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National Design Challenge 2018


The signature event of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), the National Design Challenge was held at the National University of Sciences and Technology, NUST, Islamabad. Four teams from all over Pakistan competed to be crowned the National Champions. These four teams had earned the rights to compete at this stage of the competition by winning the rounds  held at their individual chapters.

The chief guest for the competition was Dr. David Ball, Chairman Design Challenge of IMechE United Kingdom who came all the way from UK to attend the event.

This year the students were required to construct an Internal Pipe Climbing Device. The device was to climb inside a transparent pipe of certain preset dimensions and return to the point of launch. The objective being to achieve this in the smallest time possible. The competition also had the following four phases:
  • Heats
  • Poster Competition
  • Presentation
  • Peer review

Each phase had a certain percentage allotted to it in the final score.
The event started at around 10:15 am with the arrival of Dr. David Ball at the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME), NUST. The guests also included four judges from industries.

After the opening ceremony the guests had their seats and the heats started. There were three teams from NUST and one team from NED University, Karachi. Each team had to complete four heats. The best time was recorded for team “Mech Mavericks” at 3.66 seconds. The enthusiasm and zeal shown by the crowd was thrilling. They cheered every device as it made its ascend to the top of the pipe.

Up next was the poster competition. The judges and Dr. Ball visited each team’s station and inspected their devices while sharing their thoughts with the team members. After the poster competition, the presentation phase was conducted in the conference room. All the teams aptly described their device and its features while narrating the challenges that they had to overcome in the pursuit. After the presentations, the judges and competitors were served lunch.

The closing ceremony commenced at 3 pm. Pro rector NUST was also invited as guest for the ceremony. The results of the Design Challenge were announced. The winner was team “Mech Mavericks”
from NUST while team “Spade” bagged the runner up spot. Dr. David Ball was then invited to express his feelings about the event. He praised the competitors, the event managers and said that the efforts made by IMechE Pakistan were commendable to say the least. He also explained the origins of IMechE and the Design Challenge which greatly attracted the interest of the audience.

The guests were then given special souvenirs. The event ended as the guests and Dr. Ball were invited for high tea.

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