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��Ӱֱ�� State students took top honors at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) annual Speech Contest, sponsored by the Olean section of ASME and Dresser-Rand. Six ��Ӱֱ�� State seniors attended the competition, which involved three representatives each from ��Ӱֱ�� State and ��Ӱֱ�� University who report on their senior project/internship experiences.

Kyle Blackstone (Canandaigua, NY), Chelsea Kamrowski (Scio, NY), Justin Snell (Sanborn, NY), and Cory Tharnish (Delevan, NY) won the $500 first prize for their presentation of their work at Dresser-Rand in Olean, NY, where they conducted finite element analysis on a brazed component for naval ship impellers. The team designed test fixtures and performed tensile, impact, and vibration tests to verify the results. The project was sponsored by Dresser-Rand as part of an ongoing partnership with ��Ӱֱ�� State.

Chris Graham (Elmira, NY), who interned at Hardinge Inc. in Elmira, NY, took the $250 second prize for his description of his dynamic stiffness analysis and testing of the company’s Super-Precision lathes. Using a Fast Fourier Transform algorithm, he mathematically analyzed his results, allowing the designers at Hardinge to improve the reliability of bearing placement in the spindles.

Colby Austin (Olean, NY) received Honorable Mention and a $50 prize for his portrayal of his accomplishments at Napoleon Engineering Services in Olean, NY, a company that offers bearing testing services and manufactures custom bearings. By improving the results and reporting of bearing performance data, comparing bearing performance to competitors in a clear manner, Austin’s efforts led to improved customer relations and a profit increase for the company.

“As faculty members we are always concerned that we are providing the tools for our students to succeed when they leave ��Ӱֱ�� State,” remarked Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Technology department. “The work they do in these internships and their ability to confidently describe their achievements is outstanding and proves they are ready to assume their role in the workforce. It reflects great credit on themselves and on ��Ӱֱ�� State.”