worked in a Meat Processing plant prior to studying, Josh had industry knowledge about its equipment.
The Meat Tubing Machine takes meat offcuts and presses them safely and cleanly into bags. The primary reason to work on this design said Josh, was to improve the safety of how the offcuts are handled and processed. In the process of designing a safer machine, the other benefits of the design included: making it easier to use – more ergonomically designed for the operator, and making it easier to clean, repair and maintain, he said. He designed and manufactured the meat tubing machine over the course of an entire semester (2nd semester, 2019).
This included research, report writing, Auto-CAD design and calculations, manufacturing process and project management and execution. Josh demonstrated the actual working meat tubing machine during a presentation to local industry at the end of the semester. Josh’s Meat Tubing Machine is already being put to good use at BX Foods in Oamaru, where he formerly worked.
Carlo Gabriel – SIT’s course tutor/supervisor of DE6102 – Engineering Project, supervised Josh for the full duration of the project, providing guidance and advice, from research methods, analysis and report writing, to designing and manufacturing the product. He said, “The best thing about supervising students’ projects is that you get to transfer knowledge and most importantly, to see them succeed in their chosen endeavour and carve out their respective niche. I am very proud of Josh for winning this award and this is a momentous event for SIT”.
Josh competed against entries from Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITP) all around NZ, in the 3 strands of civil, mechanical and electrical engineering. The award was given at the Engineering Tutor’s Forum held on 10th – 11th February, at Wintec in Hamilton, and was attended by Josh’s supervisor, Carlo Gabriel. Josh will receive a certificate and cash prize. He is continuing on with his studies at SIT this year and is studying towards a Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BEngTech).