Engineering Commons^™

Improving Rapid Prototyping Through The Installment Of 3d Printers In Automotive Companies, Kelly Mccarthy

Honors Theses

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a relatively new form of additive manufacturing that has the potential to induce a second industrial revolution. This technology utilizes a print head to lay down raw materials in successive layers to fabricate a three dimensional object. There are several techniques in 3D printing, two of which will be discussed hi this proposal: fused deposition modeling (FDM), and inkjet/polyjet matrix 3D printing.

Although this technology has been around since the 1980s, it is constantly evolving and new materials, uses, and objects are created daily. This technology presents the potential to manufacture a variety of objects across …

Replacement Options For The Ap1-Lew System, Tiffany M. Sherburn

Honors Theses

This report details the upgrade of Pfizer’s Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient-Low Endotoxin Water (API-LEW) distribution system. The current system is suffering from chloride induced stress corrosion which has caused pitting and cracking throughout the exterior portions of the loop. The system will eventually fail catastrophically if an update is not undertaken. Many variables and system constraints are considered to maintain the API-LEW grade water.

The system operates at 65 ^○C and maintains turbulence to prevent any microbial growth. The distribution loop spans 8,500 feet of 4 inch diameter stainless steel pipe which is carried on trestles that are exterior to …

The Use Of Excess Aircraft As Maximization Of Resources, Jean Paul Pion Garcia

Honors Theses

The United States currently has within just 6 airfields approximately 4,600 grounded aircraft. Out of these excess aircraft, approximately 66,900 metric tons of secondary aluminum could be extracted. All this amount of material equals to approximately 147 million US dollars if sold to the current aluminum market price; the United States government could save up to 450 million US dollars just in electrical power expenses by choosing to recycle these aircraft, instead of producing primary aluminum out of bauxite. Recycling all these aircraft, would also have a positive impact in the environment, since hundreds of acres would be freed from …

Reconstruction /Redesign Of The I-69/I-94 Highway Interchange, Manuel A. Torreira

Honors Theses

The focus of this senior design project was to reconstruct the interchange consisting in I­94 and 1-69, which were not up to Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT) standards. Many problems exist throughout this interchange, including flooding issues, current ramp configurations, low design speeds, and safety considerations. As a result, three alternatives were made and a unanimous decision from the client, faculty advisor, and our group was made in order to further analyze one of those alternatives. Once a certain alternative was selected, then the geometric designs were further analyzed.

The many factors that had to be taken into account were …

Wmu Mobile 2.0 For Iphone, Nathan R. Shiff

Honors Theses

As part of Western Michigan University's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the department of Computer Science requires that each undergraduate completes a senior design capstone project. The Lee Honors College allows the senior design project to fulfill the senior honors thesis requirement. In Computer Science, a senior design project can be a website, a desktop program, or in the case of WMU Mobile 2.0, a mobile application. Building on the work of the previous year's team, the app extends the functionality of WMU Mobile for iPhone. WMU Mobile 2.0 provides smooth support for the iPad, a redesigned visual interface, …

Reconstruction Of I-94 And I-69 Interchange, Andrew Dobbs

Honors Theses

On April 17^th, 2012, my team of Civil and Construction Engineers gave a presentation on our recommendation for the reconstruction of I-94 I-69 interchange. Our recommendation consisted of many aspects that were taken into consideration. Our analysis and recommendation is fully portrayed in our thesis.

In order to make a good design, we first had to understand the problems with the current design. All of the problems were located in one area of the interchange; this led us to define our design recommendation to only that area. Once the constraints and problems were identified, the preliminary horizontal design …

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Hvac Optimization, Jessica Hartl

Honors Theses

The objective of the proposed project is to convert the current heating ventilating and air conditioning system, or HVAC system, on the plug in hybrid Toyota Prius into a completely electric system. As the vehicle is now, the gas engine is required to provide heat loss for the forced air heating system on extremely cold days. The data, which has been gathered over several years, shows a drop in MPG equivalence from approximately 100-120 MPG on ideal days (70° F) to about 50 MPG equivalence on cooler days. This problem can be solved by increasing the effectiveness of the HVAC …

Hydraulic Test Cell Power Recovery System, Peter M. Kanda

Honors Theses

Wasted power during testing and development of fluid power components is a major concern due to the negative environmental impact and overall associated energy costs. This report describes a developmental hydraulic test stand and several configurations that could result in recovering wasted power. In this test stand, a hydraulic pump capable of 300 horsepower and above is in the design stages within the testing facilities at FEMA Corporation. The pump contained on this test stand will be designed to create a flow that would simulate what a customer directional control valve would see in a real-world application. The standard hydraulic …

Optimization Of An Airboat Design, Adam P. Leppek

Honors Theses

Airboats are a common recreational vehicle in southern regions of the United States. A functional prototype of an airboat design was constructed utilizing the manufacturing processes and components available to gain knowledge and experience with the design process. The hull, rudder framework, seating structure, propeller shroud, drive train, and drive unit framework were fabricated at a machine shop. Remaining components were purchased, such as the engine, rudders, and propeller. Welders, mills, lathes, band saws, grinders, hydraulic presses, and power tools were employed in the construction. Drive train and drive unit framework was designed and analyzed using RomaxDesigner, a simulation software …