Student uses COVID downtime to celebrate lifts in Lego

When the senior year for Mechanical Engineering student Jack Ward was put on hold at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA, because of the COVID-19 crisis, he certainly knew how to make the best of a difficult situation.

Ward’s approach to constructively pass the time was – naturally – an innovative engineering solution. Using Lego, he built a custom set of Mobile Column Lifts like those engineered by the heavy-duty bus and truck lift expert, Stertil-Koni. Then, the Lego master deployed them to hoist a replica WWII tank, which he also made from Lego.

As Ward explains, “Stertil-Koni offers lifts that can carry a large range of heavy loads, which is an interesting feat from an engineering perspective; and I like the diverse applications of Mobile Column Lifts.” Once he graduates from UNC, Ward wants to work on designing mechanisms and machinery, especially within the automotive industry. His eye-catching Lego project is a great example of how people are exercising their creativity and imagination in inspiring ways, despite the pandemic.

As Stertil-Koni president, Dr Jean DellAmore, observed, “At a time when schools are closed and people are sheltering in place, one student found a novel way to deploy Stertil-Koni lifts to elevate our spirits and bring smiles to our faces.”

Ward’s Lego lifts even represent best practices for healthy social distancing. That’s because a single technician, working alone, can safely, easily and simultaneously operate up to 32 Stertil-Koni Mobile Column Lifts using wireless control technology.

Ward’s use of a military vehicle also cleverly demonstrated that art does indeed imitate life, since Stertil-Koni is a supplier to the US Military. Stertil-Koni Mobile Column Lifts are deployed on military bases nationwide, and around the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan. There, they continue to excel despite the often harsh environments. With lifting capacities ranging from 14,000lb to 40,000lb per column – depending on the model – Stertil-Koni Mobile Column Lifts can quickly raise trucks, Humvees, MRAP fighting vehicles, and even tanks.

DellAmore concludes, “We appreciate Jack’s positive attitude, ingenuity and are pleased that he featured one of our most widely deployed products in his Lego project. Stertil-Koni looks forward to hearing more from him once he completes his Engineering degree and it certainly appears as though he will be a key contributor – and future star – in our industry.”