Watersports rack
Stewart Mc Vinnie
Mt Roskill Grammar School
Year 12 Technology Multi-materials, full-year project
Teacher: Gerald Le Mesurier
In response to the project issue "Improving the Home Environment" and the problem of family members "concerned that small pockets of their home have been identified as bland, tired and often look neglected", Stewart decided to build a rack for sports equipment, which was otherwise 'stored' on the floor of his father's garage.
"The rack had to hold wakeboards, kneeboards, water skis and life jackets in a secure way," said Stewart. "They had to remain easily accessible so we could use them every other weekend. It had to be strong and aesthetically pleasing".
Stewart began with clear ideas of the aesthetics of his solution but he quickly found many of his initial designs were too complicated to reproduce in steel.
"After many trials I threw together a couple of simple lines, and it worked," he said.
Stewart experimented with mild steel and pipe bending. He set up a number of jigs to bend mild steel pipes, sometimes working alongside the school department's workshop technician. The components of the refined conceptual solution were produced by a local company that specialised in pipe bending. Stewart visited the company and studied the processes and equipment used. Back in the workshop, Stewart researched and tested different steel-jointing techniques, including braising and MIG welding, which he used to fabricate the stand. Painting was contracted out to a local automotive finisher.
During development, each prototype and modelled process was photographed and passed on to the stakeholders to ensure continuous, constructive feedback and that each step of the development remained purposeful and true to the brief.
The resolved solution combines the sleek lines, bold colours, and modern look with ease of fabrication, and solid, dependable functionality.
Teacher comment
I have taught NCEA Technology now for several years and feel very rewarded 
to teach a student who has, in my professional opinion, followed the Technological Practice to a standard not only rewarding for the teacher and student but also a great example for other students to see exactly what is required from NCEA Technology.
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