The team at Prototype Inspection Day.

What a week! On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, we presented our prototype and subsystem plans to faculty experts in the Rion Ballroom at the Reitz Union. The experience was incredibly rewarding, providing us with valuable feedback on both our technical concepts and presentation skills. One key takeaway was the need to develop a safe and practical method to test our hoist, which must withstand up to three tons of force. Identifying a testing solution will be a major focus as we move forward. We’d like to thank all the faculty members and former IPPD students who took the time to attend our presentation and share their insights.

Later in the week, we disassembled a ¾-ton manual hoist provided by our liaisons. This hands-on activity gave us a better understanding of the hoist’s internal mechanisms and friction brake system, which closely align with aspects of our own design. Examining the ratchet-and-pawl and braking components also helped us identify parts we may adapt for our prototype to help reduce costs.

Looking ahead, our team is applying the lessons learned from both the PID feedback and hoist disassembly to refine our design. We are updating our CAD models, conducting stress analyses, and continuing to ensure that safety and functionality remain top priorities.