Daily Pioneer News

UWP mechanical engineering students (from left to right) Nick Dame, Eric Sturm, Chris Jenks and Scott Roethle are working on a project directly linked to rock crawling vehicle modifications in conjunction with Xtrm Drivetrain and Suspension of Kenosha.

PLATTEVILLE - Rock crawling has taken off across the country as young and old flock to join in the competitive spirit of the extreme sport during which participants drive off-road vehicles in a race against the clock to overcome enormous boulders and rock structure obstacles, mud, sand, water, brush and even trees. The goal of the competition is to overcome the largest and most difficult obstacles using any four-wheeled vehicle made for off-road terrain. Commonly a brand name vehicle is outfitted with custom parts to make it as powerful and maneuverable as possible. Anders Farr is the owner of Xtrm Drivetrain and Suspension of Kenosha and is working hand in hand with senior UWP mechanical engineering students Nick Dame, Eric Sturm, Chris Jenks and Scott Roethle on a project directly linked to rock crawling vehicle modifications.

According to Jenks, the project includes designing a bolt on portal axle lift that will raise a vehicle's axle up four inches. "We want to design something rock crawling users can easily put on for a weekend of extreme fun. They may not have the ability to fabricate or weld parts so we're designing an alternative that will require only a wrench to put on," he said. Added Sturm, "The Unimog, a German military truck, has a similar part but we want to design the application to fit on something as common as a Jeep Wrangler." Dame confirmed his teammates' comments by adding that their part would, "eliminate the additional $2,000 to $3,000 cost for added equipment for a vehicle's lift. A normal vehicle lift would include a lift kit, re-gearing, new drive shafts and steering linkage corrections all of which would be eliminated with our design." "Having this part would provide avid rock crawlers with better ground clearance. It creates more torque and less stress for vehicles to get over obstacles. Rock crawling jeeps go in high stress areas and need maximum power to get over these rocks," said Roethle.

The students anticipate producing a prototype out of machining plastic to provide to Farr following their design and finite elemental analyses (FEA). Prior to the start of their design project, they were informed it would normally cost around $120,000 to complete product development from initial design of a prototype through the point where it is available for consumer purchase. Dropping the cost of the prototype, design and testing is another goal for the group. "Because this is for a one-man shop, we want to give Farr a product with an awesome design. One people can order and he can machine and send out. Working for an individual who's life and company depends on your project reinforces that what you do as an engineer directly affects who you work for, especially when there is no corporate backing," said Dame.

Helping the students throughout the project have been a variety of UWP engineering professors including Stan Lukowski, Osama Jadaan, David Kunz, and UWP student Jason Kehoe, an industrial technology management major. Lukowski teaches a Design of Machine Elements class and many of the applications and principles associated with this class have been useful in the students' project. Kehoe helped the students look at the feasibility of casting for their prototype. "Jadaan is the FEA god, and Kunz is the motivator to keep us on track," added Jenks. Commented Sturm, "I'm surprised at what the project entails. I thought it would be simple, but it's really in depth. We continue to accomplish a lot but the list of work always gets longer. It's really the grand finale of classes before we graduate."

All the students are mechanical engineering majors and anticipate graduating in May 2006. Dame is the son of Terry and Nancy Watson of Racine and Dan and Michelle Dame of Buffalo Grove, Ill. Sturm is the son of Terry and Anne Sturm of Wausau. Jenks is the son of Mary and Richard Jenks of Mukwonago. Roethle is the son of Clarence and Sue Roethle of Rubicon.

Contact: David Kunz, mechanical engineering, (608) 342-1431,kunzd@uwplatt.edu Prepared by: Rachael Lehr, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, lehrr@uwplatt.edu