Student project showcase
Camosun Mechanical Engineering Technology
10am-2pm, Friday, Sept 25 Interurban Campus
September 18, 2009
Without a playing partner, how will you get better at ping pong? A team of Mechanical Engineering Technology students at Camosun College solved that problem by designing and manufacturing an automated ping pong trainer.
If you own a motorcycle shop and want a one-of-a-kind aluminum chopper to display in your show room, who will you get to design and build it? Again, Mechanical Engineering Technology students stepped forward with the skills and talent to make it happen.
While other students enjoyed the summer sunshine and local beaches, Camosun’s Mechanical Engineering Technology students were hard at work in campus labs, designing, manufacturing and perfecting their final projects. They will showcase these inventions at the Mechanical Engineering Technology Student Project Showcase on Friday, September 25, 2009 at Camosun’s Interurban campus, outside in the basketball court. Complete list of projects...
“I’m extremely impressed with this year’s grad class,” says Jeffrey Stephen, faculty advisor for the Mechanical Engineering Technology program. “They’ve created some significant and sophisticated projects, demonstrating high-level skills that will definitely catch the attention of potential employers.” The other projects include a motorcycle dynamometer, a robotic cell demonstration unit and four projects that focus on renewable energy.
Mechanical Engineering Technology is a nationally accredited diploma program that prepares graduates for a career or for further education. Some students graduating this month will find employment right away, while others will choose to continue their education with Camosun’s six-month Engineering Bridge program that leads directly into third year studies of an engineering degree program at UVic or UBC.
The public is welcome to attend the showcase and talk to the students about their inventions and the processes they used for turning their ideas into reality. Hungry guests may join students for a BBQ lunch for only $4.
Contact
Jeffrey Stephen
Student Project Faculty Advisor
Mechanical Engineering Technology
250–370–4514
stephen@camosun.bc.ca
Projects
- Motorcycle Dynamometer
This student group, Inertial Industries, built a motorcycle dynamometer that is both cost effective and fully portable. The Dyno has various electronic sensors that provide feedback to the user such as air fuel ratio, engine speed, torque, and horsepower. The Dyno is balanced and has been successfully tested to 280km/hr. - Custom Aluminum Chopper
Sponsored by Vampire Cycles of Victoria, this team designed and built a custom aluminum motorcycle frame using Camosun’s new CNC waterjet cutter. The chopper has a uniquely suspended seat dampening system and fender exhaust ports as well as various aesthetic parts that reflect its gothic theme. 
Ping Pong Trainer
This automatic ping pong training machine will serve ping pong balls to the user at various angles, spins, and speeds. Select which shot you want to practice: front or back hand, and the machine will deliver a continuous series of shots sure to keep you on your toes. A collection net and return hopper system allow endless play.- Robotic Cell Demonstration Unit
The students in this project were tasked with building a custom robotic cell that demonstrates a production plant for a product of their choosing. The group designed an LED flashlight key chain and the manufacturing hardware that will assemble components according to the user’s specific colour choices. A robotic arm was used in conjunction with the students’ robotic cells to tie the process together. - Solar Power Generation
Using a ten-foot satellite dish coated in reflective Mylar tape for a heat source, the students designed and built a water Rankine Cycle, complete with custom turbine and condensing system. The team also designed an automatic tracking system that will maintain the sun’s focal point on the system’s boiler throughout the day. - Solar Residential Water Heater
These solar heating tiles act as both a roofing system and solar hot water heater. After analyzing the sun’s reflective path, the students designed a custom heat collection system that follows the sun’s focal point to maximize the energy gain. Installed as a replacement of typical shingles, this system may one day influence the residential/commercial construction industry. - Wind Turbine
This Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) was commissioned by the Saturna Ecological Education Center (SEEC). The students’ green energy project will be installed on Saturna Island to power lighting throughout the camp, and also act as an educational device for K-12 students as they explore aspects of sustainable lifestyles. - Geo-thermal/Solar Power Generation
This dual heat source Rankine Cycle uses refrigerant to generate motive power from both geothermal and solar heat. The Tesla Turbine design will be used as an educational lab for the Mechanical Engineering Technology department as students learn about thermodynamics and sustainable energy generation.
