The Dreamfit Design Challenge was open to all second and third year mechanical engineering students and allowed teams to complete a project following through from concept to manufacture.
The challenge ran across two semesters and was broken into two stages.
Stage 1: Over 230 students enrolled in MECH 2401 (Design and Visual Communications) submitted a design concept for one of three specific challenges aimed at developing a viable engineering solution for a person with a disability. From there the top 108 students were placed into teams and given a budget to develop a design and prototype. After all 31 teams presented as part of their unit assessment, the best 15 teams were then chosen to present at a finals presentation in front of industry representatives, clients and a UWA supervisor.
Stage 2: In stage two the best performing 38 students from Stage 1 were placed into groups, given a more substantial budget and guided by industry mentors from Hatch, SKM, Raytheon, Apache, Arup, Calibre, Wood Group Kenny and Wood Group IM as they take their concept through to manufacture. Students were required to source their components, liaise with external stakeholders and manage their budget to build and test their designs to Australian Engineering standards.
In 2011 the Design Challenge produced nine unique designs and over 30 units of equipment that will be made available to three local disability organisations that will assist people with disabilities to participate in a range of leisure activities.
