Top ‘mechanical minded’ students have had invaluable work experience after Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL) invited students to work on an improvement project for operational equipment on site.

Today BSL will provide feedback to six of Tannum Sands State High School’s top engineering and physics year 12 students who took on an engineering problem solving project to improve the efficiency of industrial crane equipment on site.

The project involved looking at potential engineering solutions to automate the removal of debris build up on the rails of a crane in the plant’s Reduction Line 3 Transfer area, which would allow the crane to run smoothly and more efficiently on its rails.

 BSL General Manager, Joe Rea recognised the project would be a great opportunity for school students to visit site and utilise their problem solving skills in a case of real-life work experience by having input into an engineered solution for plant equipment.

Through the support of Tannum State High School Teacher Craig Airton and BSL’s Maintenance team, students visited site in September to observe the area and understand the scope of the project. Within six weeks, the students worked together to brainstorm and develop seven quality engineering proposals, before returning to BSL to present their ideas to members of BSL’s Maintenance team. 

BSL Operations Manager, Kevin Taylor said a number of the ideas were seen to have great potential and were further developed by BSL’s maintenance team for viability before a final proposal was selected.

“This was a relatively simple problem-solution project where we saw a great opportunity to provide a learning experience for some forward thinking students,” Mr Taylor said.

“It was a pleasure to witness the students’ enthusiasm to be involved in this project and we appreciate the support of teacher Craig Airton for his co-ordination of the opportunity.  The students are to be congratulated on their innovation and commitment to the learning opportunity offered to them.”

“We will soon be in a position to implement the chosen proposal put forward by the students so it has become a win-win for both the students and the improvement of BSL equipment.”