• Role: Team Member, Performance Analyst

Objective

Key Contributions

• Component Sizing & Performance: Calculated optimal component sizes, focusing on performance factors such as wheel and gear ratios, to maximize the vehicle’s speed.
• Failure Analysis: Took the lead in writing the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) section of the report, identifying potential points of failure and proposing mitigation strategies.
• Collaboration & Execution: Worked closely with teammates on the report and actively participated in building sessions to ensure the vehicle was constructed effectively.

Outcome

• Role: Student.

Objective

To gain hands-on experience in key manufacturing operations that will be essential in future engineering careers, including turning, milling, benchwork, and welding.

Key Contributions

These workshops are easily one of my favorite parts of the course, happening twice a year. I’ve already completed sessions on the lathe and welding, and can’t wait for the next round.

• Lathe Mastery: Designed and crafted a screw using a lathe machine, with guidance from expert staff, and learned the intricacies of precision turning.
• Welding Wizard: Practiced two different types of welding—Metal Inert Gas (MIG) and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG)—honing skills in joining materials and understanding welding techniques.
• Safety First: Thoroughly reviewed and completed all required safety documentation before each session, ensuring safe and smooth operations in the workshops.

Learning

• Built practical skills in mechanical manufacturing methods, while also boosting confidence in working independently and in a team environment.
• Developed a deeper appreciation for hands-on work, particularly the precision and patience required in lathe and welding operations.

Objective

Design components using SolidWorks, convert them into STL files, and print them using an FDM 3D printer.

Key Contributions

• Efficient Design Choice: Opted to design small, useful parts due to time constraints—specifically, four custom guitar picks with embedded designs.

• SolidWorks Expertise: Created the designs efficiently, ensuring they were simple enough to meet the size and print limitations of the workshop.

Outcome

A few of the picks turned out great and ready to use, but the more detailed ones ended up brittle and resembled abstract art pieces.

Learning

Gained a solid understanding of the limitations of FDM printers, especially regarding the balance between design complexity and material strength.

Role: Wing Assembly Team

Objective

To contribute to the creation of the world’s largest quadcopter drone, built by the Giant Foamboard Aircraft Society (GFA) using foamboard—a cardboard-like material.

Key Contributions

• Workshop Participation: Attended GFA’s “Build Days” workshops during the semester break and actively engaged in the assembly process.

• Wing Work: Collaborated with other attendees to measure, cut, and glue together the massive wings, which were so large that solo assembly wasn’t an option.

Learning

Developed a better understanding of teamwork… and the complexities of aircraft wings, which are harder to put together than they look!