An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir July/August 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 30 | Pte Kevin Griffin, Tpt Coy, DFTC, 12-years' service "I found it a hard course at the start, I don't have a background in IT, I got to repeat my leaving cert in the Defence Forces in 2012-2014. I then applied for the TTS in 2015. My project is a waste bin monitoring system. It has a keypad, and a false bot- tom, which weights the bin for general waste – it can prevent the bin from over- flowing and can send a text message to the operator with a % volume or weight exceeded. It could also be used to let the waste utility company know that the bin can be emptied. I am also fitting a lock to the lid to prevent it from being used by anyone other than the owner or it can be used by an ID Card." Tpr Glen Ahearn, 1 ACS, 7-years' service "My project is a road traffic alert system. I'm testing it on a bicycle to simulate it's us on a motorcycle. There are two parts to the system. The user interface with which is activated with a military ID card. If the vehicle is involved in a crash, the system will send a text message to the hospital duty room with details of the RTA with a GPS location. It has three ways of detection: SOS button and a gyroscope on the side which sends an alert if the bike is on its side for a pre-determined period, and the third is a seat sensor which detects if the driver is off and the vehicle is still moving as the GPS tracks speed. The vehicle has a flashing light and a siren to alert if the vehicle can't be located off road etc." Pte Eoin Finlay, MP Group, 16 years' service Eoin had completed 10-years in the infantry with 4 Inf Bn before completing an MP Probationers Course and being promoted to Cpl in the MP Group, DFTC. Eoin had to revert back to Pte in 2015 to undertake the TTS. "My project Temperature monitoring control system for the ammunition depot, the idea would be for military use for detecting the temperature humidity or smoke within a cell, as the ammunition needs to be maintained at a particular temperature. I spoke to some of the ammunition examiners in the Ord Corps and did a lot of online research. The cells for ammunition storage will have cooler fans and heater fans to help maintain the temperature. The system will send out a text message if the temperature or other alarm triggers are met. The information is logged and can be used statistical purposes." Eoin explained that there are certain radio frequencies that can't be used around ammunition depots. Pte Mark Gaughran, 6 Inf Bn, 7 years' service Mark applied for the TTS in 2014. "My project is a Vehicle Breathalyzer and safety monitor system, it will be built into the vehicle. If a driver blows into the system and fails the test the vehicle won't start as it disables the vehicle. I have a fingerprint scanner and an ID card database of drivers loaded under the engineer mode. Like the other trainees' projects, it will send a text message of the driver's details including the GPS location of the vehicle – thus alerting the MPs. There is a bypass key code to allow technicians or MPs drive the vehicle. My idea came from hearing reports in 2015, that the percentage of road deaths attributed to alcohol was 40%, so my idea was to cut out the vehicle. I 3D printed my bespoke enclosure to fit a Mitsubishi Pajero. College does take a lot of dedication." Pte Sean Gurr, 7 Inf Bn, 8½ years' service Sean spent his first 4½ years' in the Naval Service. "My project is based on a Bird Control Unit to be used in the likes of Baldonnel. The current BCU in Baldonnel uses two eagles and two hawks, roof mounted speak- ers, and non-leather weapons. All need to be manually controlled – my unit will be portable and can be placed in certain locations, they have 360 degree and are battery operated. The pods will detect large birds. They will have a SD cards that contain a lot of birds of prey sounds to scare off the large birds. When the pod goes off it can send a text message to the operator so they can cut their patrols down." "It's a very worthwhile training, my advice to anyone thinking of applying is to not be afraid of the maths, and once you get into it goes along fine. There is heavy competition amongst us on these projects which is good to keep you motivated." The technicians will soon be finding out their results, their posting and where they will conduct their last phase of training. After nearly 4-years training we will wish them well in their new career paths as the next classes move up one year and a new batch will start. Pte Kevin Griffin Pte Eoin Finlay Mark Gaughran Pte Sean Gurr

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