At a glance
Five baccalaureate-level mechanical engineering seniors at Alfred State College, under the guidance of their project advisers, competed in the 11th annual BUV (basic utility vehicle) competition recently in Indianapolis.
Five baccalaureate-level mechanical engineering seniors at Alfred State College, under the guidance of their project advisers, Ray Gleason, instructional support technician, competed in the 11th annual BUV (basic utility vehicle) competition recently in Indianapolis. A BUV is, according to the Institute for Affordable Transportation (IAT) which sponsors the competition, a vehicle to help meet peoples’ everyday needs in developing countries. Besides rural transportation, BUVs also represent a mobile power source for further development. Thanks to a thrown bolt on the shive, the part of the CVT that controls the drive belt, during the Enduro Run the last event, the team was forced to make repairs on the course. Without the correct length bolt to replace it, team member Kevin Sullivan was able to jury rig one with electrical tape that allowed the vehicle to finish the event. However, despite these difficulties, JAARS (formerly the Jungle Aviation and Radio Service), a group that provides technical support such as aviation, information technology, and media for missionary programs, awarded Alfred State the “Customer’s Choice Award” for the best-designed vehicle. It was presented by Mike Smith, the organization’s automotive supervisor/trainer.