UA Engineering Students Design Shingle Lifting Devices

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Alabama senior mechanical engineering students have designed and created shingle lifting devices for Habitat for Humanity. The lifts are used to save labor by lifting shingle bundles and other materials to the roof of houses in the process of being built.

Students will demonstrate the lifts in a competition Wednesday, April 5, at 2 p.m. between the north and middle wings of Hardaway Hall on the UA campus.

The devices are designed to reduce work-related injuries and expand the work force to include individuals unable to carry heavy loads up ladders. Since off-the-shelf devices are typically only available at high costs and include multi-floor capabilities – a function not required for Habitat Homes – students have been instructed to design low cost, high quality, safe, durable and easy-to-use lifts. Students must complete the following in the competition:

• Test a lift capable of raising three bundles of shingles to the range of roof heights for current Habitat for Humanity homes within 20 seconds.
• Show that controls include power-up, power-down and lock features located within easy access to the operator should he/she need to get out of harm’s way in the event of a failure.
• Deliver shingles to a height that will not require workers to bend down or get near the roof’s edge to remove them from the lift.
• Utilize off-the-shelf parts and components that can be replaced. Any specialty parts must include drawings sufficient for shop fabrication.
• Provide clear and obvious safety labels and warnings.

Dr. Steve Kavanaugh, professor of mechanical engineering and instructor of the Mechanical Engineering 489 class participating in the competition, said this project will increase the amount of people who can help build homes for Habitat for Humanity.

“This project will be beneficial for students graduating in the near future because it teaches them to pay close attention to the needs of the client, focus on costs and safety, and avoid making hasty decisions,” said Kavanaugh. “Overall, it gives them valuable ‘real world’ experience.”

According to its web site, Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. The Tuscaloosa Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity builds affordable housing in partnership with individuals willing to work with volunteers in the construction process.

In 1837, The University of Alabama became the first university in the state to offer engineering classes and was one of the first five in the nation to do so. Today, the College of Engineering has about 1,800 students and more than 95 faculty. It has been fully accredited since accreditation standards were implemented in the 1930s.