Student showcase

Leyton Chan

Leyton was a finalist at the National Science & Technology Fair in 2000 with his project ‘Hull Stability’ which was an investigation of hull stabilisation and, in particular, bilge keel stabilisers.

Leyton is now a product development engineer at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare designing products for use in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) therapy. His work involves a lot of 3D CAD modelling of both product and custom machinery needed to produce them. The job is balanced with hands-on work, especially during prototyping where he makes use of the very extensive workshop equipment. Leyton has been working on the ThermoSmart™ heated wall breathing tube which is unique in the treatment of OSA and is responsible for developing the next generation product. The company is investing heavily in R&D (there are actually more than 200 engineers) and allows very free use of some of the latest machinery and technology – Leyton has only just moved into a brand new (second) 23,000m2 factory.

Leyton graduated in 2005 having spent five years at Auckland University completing a BE with first class honours in mechanical engineering and a BCom in finance. During those years he did some very interesting summer work as a marine engineer’s assistant servicing fluid handling systems for many visiting superyachts during the 2001-2002 Volvo Ocean Race and 2003 America’s Cup. It also included work aboard some of the latest locally-built yachts, including (then named) Salperton, a 53m sloop built by Alloy Yachts. He was awarded the Beca Engineering Scholarship in his 4th year and is a member of IRHACE New Zealand (Institute of Refrigeration Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers).

Much of Leyton’s spare time has been devoted to restoring tramcars as a volunteer at the Museum of Transport & Technology (MOTAT) for the Western Springs Tramway (his father has been a volunteer motorman since 1978). Leyton has a passion for fine woodworking and traditional craftsmanship (he actually collects old woodworking hand tools) and it is a pleasure to maintain, refurbish and re-create parts for our vintage trams. As an engineer he believes it is only natural to want to create or work on something that is both beautiful, unique, and will endure for future generations to appreciate. He admits that he has had some very strange looks and “What is that for?” comments over the countless ‘homers’ he has done after-hours at work! Over the past two years he has been helping to restore a locally built 1906 Auckland tram (No. 44) and hascompleted much of the interior wood finishing, brass fittings, and re-creating the very elaborate sign-writing as part of the original colour scheme. This particular tram has been presented to the FRONZ (Federation of Rail Organisations NZ) tramcar restoration award for 2006. As part of this Leyton has been nominated to attend the COTMA (Council of Tramway Museums of Australasia) conference in Melbourne in November.

Leyton’s future goals include starting his own company (where the BCom should be useful), perhaps returning to the marine industry, and spending a bit more time off visiting friends and family overseas. As for future study he thinks five years and two degrees is more than sufficient, though he would like to do an MBA if he believes it is necessary. At present he want to balance all that theory and learning with practice and experience.