The crowd was impressed!
September 30, 2009
It was a noisy, lively event as people gathered in the sunshine to check out the projects created by graduating students from Camosun’s Mechanical Engineering Technology program.
Kids practiced their backhand at the automated ping pong trainer. Crowds flocked to the portable dynamometer as the motorcycle being tested roared at full throttle. An admiring audience talked to students about their inventions, and learned a bit about the potential of engineering technology. And staff, faculty, students and visitors sat together in the sun enjoying a freshly barbequed burger. What a great day!
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 showcased 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.”
Mechanical Engineering Technology is a nationally accredited diploma program that prepares graduates for a career or for further education. The showcase was the students’ final assignment before graduation. The new graduates are now ready to begin their careers, although some will choose to delay employment in order to continue their education. Camosun’s six-month Engineering Bridge program leads technology diploma grads directly into third year studies of an engineering degree program at UVic or UBC.
Camosun is the only post-secondary institute on Vancouver Island to offer engineering technology diploma programs. To find out more, join us at an evening info session, 3rd Thursday each month.
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.