Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) is the profession in which knowledge of applied mathematical and natural sciences, coupled with principles of technology gained by study and laboratory activity, is used to implement technological advances. The MET student is involved with the following three broad categories of study: energy, structures and motion in mechanical systems and manufacturing. The energy field involves the production and transfer of energy and the conversion of one form of energy to another. Specific areas include energy generating power plants, gas turbine and rocket engines, auto and diesel cycle power plants, refrigeration and air conditioning, solar and wind energy production and laser applications. Professionals involved with structures and motion in mechanical systems are often designers of mechanical systems, work in metallurgical laboratories, space vehicles, as well as the more common devices and products. Professionals working in the manufacturing sector are involved with production planning, tool design, numerically controlled machine programming, quality assurance, and the development of new high volume production systems. In addition, some MET professionals are involved with quality control, project management, purchasing and field service. Mechanical engineering technology is the broadest of all of the engineering technology fields.
-
Seat Jack
Justin Worden
Many people around the world struggle with mobility. One of the biggest obstacles for who may struggle in this area is the simple task of moving from a sitting position to their feet. For some, this is the only thing that keeps them from walking around. Creating a portable device to help move a person from their chair to their feet would extremely aid the efforts of completing this simple task at any given moment. This report provides a proposed solution for this simple reoccurring task that countless people painfully struggle with every day. In order to make this device portable two main parameters were of concern, size and weight. Tests on the device’s range of motion, support/rigidity, propulsion capacity, and difficulty of use are discussed. Assessment of the test results will provide evidence backing the proposed design of a device that will lower the difficulty of this task. This portable device will become a benchmark for alternative designs that will further improve possible aid to the user in need.
-
The Phone in the Sky ---- Quad-copter for Aerial Video
Heng wei Zhang
With the development of aircraft model technology, quadcopters equipped with cameras are used for aerial video more and more frequently. Cell phones, moreover, allow people to share photos online immediately, so many people prefer to take photos or videos by cell phones instead with expensive cameras. Thus, the purpose of this project is to design and build a light weight quadcopter frame and select the system components that allow the quadcopter to fly smoothly while carrying a cell phone for aerial video. The method for creating the quadcopter is separated into three steps: design, build, and test. The design part includes frame design on the SolidWorks and Thrust/Weight ratio calculation with a safety factor of 1.0 to 1.5. The build consists of a center plate made of carbon fiber plate, and aluminum sheet metal arms are formed into a U-shape and attached to the plate. The drill press, treadle shear, and manual turret punch are used during the building process. The remaining parts, such as cellphone carrier, battery, motors, speed controller, and control board among others were purchased after the analysis. The frame and electric parts were assembled with screws, nuts, and glue. During the testing section, two different propellers are tested to determine which size and type provide maximum thrust with the least battery consumption. Additional testing will evaluate stability of flight and payload capacity.