PROJECTS

Project | 01

Wire Crimper/Cutter Design Phase 2

I worked in a 4 person team where we continued a previous project that modeled a crimper with a single die used for 8 lug sizes. We ran FEA and conducted Rockwell hardness testing to choose the material and address dangerous stress concentrations. We also looked into some products from the competition to guide us in our ratcheting mechanism design. Since our company sponsor was limited in production capabilities, we had to design almost all parts with 2D geometry. After we finished the CAD model, we assembled a 3D printed prototype. The prototype had a working ratcheting mechanism unlike the previous project team. This project won first place for the Spring 2019 Bernt O. Larson Project Design Award where each member was awarded $500.00.

Project | 02

Automated S'mores Machine

This was the main project I worked on during my tenure as SEM's Project Director. I led a group of about 7 people to create essentially a small factory that creates s'mores. We went for a conveyor belt and multiple dispensers setup. All dispensers used some form of a rack and pinion to either load up another dispenser or directly dispense onto the s'more. The chocolate dispenser uses a 3 servo arm and a vacuum pump to pick up chocolate and place it on the first graham cracker. The marshmallow dispenser uses a pvc pipe and 2 rack and pinion setups, and heat guns are used to cook the marshmallow and chocolate. The final graham cracker dispenser is loaded with another rack and pinion into a claw that drops down with a stepper motor. The claw opens then proceeds to compress the s'more.

Project | 03

3D Chocolate Printer

This project has been a work in progress since before I came to UIUC. It finally was operational at the 2019 Engineering Open House. To harden the chocolate quickly so the other layers can start stacking, we tempered the chocolate. Chocolate goes through 6 crystal phases when heated, and the 5th phase lets the chocolate harden very quickly at room temperature. I created an Arduino-based temperature regulator that attaches to the extruder (a syringe) so that the chocolate is liquid when printing and solid when printed.

Project | 04

Puzzle Box

This was the first project I led during my sophomore year. It requires the user to complete 3 puzzles in order to unlock. I became more familiar with woodworking skills and CAD because of this project.