We recently had the pleasure of hosting two outstanding presentations from our Mechanical Engineering students. Staff, faculty, and Abbey gathered in person for the sessions, with many more joining virtually over Microsoft Teams. The full video recording has also been shared for anyone who missed it or wants to revisit the work.

Both teams tackled the same real-world engineering challenge: redesigning a quick-release device for PAMI, used in high-load drop testing to evaluate falling object protective structures (FOPS). The existing mechanism is difficult and potentially unsafe to actuate under loads of up to 10,000 lb, a problem that demanded creative, structured engineering thinking.

Presentation 1: Team Subway – End-to-End Design Process

Team Subway walked the audience through a thorough application of the North American Design Process, starting from a clear problem definition, hold up to 10,000 lb and allow a quick, safe, vertical release, all the way through to prototyping and real-world feedback.

The team impressed with their ideation breadth, using techniques like biomimicry (“crab claw” analogies), SCAMPER, morph charts, and storytelling to generate concepts, then narrowing them using weighted decision matrices and Pugh-style charts. Multiple prototype iterations were built and tested under open, loaded, and open-loaded conditions, refining the design’s release behaviour and reset performance each time.

A highlight of their process was a visit to PAMI, where industry engineers pushed the team to prioritize safety features, tighten the geometry, and ensure robustness under real-world loads. Bound engineering logbooks were also used throughout for traceability and professional due diligence.

Presentation 2: The Kardashians – Lever-Arm Concept & Engineering Math

The Kardashians opened with a compelling overview of drop testing and why PAMI urgently needs an improved quick-release mechanism, one that is manually operable, safe, and cost-effective (targeting ~$500, versus far pricier rated alternatives).

After broad brainstorming, exploring claw concepts, magnets, ropes, and suction. The team used structured voting and a weighted Pugh matrix to converge on their final concept: a simple mechanical lever-arm and hook design that uses mechanical advantage to dramatically reduce the force needed to release a 10,000 lb load. Free-body diagrams and geometry optimization, informed by engineer feedback on friction, supported their design calculations.

The team also addressed safety head-on, designing against accidental activation and flagging replaceable wear components and future validation testing as key next steps before full-scale deployment.

Both teams demonstrated exactly the kind of structured, iterative, feedback-driven engineering thinking we want to see from our students. From ideation all the way through prototyping, stakeholder engagement, and engineering math. These presentations reflected genuine professional-level work.

Congratulations to both teams on a job very well done!

Missed the session? The full video recording is now available for you to watch.