Paul Casey, a third year engineering student at GMIT has won first place at the national MIDAS Electronic Project Competition.
The Portumna man, who is doing a Bachelor of Engineering at GMIT, won the top prize for his ‘Check Weigher Conveyor System’ which he made for his final year project.
The Check Weigher Conveyor System automatically loads product, weighs it and sorts it based on its weight, a creation of great use in busy warehouse environments.
Paul said that he was honoured to be have been chosen for this accolade and is grateful for the help he’s been given to get this far.
“I’ve been extremely fortunate to have such a helpful cohort of lecturers throughout my degree programme who were always there to offer advice and support.”
“I would especially like to thank Paul Ryan, my project supervisor, who was always available to offer advice and who helped me throughout every stage of the project development,” he said.
“Ray Weldon for making Industrial Automation such a dynamic an interesting subject to learn and also Barry Finnegan, Thomas Mullin, Seamus Leonard, Pat Cassidy, Clare Lundon and Mairtin O’Conghaile who all played a part in making my time at GMIT a memorable and enjoyable experience.”
Paul came in joint first place with Anthony Wall, a final year PhD student from University College Cork.
The two students each received a €1,000 prize for their innovative creations.
The Midas 3rd Level Electronic Project Competition exists “to foster excellence in electronic and microelectronic design and development” among students working in engineering and electronics.
Entries are rated based on numerous criteria including Technical quality, Originality, Abstract, Background and Motivation, Conclusions Drawn, Supporting References Used,Presentation Impact and Quality.
Leonard Hobbs, Chairperson of MIDAS Ireland commended the calibre of this year’s finalists, “The standard was so high, it was impossible to divide the quality of the winning projects,” he said.
Ray Weldon the course director of the Electrical Services and Automation Degree said everyone is proud of Paul’s achievement.
“Attaining such an accolade brings great honour to GMIT and to all in our department.”
