ASME reps MechSE with Homecoming parade float

11/12/2015 Christina Oehler, MechSE Communications

Written by Christina Oehler, MechSE Communications

 

Edit (11/12/2015): The ASME float won the campus' first place prize for their design. 

This year, ASME has constructed their annual Homecoming parade float, hoping that it will capture the excitement of Homecoming and the school spirit of Illinois. 

The tradition of the ASME organization creating a float has been around for years. Although the themes of each float vary from year to year, the goal of ASME is to always include an aspect of mechanical engineering in their design.

In the beginning of the school year, the ASME Special Projects Group recruits a group of students who then begin to work toward the idea of designing the float. They are given a general idea of the direction to take with the design, but ultimately, the committee members have a lot of freedom in their work.

“Since Illinois will be playing Wisconsin for the Homecoming game, our float’s theme is all about knocking out the Badgers!” said Daniel Socha, ASME Special Project Director. “As far as the float itself, there is a giant rolling Illini football helmet atop the football field, which is rigged so that it will roll forward, hit an effigy of the Wisconsin Badger and send it slamming down to the ground.”

Socha explained how much of the float will contain moving parts and assembly lines to make the float more interesting.

“On this float, we have our rolling football helmet, which is connected to the badger by a rope so that when the helmet topples the badger (which is on a hinge), we will be able to pull the helmet back to its starting position with another rope attached its back end, and the badger will be pulled back upright as well.” Socha said.

He said that ASME looks forward to seeing alumni return to campus during this celebration and hearing about their successes after MechSE.

“Walking in the parade alongside our float is always a great time to celebrate and showcase all of the work we put in, and we are always excited to get everyone pumped for the game. ASME members love to show their Illini pride!” Socha said.

 

 

 


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This story was published November 12, 2015.