Three Industrial Engineering students at Universitas Dian Nuswantoro (Udinus) invented a Hydraulic Press device for plastic waste. This device is used to minimize the volume of trash in plastic bottles. 

 

Those three students were Derian Aldo Benedicto, Riyan Ihzar Septiansyah, and Shinta Aulia Putri who had previously conducted research and unveiled a problem in a business alliance named Roso Gaul in Ungaran. The Hydraulic Press device was also created to fulfill their final projects in the Engineering Faculty, which employs the Capstone Design to as a way for students to conduct group research, instead of individual one. These three students led by Derian Aldo Benedicto created the machine with a thesis entitled ‘Designing Plastic Bottle Waste Hydraulic Press Device with Rational Methods to Minimize Plastic Bottle Waste Volume in Rosok Gaul 62 Business Alliance in West Ungaran Sub-district.’ 

 

During his interview, Derian Aldo Benedicto stated that the device created by his team functioned as a way to minimize storage. The device used the hi-lift jack feature with a capacity of 3 tons using the manpower mechanic. The way how it works is that the user will need to pull the lever, and the device will press the plastic waste into its thinnest form.

 

The idea of this hydraulic press device emerged when the team found problems at Rosok Gaul 62 Business Alliance in the West Ungaran Sub-district. At that place, the team saw the abundance of non-organic waste lying around. 

 

“The machine was created as a team project, with a total working time of a week. We will also further develop this hydraulic press machine in other regions. Hopefully, this machine can be distributed to waste banks in Semarang City,” Derian stated. 

 

Derian revealed that the final project or Capstone Design implemented by the Engineering Faculty at Udinus helps students finish their studies. For additional information, every member of Derian’s team played their roles, which included ergonomic designing, conducting supply chains, and designing the device as a whole. 

 

“It is only natural for us to be happy to pass the final project and graduate. The team-based final project implemented by the Engineering Faculty helps students. This is because this curriculum allows students to share their thoughts, as well as their burdens so that they can conduct their projects properly,” he revealed. 

 

The Capstone Design itself is a platform for senior students where students are obliged to resolve a problem from the initial design to the implementation in a final project exhibition. During the project, it is advised for students to form a group. By doing so, students will be able to hone their soft skills, including leadership ones. Furthermore, students are also supervised by a faculty member in their final projects.  

 

On a separate occasion, Dr. Ratih Setyaningrum., M.T., the Supervisor of Derian’s Team, explained that the hydraulic press device was among the biggest research projects in the Engineering Faculty. This team-based final project or Capstone Design is also a form of commitment provided by the Engineering Faculty at Udinus, which was internationally accredited by IABEE, to ease the burdens of its students.

 

“This team-based final project will allow students to graduate per their expected targets. In addition, students can also share their ideas and experiences in working on their final projects,” she concluded. (Humas Udinsu/Alex. Foto: Dok. FT Udinus)