Students Present Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design II Projects
May 3, 2005
Mechanical engineering seniors presented their second semester Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design II projects on Tuesday, May 3, 2005, to a group of professors, sponsors, students and a few of the College’s administrators. These student presentations, however, were the culmination of two semester-long classes where the planning, implementation and design of these prototypes was a labor-intensive feat.
The students were separated into eight groups, each with their individual projects, prototypes and presentations. They choose their desired project, taking into consideration the sponsor’s project description and proposed budget. At times, the department can serve as a group sponsor too. The final design is a combination of the student’s design and the sponsor’s desired outcome.
Team one consisted of Eric Burka, Lawrence Dickerson and Garner Haydel. Their project, “The Perfect Wake,” was developed under the instruction of Dr. Dimitri Nikitopoulos and was sponsored by Garner Haydel. Their product creates a balanced water system that transfers water to allow for the “perfect wake.”
Team two was made up of Nicholas Kimble, Amy Breaux, Kent Almeida, Martin Spears and Emanual Staes. Their project, “A Walk on the Beach” was sponsored by Leighton Harvey and Andi Ragusa, aided by their faculty advisor Dr. Ram Devireddy. This prototype was inspired by their sponsor’s problems with arthritis. Using a motor from an old treadmill, the team developed a simulated walk on a beach’s hot sands. They demonstrated their prototype in the shop and proposed it as an ideal form of therapy for individuals suffering from forms of arthritis to a host of other medical conditions.
Team three was comprised of students Charlie Humpreys, Kenneth Manda and Clay Tassin. This team’s project, “Save the Fish,” was developed in conjunction with their sponsor George Leblanc of SSI (Screening Systems International), under the guidance of Dr. Warren Waggensack. Their prototype, which they demonstrated via video, would allow for an improved traveling water screens filtering system which would continue to filter out debris, but also allow for the conservation of aquatic life which may be harmed otherwise.
Students Jason Armistead, Richard Dunn, Kenyatta Moncree and Gerardo Gonzalez comprised group four. Their project, “Body Weight Support System” was developed under the guidance of Dr. Keith Gonthier and their sponsor Dr. Li Li from LSU’s Kinesiology Department. Their prototype would be useful for rehabilitation purposes and may help individuals who suffer from Type II diabetes, athletes, or those without access to a pool, which usually helps with circulation problems.
Project five, the “Instant Hot Water Heater,” was designed by Christine Nguyen, Michael Robert and Seth Chandler under the direction of their faculty advisor Dr. Kevin Kelly and their sponsor International Mezzo Technologies. The team’s design was developed in an attempt to replace traditional hot water heaters that can be bulky and increase energy costs. Their version of the hot water heater would produce “on demand” water heating capabilities, as well as reduced energy costs.
Team 6, the “Long Reach Mower,” was developed by Casey Hoffman, Ken Starkovich, Christopher Tramonte and Benjamin Casognos, under the supervision of their sponsor Dr. Edward McLaughlin and advisor Dr. Muhammad Wahab. This design allows for mowing of slopes and angles and is beneficial when cutting trees, bushes, ditches and similar materials.
Project seven was designed by Mark Blom, Craig Lacy, Jacob Phillips and Matthew Seale. Their “Micro Air Vehicle” – a flying remote control vehicle six inches in diameter – with a total approximate mass of 60 grams was designed under the guidance of their advisor Dr. Srinath Ekkad and Dr. Marcio DeQueiroz and their sponsor the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Finally, project eight the “Mini Baha” was developed by Eric Devall, Christopher George, Bradley King, Mohamed Younis, Bandon Pontius, Micah Stewart and Jeffrey Thompson. Their sponsor, also the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and faculty advisor Dr. Warren Waggenspack, aided in the development of this purple, gold and tiger spotted vehicle.
All eight teams presented their projects professionally and knowledgeably. Professors and sponsors challenged each team to think critically by questioning their decision-making process and expecting justification. Each team was responsible for answering the questions to the best of their abilities. The final presentations, unique in their own way, were a successful culmination of a year’s work toward creating, implementing and developing an innovative design that would be beneficial to society and their future in the engineering industry.
PHOTO GALLERY for Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design II Projects
