Pyramid Engineering Ltd. & Luge Cart World
Auckland, New Zealand
2017-18
Begin.
From the 2nd October '17 to 30th March '18, I was lucky enough to be selected for an internship at an engineering firm in North Auckland that specialised in producing custom precision instruments for clients such as RocketLab NZ and Skyline NZ as well as various construction institutions situated in Australia & New Zealand.
Doin Nothn.
My main project was to design and prototype a luge cart recovery system allowing the luge carts to be automatically attached to the back of a ski chair lift, taking it up to the summit of the hill where the ride begins. (Left: Shane - MD LugeCartWorld)
Guidance.
During this experience, I was allowed to be involved in the highly pressurised client consultation process where my design would be discussed with potential customers that included a number of luge cart based theme parks in China, South Korea, Vietnam and of course, New Zealand. (Photos left to right; Tongyeong, South Korea, Northland, New Zealand)
Hookmates.
I began the internship working on my own with two projects. Although I was able to process my own thoughts and be in control of manufacturing and building my own working relationships with the clients/customers/manufacturers, productivity was, without doubt, increased as soon as two other interns joined me on these projects. I was able to take a more delegating role whilst maintaining the customer relationships.
Something that was becoming more apparent during my time in NZ was perhaps the lack of understanding in regards to sustainability and material efficiency. For example, I - a junior employee - could order significant amounts of free fabricated steel without really having to explain exactly what I would do with it. Therefore I made it a personal mission to try and make the design as environmentally friendly as possible by incorporating more of a circular dynamic.
With inspiration from TO Stool, I designed the product to be folded for assembly and disassembly for ease of production, distribution and deconstruction. Endorsed by the CEO, Les, we were ready to start prototyping...
Progress
Crash.
These hooks have been adapted to attach to support structures on the back of a client's ski chairs.