Bowling Green, Ky. - Three students from Western Kentucky University's mechanical engineering program finished fourth at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers International Student Design Competition Nov. 6 in Orlando, Fla.

Students Brandon Bibelhauser of Louisville, Stephen Howard of Bowling Green and Johnny Martin of Franklin advanced to the national event by winning the 2005 ASME Region VI competition in March.

The competition required that a team design and build a remotely controlled vehicle capable of transporting as much weight as possible across an obstacle course in 10 minutes. Schools from across the United States competed, including North Carolina State, Michigan State, Oregon State and Southern California, as well as international universities. The event was held in concert with the 2005 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition.

The WKU students built the robot as part of a mechanical engineering junior design class. A WKU team also won the 2004 Region VI competition.

"The outstanding fourth-place showing of this team at an international competition is very satisfying to the mechanical engineering students and faculty," assistant professor Kevin Schmaltz said. "While participation at student competitions is a small component of the mechanical engineering student activities at WKU, this success is truly reflective of the quality of students that the mechanical engineering program is attracting."

Photo caption: The robot designed by WKU students (from left) Stephen Howard, Johnny Martin and Brandon Bibelhauser placed fourth at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers International Student Design Competition in Orlando, Fla.

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Kevin Schmaltz at (270) 745-8859.