The Automatic Belay Device (ABD) is the work of four third year students, Chris Bellamy, Emma Crossman, Tom Latimer, Isabel Martinez who are planning to apply for a patent for their design.

The ABD is one of eleven new product ideas developed by students as part of their Manufacturing Engineering course. The designs were on display at the Department's Institute for Manufacturing's annual Design Show, supported by Shearline Engineering.

The annual Design Show is a chance for students to show off their ideas to local inventors, industrialists and designers. Students put together displays to explain the technical and business ideas behind their products, together with design details and prototype models of the products themselves.

The ABD device has been designed to allow climbers to safely use indoor climbing walls without the need for a climbing partner. The climber clips into the device and it takes up the slack as they climb the wall. The students are now in conversation with a leading sports equipment manufacturer to obtain a patent and eventual production.

Below are details of all the projects at this year's show.

Design projects

Access-a-ramp An automatic, train-mounted ramp to allow disabled users more independent access to the rail service. Sam Brown, Jack Danbury, Zoe Eardley, Clare Totman		Refruitalize A tropical fruit dryer to provide the basis for dried fruit products in domestic and international markets. David Clark, Jean Paul Delport, Daniel Ho
Trolliday A fun airport trolley designed specifically for family travellers with young children. Doug Byatt, Priya Khetarpal, Sara Montakhab, Jacky Yuen		Splash Balls A unique and colourful target game designed for children between the ages of 8 and 12. Rob High, Chris Jackson, Sadia Sapsard
GuineaPod An innovative design that makes keeping guinea pigs at home an easier and more enjoyable experience for adults and children alike. Kiran McCann, Gemma Raven, Chris Rowe		Epione MLD device for self-treatment of Lymphoedema. Alan Cruickshank, Mart Nitibhon, Emily Wakeford
The Automatic Belay Device An automatic device to lower climbers safely to the ground in indoor climbing centres. Chris Bellamy, Emma Crossman, Tom Latimer, Isabel Martinez		Foilfly A face-down, flying-above-the-water sensation for the leisure rental market. Ewen Christie, Laurence Gartside, Ben Kenneally
Collapsi-Sled A novel, space-saving sledge, designed for expedition use. Jeni Hine, Markos Markides, George Savell		MeltWater An energy-free, non-freezing livestock watering solution. Emma Cory, Angus Sinclair, Chris Wright
Rokuyurt An innovative, mid-to-long-term housing solution aimed at disaster victims and refugees. Simon Bourne, Fiona McHardy, Angharad West