Dayton Regional S.T.E.M School
COLLEEN NICOLE FULTON
Portfolio
The purpose of the Exploration Report was to help students explore potential careers that they could pursue. To start off, the students asked themselves driving question in order to help guide the research that would then lead them to pick two potential careers. This report focuses on both Mechanical and Aerospace engineering. The document focuses on the research we conducted to determine necessary classes and the potential salary of obtaining that career.
The purpose of the Exploration Report was to help students explore potential careers that they could pursue. To start off, the students asked themselves driving question in order to help guide the research that would then lead them to pick two potential careers. This report focuses on both Mechanical and Aerospace engineering. The document focuses on the research we conducted to determine necessary classes and the potential salary of obtaining that career.
Career Exploration Report
Internship Daily Journal
**To download my Career Exploration Report, simply click on the picture above and click the link listed on the bottom. This document will provided everything listed in the summary above.**
Day 1
My first project working with UDRI was working with the Joint Base San Antonio BEAST (Base Expeditionary Airmen Service Training) and highlight the changes that UDRI made though a Printed CAD Model. To start off with, I was provided a folder of pictures of the camp. Based off of these pictures I was to create models. I am slightly concerned that making models based on perspective might become an issue later on, but I was assured by staff that there should be no problem considering my work is for demonstration purposes. Below are a few examples of my work.
Day 2
By the end of today I was able to wrap up all of the models and lay them out on a Power Point to show to UDRI staff. I was also able to create a more in depth visual of the final product we will be making. This obtaining an original CAMMS tent on the left side, and a revised model on the right side. The board it sits on goes even deeper into the upgrades ranging from HVAC to Battery systems.
Day 3
Since the BEAST models were created and approved by UDRI, it was time to determine how to print them and what to print them with. I discovered a website called 3D Hubs that provided a network of 3D printer providers. I explored a variety of printable material and chose sandstone print since it can foster any color, then I received a quote from Leap 3D LLC’s Hub.
Day 4
Got a new assignment to determine the layout of the UDRI laser lab. This lab obtained a hand held and robotic laser, with an addition of a laser curtain to wall the sections of the room. I was provided a spreadsheet with the dimensions of the room, and also a picture of the interior and was able to develop the entire space.
Day 5
With the room configured I was able to get some images for the model of lasers that UD requested. I worked with the laser curtains first, sectioning off two portions of the room. Then I moved to creating the CAD part of the hand held laser. The shape of it was basic and there wasn’t too much detail to focus on, the main challenge was the tube connecting the laser to the rest of its assembly. Once it was fully refined, I focused on getting the part into an appropriate location in the room. Another skill I obtained through this process was creating well rendered images of my creations in the PTC Creo software I am using.
Day 6
Building off of the hand held laser and the current room foundation, I could direct my attention to the robotics laser. This part of the Laser Lab project was where my skills were truly tested. I only had a picture to base my model off of. And this was a pretty detailed mechanism. I was able to create the model in separate pieces and assemble them to create an interactive movement. After displaying my interactive model to the fascinated group of UDRI workers, I integrated it into my model. Polished it with a rendered image.
Day 7
Today I am required to present my completion of the Laser Lab project and my work process. I demonstrated the drawings I created in in my engineering notebook and added them in the PowerPoint alongside the final CAD model. Then I added another slide with the final products, rendered images of the Lab that could be used for marketing purposes. Expressed that presenting models in terms of public attraction played a role in my growth in the rendering and digital interaction.
Day 8
The Sandstone prints for the BEAST project got delivered today, it was great to see the model come alive. The quality of print was perfect and I discovered that it’s a bit fragile, but perfect for its use. I also started an entirely new project today, working with UDRI’s Energy Experience Center. Built as an energy management system with a smart home and other components. I started to CAD a few of the pieces from the project, starting with a battery system.
Day 9
Continued working on the Energy Experience Center, been presented a halt with associability to models for the UDRI employee this project falls under is temporally out of town. Meaning I wrap of what I have and will be doing smaller tasks for employees like shredding papers until I get a new project tomorrow.
Day 10
I have been introduced to a new project specifically made for the student interns. We are renovating an Allis-Chalmers G tractor, a simple model from the 40’s, and making it all electric. Since the model is [aged] the tractor isn’t exactly to modern standards. With this renovation we are able to redesign the tools and potentially manufacture them to our own design. That’s where I come in, below is a CAD model I created of the original plow Allis-Chalmers plow attachment. With the addition of a few of adjustments UDRI employees and I developed spanning from the shape of one of the bar alignments, to the use of cotter pins as an attentional weak point, so it will break when put under exceeding force.
Internship Reflection
I am currently working alongside The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) during both the summer of 2015 and 2016. This was not only a new experience for me, but also for UDRI, since I am part of the first group of high school interns employed at the facility.
During this experience, I have been surrounded by researchers working on projects that could impact our world on a global scale. They are focused on delivering innovative engineering solutions spanning from Additive 3D printing to Laser Labs. Not only is it their job, but it is their life. Our lunches are filled discussing topics from bio charge to Tesla power walls. It didn’t take long to determine that this is the best place for me, an aspiring Mechanical Engineer, to gain a practical work experience. Of which I have with this opportunity.
The projects I work on here can vary from who gets ahold of high school intern first. The initial job I contributed to, was the Joint Base San Antonio BEAST (Base Expeditionary Airmen Service Training) While UDRI have already developed solutions to revise the camp in the most energy efficient way possible, it was my job to demonstrate those changes in a 3D printed model. What made my work even more important was the fact these models were going to be presented at UDRI, given to Head Quarters, and even one on the desk of a Texas General, I wanted it to be as close to polished as possible.
I worked with PTC Creo CAD software to develop models from a series of pictures. This process, building virtual models based off of perspective, was a challenge that I did overcome with practice. After making a few parts and then revising what I had, I started to get really good at scaling and using the provided dimensions to its furthest extent.
Once my files were approved I looked into types of 3D Prints, which was an entertaining expansion to my previous knowledge on 3D printing. I discovered Sandstone Printing which had a few advantages that appealed to me, one of which was the detail that can be caught in a sandstone model. In addition, it can preserve a range of color that adds to the professionalism of a piece. The only flaw I could find was it would be more fragile compared to a plastic figure. However, considering its only being used for demonstration purposes, it worked perfectly.
I then learned how to get quotes from local businesses, the order was made and the models were shipped to UD a few days after. When I have my final product, I then present it to the Researchers I was working for so my work can be implemented into the project. This really helps build my professional communication with peers and adults. A skill that can be exercised throughout my entire career.
A project that I am currently working on was specifically made for the student interns. We are renovating an Allis-Chalmers G tractor, a simple model from the 40’s, and making it all electric. Since the model was made so long ago, the tractor isn’t exactly to modern standards. With this renovation we are able to redesign the tools and potentially manufacture them to our own design. That’s where I come in, so far I have created of the original plow Allis-Chalmers plow attachment. With the addition of a few of adjustments UDRI employees and I developed spanning from the shape of one of the bar alignments, to the use of cotter pins as an attentional weak point, so it will break when put under exceeding force.
The other interns and I are planning to add look into brushless AC motors, determine a control system, integrate hydraulics and add in a GPS system that is accurate to the centimeter. Our work will then be tested and used at a local farm. If it works, we look into how to make it a bit cheaper and then we can promote our solution to other farmers. That alone is all can be asked for, to see it work and perform the actions we built it up to do.
To develop a solution like that is truly in response to working here, its opening a new mindset with my engineering experience. I look forward to continuing this experience throughout this summer. This is because the more I attend and put the effort to complete project after project, the more I learn and build on the skills I currently have. I am continuously adding to my confidence that mechanical engineering is my path.