The course was led by Sieghard Schmetzer, Business Unit Director at Ingenics AG, in collaboration with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Oliver Kunze from HNU. Prof. Dr. Sven Völker from Ulm University of Technology, with which HNU offers the degree programme in cooperation, was also present. Various 3D printers were available to students in the HNU's logistics laboratory (LogLab). Dr. Galiya Klinkova provided technical coaching to the students.
Inspiration from space travel
A space elevator is a visionary concept in space technology: a transport module moves along a tensioned "fixed cable" from Earth into orbit to transport payloads into near-Earth space without the need for a rocket launch. This basic principle served as a technical model for the students. Their goal was to develop a functional prototype that could move vertically along a cable, similar to a "mini space elevator". The evaluation criteria for the project included the dead weight-payload ratio and functionality with variable cable thickness. On the day of the practical presentation of the results, there was even a small competition between the teams under the heading: "Who can climb the rope with as much weight as possible as quickly as possible?"
From planning to prototype
At the beginning of the semester, the teams analysed requirements, drew up project plans and developed initial technical sketches. This was followed by the practical implementation:
- Technical concept development
- Development of drive system and load-bearing equipment
- Selection of suitable motors and control components
- Design of individual components using 3D printing
- Programming of motion sequences
- Test series and iterative optimisation
The solutions were very different, and included sophisticated drive and rope clamping systems, ingenious deflection devices and remote control elements specially modified for the application, as well as a few pragmatic gadgets, such as rubber bands to prevent the rope from slipping or cable ties to secure loads.
Hands-on project management
In addition to technical implementation, the focus was on methodological work. The students planned resources, documented risks, worked with agile and classic project management methods, operated within budget constraints, experienced the strengths and challenges of teamwork, and regularly presented their progress. The project thus became a realistic training ground for future project managers.
Finale with high points
In the final competition, the robots demonstrated how well design, teamwork, time management and troubleshooting work together. Some models climbed the rope at impressive speeds, while others impressed with their exceptional load-bearing capacity.
Prof. Dr. Oliver Kunze praised the commitment and diversity of the approaches: “The students successfully combined technical expertise, inventiveness and entrepreneurial thinking to develop creative ideas and pragmatic problem-solving approaches. Once again, the project demonstrated how practice-oriented learning at HNU can promote creativity, solution-oriented thinking within budget constraints, team spirit and enthusiasm.”
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