ME 2009-10 Capstone

2009-10 ME Senior Capstone Projects

SAE Aero Design Team – The SAE Aero Design Team is designing a remote controlled aircraft capable of carrying the maximum payload while meeting the SAE Aero Design competition requirements. The combined length, wingspan, and height are to be less than 200 inches, while the payload dimensions must be 5 inches x 5 inches x 10 inches. The team will compete in the 2010 SAE Aero Design Competition in Fort Worth, Texas on April 30, 2010.

Human Powered Vehicle Challenges (HPVC) Team – The objective of this capstone project is to develop an efficient, sustainable, and practical human-powered vehicle. In particular, a human powered utility vehicle will be designed to compete in the ASME HPV Challenge on May 7-9, 2010. The vehicle will demonstrate combined vehicle speed, agility, utility, weather protection, and endurance. The engineering characteristics and design parameters of the ONU vehicle will focus on success within the utility and endurance competition.

Mobile Surveillance Robot Team (multi-disciplinary) – The objective of this project is to design and build a remote-controlled surveillance robot. The robot will be spherical in shape, which allows the robot to self-right itself after falling or being jostled. Overall size, operating time, control range, and surveillance capabilities are all important aspects of the project. The robot will be driven by two independently-controlled wheels that are integrated into the shape. A wireless camera with infrared capabilities will be used to provide the surveillance capabilities. Additional environmental sensors may be added as time permits. The final product is intended to be marketable to organizations such as fire departments, police departments, the military, or any other organization that may require remote surveillance for potentially dangerous situations.

Gutter Cleaning System Team (multi-disciplinary) – The objective of this project is to design an autonomous robotic gutter cleaning system that fits into a common residential-size gutter. The device is based on a robot currently on the market and will propel debris from the gutter using a rotating auger head with bristles. It will be fully automated allowing the consumer to be hands free while using a ladder.

Multi-Species Algae Bioreactor Team (multi-disciplinary) – The objective of this project is to develop a multi-species algae bioreactor to grow and harvest algae for the production of biofuels and bioplastics. Many bioreactor designs typically employ a monoculture of high-lipid producing algae. Through the growth of multiple types of algae, the bioreactor will be more stable, easier to maintain than other bioreactors, and more cost effective. The approach proposed by this project for growing algae will allow for biofuel and bioplastic production with lower overhead and capital costs. The team will construct a prototype based on these principles that can be scaled up to a larger, more profitable model.

Truck Bed Workstation Team – The objective of this project is to design and build an inexpensive automated truck bed work station for a pickup truck. The design will consist of workbenches that move from within the truck bed to the sides of the truck during use. The workbenches will also have toolboxes built into them so that tools will be easily accessible. The device will take up minimal space inside the truck bed to allow for some functionality of the original bed space. Minimal modifications to the truck will allow for mass production and better marketability.

ONU Wind Tunnel Upgrade Team – The ONU Aerolab open-circuit wind tunnel will be upgraded with data acquisition and control (DAC) system capabilities. This includes the purchase/design and programming of a motor controller to maintain airspeed. Experimental measurements must also be collected and displayed digitally and data acquisition software will be implemented.

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Student Challenge Team – The purpose of this senior capstone is to design a flapping wing actuation system for a micro air vehicle (MAV) for the AFRL Student Challenge. The actuator will be as small and light as possible while still having the ability to generate sufficient lift and thrust to meet the given design requirements. For this problem an actuator will need to be capable of flapping a wing or a set of wings with a wingspan on the order of 15 cm and be able to generate enough lift and thrust to allow a roughly 10 g vehicle to hover and achieve a dash speed of 5 m/s.  The actuator must flap at approximately 25 Hz and should allow the vehicle to be controlled without aerodynamic control surfaces.

AbilityOne Network Design Challenge Team – The objective of this project is to create a device that aids the severely handicapped in overcoming employment obstacles and achieving more independence in the work place.  The team will design and construct a device that will help two employees of the CA Group in Celina, OH who have limited arm and wrist mobility.  These employees paint wooden craft pieces and the device will help them do this more easily.  The completed device will be entered in the AbilityOne Network Design Challenge sponsored by NISH.

Drainage System Locator Team – In today’s agriculture industry, drainage tile are located by means of a manually operated tile probe. This process is both time consuming and exhausting for the operator. The objective of this capstone project is to design a device that will be capable of locating an agricultural drainage tile without significant manual labor on the part of the customer.