UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 32, Page 6
May 21, 1992
Computer-directed camera wins engineering design competition

     "Lights, camera, action" used to be an awkward process when
videotaping skaters during practice sessions in the University's ice
arenas, as part of the Sports Science Laboratory's studies of athletes
in motion.
     Formerly, a camera had to be positioned and tilted manually every
time a different angle was desired, with the photographer climbing up
and down the equipment supports to physically reposition the camera.
     Now, thanks to the ingenuity of the winning team in the
Department of Mechanical Engineering's annual senior design program,
the camera is on a motor mount attached to a 20-foot, triangular tower
and can be adjusted by computer commands.
     The camera project, which received first place in the American
Society of Engineers competition at the University, was underwritten
by the National Science Foundation for the Sports Science Laboratory.
The inventive students on the team were seniors Scott Frenck from
Newark and John Skibicki, Archie Tse and Ross Willson, all from
Wilmington.
     A second place award went to the stealth composite generator
frame for the U.S. Army, a device that masks the noise of generators
used in the field. The frame, which was designed to be lightweight and
easy to carry, reduced the noise of the generator from rock concert to
conversational level.
     Third place honors went to three projects-a roll-down, reflective
sunscreen for cars; powered, double-hung windows which can be opened
automatically, designed for a person with disabilities but convenient
for anyone; and a levitation device for a magician.
     Robert Allen, assistant professor, and Michael Keefe, associate
professor, both of mechanical engineering, taught the senior design
course this year.
     -Sue Moncure