It is a son’s gift to his father who has been toiling for years as a welder. B. Sendil Madhavan, a class XI student of MCC Higher Secondary School, Chetpet, has designed a device that takes the help of a robot to check the quality of welding. His creation recently won him the first prize in the innovative thinking category at ‘Child Fest 2015’ organised by Srinivas Young Men’s Association (SYMA).
“For the last three years, I have been visiting my father’s factory at Korattur every Sunday. I have seen him put in long hours at work to ensure the welding work is neatly executed, which includes absence of cracks. Sometimes, he would get scolded by his boss as the welding work would not come out fine. That would hurt me,” says Sendil.
As must be obvious to you now, Sendil wanted to create a device that would make for better welding and the idea of ‘Weld Inspector Robot’.
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His first design, version 1.1, lacked proper circuitry, wiring and light. His second version took care of these problems. The third version of the device was waterproof and oil-proof. It had upgraded lights and a cover was attached to the camera. It was however the fourth version that won him the prize — its features included radio frequency receiver and lights. To be used in industries, the product has to however undergo more upgrades.
“I hope to incorporate laser technology in my next version – as I am not trained in the application of laser technology, I am looking for help to be able to do this,” says Sendil, who calls himself an average student who loves to get his hands dirty.
He was inspired to take up robotic technology after attending a workshop by Jay Robotics Club at school.
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“They taught us the basics. I learnt the rest by experimenting on my own,” says Sendil who wants to pursue mechatronics.
His father helped him join the parts. The rest of the work he carried out on Autocad. He spent nearly Rs. 27,000 for the design: he raised the amount with the help of relatives.
Sendil has taken the device to his father’s factory and is optimistic that they will introduce his design.
“They have asked me to upgrade it further and I am hopeful of completing it,” says the resident of Mehta Nagar.
Sendil can be reached at 98840 57558.