Ramping up success

Australia hosted the Asia and Oceania Boccia Paralympic championships in November, a chance for the national team to show off the new Deakin designed ramps for use in the sport.

According to Dr Paul Collins, the University’s Lead in Design, Sports and Medical Technology, in the School of Engineering, the new ramps were a great success.

“The Australian team made it through to the quarter-finals and the ramps performed well for them,” Dr Collins said.

The ramps were designed and built by the School of Engineering’s Kris Plumb and Daniel Howard and supervised by technician Phil Todd and Dr Collins.

“Their work started as a summer project for the two students and it really allowed them to put into practice their learning over the last few years,” Dr Collins said.

“This project has some significant challenges such as working with non-verbal athletes, learning to play a game that is measured in millimetres so as to ensure the precision was taken into account in the build process and also that high levels of adjustability are also available.  

“Overall I think it is a great example on how design and engineering can produce a community benefit.

“It also demonstrates the skills and capabilities we as a school are looking to develop in students as we move closer to CADET.”

CADET is the Centre for Advanced Design and Engineering Training which has its headquarters at Deakin and is a partnership between the University and the Australian Government.

The aim of CADET is to offer programs for young people right from Year 8 through to PhD level, a pipeline of students in manufacturing, engineering design and materials as it increases the attractiveness of these disciplines.