Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Reinventing The Wheel, Esther K. Unti, Ahmed Z. Shorab, Patrick B. Kragen, Adam M. Menashe

Mechanical Engineering

Reinventing the Wheel selected tires and designed wheels for the 2018 Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Formula SAE combustion vehicle. Available tire options were evaluated for steady-state and transient performance as well as vehicle integration. A single-piece composite wheel with hollow spokes was designed to meet stiffness, strength, and tolerance requirements. A detailed study of wheel loading and geometric structural efficiency was performed. Finite element analysis was used to iterate the geometry and laminate. A two-piece male mold was designed and machined to manufacture the wheel. Removable silicone inserts were used to create the hollow spokes.

All-Terrain Storage Surfboard Carts, Ben M. Kennedy, Danny Riedeman, Roberto Gonzalez

Mechanical Engineering

All Terrain Storage consists of three mechanical engineering students: Roberto Gonzalez, Ben Kennedy, and Danny Riedeman. The goal of All Terrain Storage is to design and create two portable storage devices for the non-profit organization AmpSurf. AmpSurf helps veterans, people with disabilities, and anyone else who could be helped through adaptive surfing and other outdoor activities. Their current method of storing and transporting equipment for events is carrying it from the trailer in the parking lot through the sand onto the beach. This document will provide: a more thorough introduction to AmpSurf and the project, the objectives, background information, the …

Daimscale — 1:14th Tractor-Trailer For Testing Driver Assistance Technology, Christopher Marrale, Jase Sasaki, Devin Bodmer

Mechanical Engineering

Active driver assistance systems are becoming increasingly wide-spread throughout the automotive industry due to their potential for safer roads and decreased costs of transportation, but testing these systems on real trucks can be time consuming, dangerous, and costly. Testing these systems on a small-scale tractor-trailer combination will lead to faster and more efficient development of driver assistance systems and can be used by both engineers and students, leading to a larger field of experienced developers to improve these systems.

Our goal will be to design, manufacture, and build a scale 6x2 model of the tractor portion of a Daimler semi-truck …

End Effector For Robotic Strawberry Picker Final Design Review, Marshall Cuffe, Cory Frederickson, Jimmy Jeffery

Mechanical Engineering

In this report, we have outlined the background of the problem and need for a solution to an automated form of strawberry harvesting. The report includes our research findings, defines the scope and objectives for this project, and documents our complete design process. Also included is our final, completed prototype, and a description of the manufacturing, design verification and testing process. Also included is our conclusions and recommendations for further improvement on future iterations.

Process-Property-Microstructure Relationships In Laser-Powder Bed Fusion Of 420 Stainless Steel., Subrata Deb Nath

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF) is an additive manufacturing technique for fabricating metal components with complex design and customized features. However, only a limited number of materials have been widely studied using L-PBF. AISI 420 stainless steel, an alloy with a useful combination of high strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance, is an example of one such material where few L-PBF investigations have emerged to date. In this dissertation, L-PBF experiments were conducted using 420 stainless steel powders to understand the effects of chemical composition, particle size distribution and processing parameters on ensuing physical, mechanical and corrosion properties and microstructure in comparison …

A Systematic Approach To High Blood Pressure Risk Analysis And Healthcare Cost Reduction In Young Adults [Metodología Sistemática Para El Análisis De Riesgo Y Reducción De Costos De Servicios Médicos De Hipertensión En Adultos Jóvenes], Francisco Rafael Torres Diaz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to utilize publicly available data to estimate the current rate of occurrence of undiagnosed High Blood Pressure (HBP) in young adults (18 to 24 years old) and the out-of-pocket healthcare expenses associated with complications of HBP, to provide feasible alternatives to mitigate the effects on a region's economy. This has been done by building a Risk Factor Simulation Model that utilizes known HBP risk factors’ correlation to HBP, insurance coverage data, and rate of diagnosis to formulate the average Risk Factor Value for a region, which through an Annual Expected Cost Function estimates the …

Single Arm Recumbent Bicycle, Alexander Borsotti, Ryan Westermann, Sean Liston

Mechanical Engineering

The goal of this report is to outline and cover the scope of work for the Single Arm Recumbent Bicycle Senior Project. The report will give an introduction of the problem, a background of the existing research or products relating to our project, the objectives of our project, our project management plan, our final design, manufacturing, testing, our project management, and final recommendations for improving the final design. The team is being supported by the Quality of Life Program, a non-profit organization that works to improve the lives of those injured in duty while serving our nation.

Up until now, …

Photochemical Etching Of Nitrided Stainless Steel Piston Rings, Steven Sonntag

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Piston rings are designed to provide a seal between the piston and the cylinder wall of internal combustion engines, keeping oil from the crankcase from getting into the combustion chamber. This means piston rings are the main point of contact between the piston and the cylinder wall, which causes the piston to experience high amounts of friction and wear. By texturing the surfaces of the cylinder wall and/or the piston ring, the amount of contact area can be reduced, allowing for less friction, slower wear, and better gas mileage. In this thesis experiments, photochemical etching processes were developed to etch …

Internal Deformation Measurements And Optimization Of Synthetic Vocal Fold Models, Cassandra Jeanne Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

Developing lifelike vocal fold models is challenging due to various associatedbiomechanical complexities. Nevertheless, the development and analysis of improved vocal foldmodels is worthwhile since they are valuable tools for gaining insight into human vocal foldvibratory, aerodynamic, and acoustic response characteristics. This thesis seeks to contribute tothe development of computational and physical vocal fold modeling in two ways. First is byintroducing a method of obtaining internal deformation fields within vibrating synthetic vocal foldmodels; second is by presenting an optimization algorithm coupled with a computational vocalfold model to optimize geometry and stiffness of a synthetic vocal fold model to achieve morerealistic vibration …

Origami-Based Design Of Fold States And Stability, Alex Avila

Theses and Dissertations

Origami is a potentially elegant and powerful source of inspiration for many engineering designs. The viable shapes (fold states) of a single device allow it to perform multiple, seemingly contradictory, functions. The fold state is a large factor in the device's performance, but there are challenges in selecting and maintaining those fold states. In this thesis we analyze existing concepts for overcoming these challenges. Those concepts are compared with those that occur in origami-based devices. From this analysis fundamental gaps were identified, specifically, shortcoming in the terminology used to refer to (1) non-flat origami states and (2) sets of facets …

Examining The Mechanics Responsible For Strain Delocalization In Metallic Glass Matrix Composites, Casey Owen Messick

Theses and Dissertations

Metallic glass matrix composites (MGMCs) have been developed to improve upon the ductility of monolithic metallic glass. These composites utilize a secondary crystalline phase that is grown into an amorphous matrix as isolated dendritic trees. This work seeks to understand the mechanisms underlying strain delocalization in MGMCs in order to better direct efforts for continual progress in this class of material. A mesoscale modelling technique based on shear transformation zone (STZ) dynamics is used to do so. STZ dynamics is a coarse grained technique that can provide insight into the microscopic processes that control macroscopic behavior, but which can be …

The Design, Construction, And Thermal Diffusivity Measurements Of The Fluorescent Scanning Thermal Microscope (Fstm), Samuel Hunter Hayden

Theses and Dissertations

Over the life of nuclear fuel, inhomogeneous structures develop, negatively impacting thermal properties. New fuels are under development, but require more accurate knowledge of how the properties change to model performance and determine safe operational conditions. Measurement systems capable of small–scale, pointwise thermal property measurements and low cost are necessary to measure these properties and integrate into hot cells where electronics are likely to fail during fuel investigation. This project develops a cheaper, smaller, and easily replaceable Fluorescent Scanning Thermal Microscope (FSTM) using the blue laser and focusing circuitry from an Xbox HD-DVD player. The FSTM also incorporates novel fluorescent …

Investigation Of An Isotruss Structure As A Compliant Member Used In Bending And Torsion, Jens Garret Jacobson

Theses and Dissertations

An investigation of IsoTruss structures in bending and torsion was conducted. A model was developed in ANSYS APDL where bay length and longitudinal member to helical member cross-sectional area ratio could be varied while holding the diameter constant. The model was validated using previously reported values from analytical models and empirical data. The model was used to make predictions of a specific geometry that was manufactured, tested and compared against the model. 12 specimens were built and tested. In flexure, empirical data had a percent error with respect to the model ranging from 10.9 to 65.4% with one outlier at …

Estimation Of Knee Kinematics Using Non-Monotonic Nanocomposite High-Deflection Strain Gauges, Adin Douglas Martineau

Theses and Dissertations

Human knee kinematics, especially during gait, are an important analysis tool. The current "gold standard" for kinematics measurement is a multi-camera, marker-based motion capture system with 3D position tracking. These systems are accurate but expensive and their use is limited to a confined laboratory environment. High deflection strain gauges (HDSG) are a novel class of sensors that have the potential to measure kinematics and can be inexpensive, low profile, and are not limited to measurements within a calibrated volume. However, many HDSG sensors can have a non-linear and non-monotonic response. This thesis explores using a nanocomposite HDSG sensor system for …

Computational Support For Predicting Requirement Change Volatility In Complex System Design, Phyo Htet Hein

Theses and Dissertations

Requirements play critical role in the design process as objective statements of stakeholders’ expectations. Design process is iterative, and requirements are also constantly changed and updated to reflect stakeholders’ expectations, design changes, regulations, resource limitations, etc. Managing requirement change is one of the most important requirement management tasks. Since requirements are driving factors in product development from initial concept development stage to final production, mismanaged requirement changes can adversely affect project health leading to monetary and time losses. The ability to assess a requirement change and predict its propagation early in the design process will enable engineers to make informed …

Improving Thermal-Hydraulic Performance Of Flat-Tube Louver-Fin Heat Exchangers By Eliminating Louver Gap Condensate Bridges, Alan L. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

The air side performance of heat exchangers is a well studied subject. Flat-tube louver-fin heat exchangers experience a decrease in performance when operating in dehumidifying conditions. As water vapor is pulled from the air, water condensate may create blockages between louvers. Flat-tube louver-fin heat exchanger may experience a drop in thermal-hydraulic performance by up to 50% due to blockages. The aim of this study is to make macro scale geometric changes to louver dimensions and eliminate louver condensate bridges. By eliminating louver condensate blockages, the heat exchanger should see an overall gain in thermal performance when compared to current fin …

Aligning Anatomical Knee Model With Kinematic Experimental Data To Investigate Squat Exercise, Jose Mario Salinas

Theses and Dissertations

A two-dimensional inverse dynamics anatomical model of the human knee was developed by aligning anatomical structures of the knee (taken from x-rays) with kinematic experimental data (collected from motion capture cameras). The mathematical model was used to study the forces related to the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints during the squat and knee extension exercises. Forces calculated by the model included: tibiofemoral contact force, patellofemoral contact force, forces generated by cruciate ligaments, quadriceps force, and patellar tendon force. Bone alignment consisted of superimposing the geometric center of the lateral femoral condyle (from x-rays) with the relative instantaneous center of rotation of …

Radiative Heat Transfer Analysis Of Railroad Bearings For Wayside Thermal Detector Optimization, James Alexandro Aranda

Theses and Dissertations

Wayside hot-box detectors (HBDs) are devices that are currently used to evaluate the health of railcar components including bearings, axles, and brakes by monitoring their temperatures. While HBDs have been instrumental in reducing some train derailments in the past few decades, the number of non-verified bearing removals has increased significantly. In general, HBDs tend to underestimate bearing temperatures in both field service and in laboratory testing, which is not surprising considering the simple two-point calibration method that is used to calibrate these devices. Because of this, different calibrations were compared and analyzed including two-point, three-point, and multi-point calibrations. Analysis of …

Using Non-Destructive Testing To Predict Bending Modulus Of Carbon Infiltrated-Carbon Nanotubes, Fred Stile Fagergren

Theses and Dissertations

Fabrication of carbon infiltrated carbon nanotubes (CI-CNT) can result in large mechanical property variation, and methods to characterize properties usually involve destructive testing. Finding a non-destructive way to test for stiffness of this material reduces the number of parts that have to be made. It also simplifies testing of complex parts. The stiffness of CI-CNT beams is related to the type of carbon material infiltrated between the carbon nanotubes (CNTs), how it interacts with the CNTs, and how much of it there is. The amount of material can be estimated using the density of the beam, and both the type …

Development, Testing, Analysis, And Efficiency Of A Variable Area Dredge In Combination With A Mobile Ferrate-Based Treatment Facility, Leigh Ann Provost

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis proposal outlines the development and testing of a mobile slurry treatment trailer coupled with a variable area suction head and further expands on results and procedures shown in Feasibility of Muck Removal in the IRL Watershed and Subsequent Ferrate Treatment to Remove Excess Nutrients. The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the suction head based on the percent solids maintained during dredging. This thesis also evaluates a scaled design and associated costs for a fully scaled dredging project utilizing the suction head. Additional statistics involving further fitting sediment data to a Weibull …

The Corrosion And Biofouling Characteristics Of Sealed Vs. Perforated Offshore Monopile Interiors: Experiment Design Comparing Corrosion And Environment Inside Steel Pipe, Monica M. Maher

Theses and Dissertations

This research addresses the need to improve on the existing methods for the corrosion control of the monopile interiors used to support wind powered turbines by incorporating a design that also enhances marine habitats and fisheries. Retrofitting monopile interiors with cathodic protection has been attempted on existing windfarms to mitigate corrosion, however, this can cause new problems including water acidification and hydrogen sulfide formation. Such chemistry changes can lead to unique localized corrosion concerns. This study investigated internal corrosion, chemistry and biofouling inside partially submerged hollow steel pipes. Watertight pipes with stagnant water inside were compared to pipes with holes …

Three Dimensional Nonlinear Simulation Of Quench Phenomenon In Superconducting Tapes Using Mesh-Free Monte-Carlo Method, Reza Bahadori

Theses and Dissertations

Performing quench propagation simulations of full size superconducting coils is a challenging problem due to complex coil structures and internal arrangements of superconducting wires. In addition, superconducting wires and cables themselves constitute complex 3D arrangements comprised of superconductor, matrix, stabilizer, insulation and other materials. Modelling quenches in complete coils is therefore a complex multi-scale and multi-physics problem that is difficult to solve with conventional techniques like finite element or finite difference methods. Monte-Carlo methods have been successfully used to simulate various multi-scale and multi-physics problems, but to our knowledge have not been applied to quench propagation simulations. In the first …

Vision-Based Navigation For Electromagnetic Formation Flight, Nasir Ghazi Hariri

Theses and Dissertations

The concept of using Satellite Formation Flight (SFF) reveals various benefits for a space mission. However, relying on a consumable actuation system to maintain a desired relative position and orientation between flying satellites has hindered its practicality and feasibility for long duration missions. By adapting the SFF concept such that electromagnetic actuation mechanism is employed, the concept of Electromagnetic Formation Flight (EMFF) offers a great potential to validate such a technology. EMFF provides interacting forces and torques between flying satellites to maintain their relative position within a formation using its electromagnetic actuation capabilities. This dissertation demonstrates the possibilities of utilizing …

Wheelie King Trainer And Controller, Michael C. Uytingco, Paul E. Hubner, Dmitriy Petrovykh

Mechanical Engineering

The ``wheelie'' is a popular, classic bicycle trick which novice bicyclists often attempt as an introduction to advanced bike tricks. However, many are hesitant to try due to the risks and safety hazards associated with performing one. The purpose of this project is to create an on-board system which will assist a user in maintaining a wheelie after achieving the required position while incorporating safety mechanisms to prevent the user from injuring themselves or others. Additional requirements of the system are non-obstructive features and seamless transitioning between wheelie conditions.

Upon researching the state of wheelie technology, existing products, such as …

Mobility Cart For Monoskiers, Bryce Petersen, Craig Miller, Aaron Kan, Tyler Meskin

Mechanical Engineering

This document represents the culmination of the senior design project of Team Monoski M.E. This project was in partnership with Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra (DSES), a volunteer-based, non-profit organization focused on providing people with disabilities opportunities to participate in outdoor activities. Our team was tasked with designing a device to help monoskiers at Mammoth Mountain load on and off the gondola with little to no assistance. Over the course of three quarters at Cal Poly, we designed, manufactured, and tested our mobility cart, consisting of a custom-made wheelchair with an integrated hydraulic lift.

Me-Em Enewsbrief, December 2018, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

5d Grain Boundary Characterization From Ebsd Microscopy, Akash Savio Amalaraj

Theses and Dissertations

Knowledge of the full 5-degree Grain Boundary Character Distribution (GBCD) is vital to understanding properties, such as gas diffusivity, that are dominated by grain boundary character. Surface characterization techniques, such as Electron Backscattered diffraction (EBSD), can provide only 4 of the 5 GB characteristics (the rotation between the neighboring grains, and the trace of the GB on the surface). The inclination of the GB in the direction normal to the surface is not known. A previous study indicated that the GB inclination could be recovered by correlating the Electron Backscattered patterns (EBSPs) of sample points near the GB with EBSPs …

Fluid Agitation Studies For Drug Product Containers Using Computational Fluid Dynamics, Matthew Hiroki Ichinose

Master's Theses

At Amgen, the Automated Vision Inspection (AVI) systems capture the movement of unwanted particles in Amgen's drug product containers. For quality inspection, the AVI system must detect these undesired particles using a high speed spin-stop agitation process. To better understand the fluid movements to swirl the particles away from the walls, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to analyze the nature of the two phase flow of air and a liquid solution.

Several 2-D and 3-D models were developed using Fluent to create simulations of Amgen's drug product containers for a 1 mL syringe, 2.25 mL syringe, and a 5 …

Hip And Knee Biomechanics For Transtibial Amputees In Gait, Cycling, And Elliptical Training, Greg Orekhov

Master's Theses

Transtibial amputees are at increased risk of contralateral hip and knee joint osteoarthritis, likely due to abnormal biomechanics. Biomechanical challenges exist for transtibial amputees in gait and cycling; particularly, asymmetry in ground/pedal reaction forces and joint kinetics is well documented and state-of-the-art passive and powered prostheses do not fully restore natural biomechanics. Elliptical training has not been studied as a potential exercise for rehabilitation, nor have any studies been published that compare joint kinematics and kinetics and ground/pedal reaction forces for the same group of transtibial amputees in gait, cycling, and elliptical training. The hypothesis was that hip and knee …

A Scalable, Chunk-Based Slicer For Cooperative 3d Printing, Jace J. Mcpherson

Computer Science and Computer Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cooperative 3D printing is an emerging technology that aims to increase the 3D printing speed and to overcome the size limit of the printable object by having multiple mobile 3D printers (printhead-carrying mobile robots) work together on a single print job on a factory floor. It differs from traditional layer-by-layer 3D printing due to requiring multiple mobile printers to work simultaneously without interfering with each other. Therefore, a new approach for slicing a digital model and generating commands for the mobile printers is needed, which has not been discussed in literature before. We propose a chunk-by-chunk based slicer that divides …