ELYRIA, Ohio - Ridgid announced the winners of the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Design Competition it sponsored in July. The contest was created to recognize student design and conceptualization of an innovative, compact, and lightweight pipe tubing pressing method. The company began the contest with the CWRU Office of Engineering Student Programs in January 2008 and held final judging at the end of the school year.

“The CWRU Design Competition was a great way to foster creativity and innovation, and Ridgid was fortunate to work with such talented young individuals throughout the event,” said Matt Ondrejko, director of marketing, plumbing, and pressing technologies, Ridgid.

The primary criteria were innovation, functionality, size, and weight. Five teams of two to six students were accepted from engineering and technical backgrounds of all levels, and each team was provided with a budget of $2,000 for prototyping, resources, and materials. Cash prizes were awarded to the top three teams and equally distributed among team members. Inventors whose ideas were patented were also awarded $500 and a plaque, regardless of their finish in the competition.

First place, receiving $7,500, was the Direct-Acting Hydraulic System designed by Joseph Recht and Nicholas Tierno. Second place, receiving $2,500, was the Expanding Gas design by Rose Glinka, John Roush, and Daniel Shelberg. Third place, receiving $1,000, was the Electric Motor and Ball Screw designed by Eric Diller, Zach Fredin, Sean Knowles, Mike Malguarnera, Geoff Peyton, and Russell Smith. David Rear’s combustion driven design received a technical consultation award and $500.

Publication date: 09/01/2008