March 23, 2010 - A team from Cumberland-Perry Area Vocational Technical School in Mechanicsburg, Pa., has won Phoenix Contact’s Nanoline Contest. In recognition of their winning project, the Bio-Diesel NanoCar, the members of the team will receive a trip to the Hanover Fair in Germany next month. Phoenix Contact challenged students to design and build a working control system using the company’s Nanoline controller and nanoNavigator flow chart software. The Cumberland-Perry team’s project was an electric-powered golf cart that uses a bio-diesel generator to charge the batteries.
The team used the Nanoline controller to remotely start the generator with a cell phone. They also used the Nanoline to control power by turning the generator on or off to charge the batteries. During their trip to Germany, the nine members of the team, along with team advisor Larry Harman, will present their innovative idea at Phoenix Contact’s TectoYou booth at the Hanover Fair. The Hanover Fair is the largest industrial trade fair in the world, and TectoYou is a special hall dedicated to promoting engineering careers to young people.
A corresponding contest runs simultaneously in Germany, so the winning American team will meet the winning German team on the trip to Germany.Three other schools competed in the contest: Penn State Harrisburg, Eagle View Middle School and Hershey High School. All schools are located in Central Pennsylvania.
About Phoenix Contact
Phoenix Contact is a leading developer of industrial electrical and electronic technology. The company's diverse product range includes components and system solutions for industrial and device connection, automation, electronic interface and surge protection. Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG, Blomberg, Germany, operates 46 international subsidiaries, including Phoenix Contact USA in Middletown, Pa. Phoenix Contact’s formal Integrated Management System is registered to ISO quality, environmental and safety standards (ISO 9001:2008,14001:2004 and 18001:2007).