Hero photograph
Martin F. Hohmann-Marriott with two of the Engineering student team members and their Lecturer Adam Liberatore
 
Photo by Otago Polytechnic

3D printed gears

Shane Gilchrist —

A team of our students/graduates has won a national award for an industry project.

The project was funded and developed by German-born scientist Martin F. Hohmann-Marriott, of United Scientists CORE Ltd, which is based in Dunedin. Thomas Bullock, Joseph Hollebon, Arron Sangster and Christopher Baxter developed a range of solutions for gearing systems. Competing against entries from other institutions around New Zealand, their project, “3D Printed Gears: Modular, Versatile, Opensource”, won the Student Project Award at the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering/Bachelor of Engineering Technology forum held in Auckland recently.

Prof Hohmann-Marriott says:

“The award reflects the depth of thinking as well as the dedication of the students. The project satisfied a range of objectives. The first goal was to design modular gearing systems that could be 3D-printed and work reliably. It was also important to make the designs available for education, to build an open construction kit on which future technologies can be based. In this way, the project also gives back to the wider community.”

Prof Hohmann-Marriott says working with students provided him with plenty of fresh perspectives. “Working with students is fun. I learned with them and from them.”

The project combined innovation, collaboration and a community-minded outcome. Otago Polytechnic Engineering Technology lecturer Adam Liberatore says the students benefited greatly from the project. 

“Working with a client gives students a different viewpoint. They get to work in the ‘real world’. And, in doing so, they have a chance to show their skills and work ethic and perhaps turn such opportunities into employment.”