Courses
Engineering student’s project among top three in Ireland shortlisted for Young Innovator of the Year
Gary Moore, an engineering student at Atlantic Technological University (ATU), has been shortlisted for Young Innovator of the Year at this year’s National Ploughing Championships for inventing a new safe implement mounting system for tractors.
Gary, from Skreen, County Sligo, completed the 4th year of a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Honours degree at ATU’s Galway City Campus and is one of the top three students in the country whose project is shortlisted for the coveted national title.
His project is currently on display in the Innovation Arena at the Enterprise Ireland stand at the National Ploughing Championships grounds in Screggan, Tullamore, where he will pitch for the Young Innovator Award on 15th September.
Gary describes his project as a safe and stress-free mounting system for tractor equipment. He says: “Operating and handling tractors and equipment on modern farms has transformed the workplace into a very challenging environment. This is because farmers are often time poor, modern farm practices require larger equipment, the average age of farmers is increasing, and this is all compounded by the fact that the farm is usually a single person workplace. I designed a system that is very quick, easy and safe for a single person to use to mount large equipment on tractors. The aim is to commercialise this product which addresses the many needs in the market.”
Dr Tom Roche, Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at ATU and Gary’s supervisor and mentor on this project, says: “Gary has a lot of experience of working in his family farm and in their agricultural contracting business. His final year project required innovation, mechanical engineering design including CAD, manufacture and testing. He is passionate about design and wanted to apply all that he learned in the programme to solve a problem he experienced in his work. I have no doubt that Gary will succeed as a Mechanical Engineer wherever life takes him.”
The 95th National Ploughing Championships takes place in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly from 15th to 17th September.
For information on the ATU Mechanical Engineering Honours degree programme, see: [BEng (Hons)] Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering
Photo caption: Pictured is Gary Moore from Skreen, Co. Sligo, ATU student, holding his Student of the Year Award (Energy Stream) sponsored by Medtronic.
For media enquiries, contact:
Regina Daly
Communications and Press Officer
Tel: 087 961 8355
E: regina.daly@atu.ie
