Manufacturing Engineering (2nd)

These projects are at the endpoint of a two-semester sequence. They are functionally complete.

Towable Solar Energy System

Sponsor: Speir Innovations 

Student Team: Colton Marek, Jacob Nicoson, Preston Waterman, Jay Osmond, Michael Herrera

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Austin Talley

The purpose of this project is to create a solar trailer that can replace the typical internal combustion engine generator. The need for this comes from the growing demand for environmentally friendly energy solutions. A normal engine generator is extremely noisy and produces a considerable amount of emissions. However, a generator that is powered by the sun is superior in the sense that it produces minimal noise, zero emissions, and eliminates the need for refueling. The goal of this project is to design and fabricate a modification for a standard 16’ utility trailer that will produce enough power for two days of use while simultaneously allowing for easy, one-person setup, takedown, and providing safe transportation of the unit.

Solar Shade

Sponsor: Terra Solar

Student Team: Daniel Martinez, Brooke Illig, Staci Dindinger, Luis Rivas 

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Austin Talley 

This project is focused on optimizing the assembly of the solar shade canopy. Terra Solar would also like us to work on the overall design of product to improve the quality and anchoring, as well as ensure the product can be easily transported. Lastly our final goal is to ensure that the canopy is aesthetically pleasing to the consumer while also being adjustable, stable, and affordable.  

Process Design For Recycling HDPE in Product Manufacturing

Sponsor: Hunt & Hunt, LTD 

Student Team: Juan Nieto, Sofia Murcia, Ahmed Matlum, Pablo Rodriguez  

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Austin Talley 

Recycling High-Density Polyethylene commonly known as HDPE will help reduce pollution and create new businesses in our community. This project is focused on designing a process to transform post-consumer HDPE into a casted product representative of Texas State University and our sponsor. HDPE can be recycled up to 10 times which will increase the product lifecycle by 10 times. The team will conduct research, testing and manufacture the respective molds to develop a simplified and robust process that future student generations will use in the Ingram Hall Makerspace to manufacture their very own product from recycled HDPE. 

Makerspace Cutting Safety

Sponsor: Texas State University

Student Team: Tatiyanna Bardwell, Miguel Bello, Michigan Bell, Roberto Guerra 

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Austin Talley 

The Industrial Makerspace is a collaborative academic space for learning and inventing, located on the First floor in the Bruce and Gloria Ingram Hall. Currently, there are minimal safety protocols in place that can be easily removed while using the machines. The goal for our project is to design and create enhanced safety measures for the Torchmate 4400 and the WardJet. The safety features we install will create a safer working environment for all who are in or around the industrial makerspace. This will be done by providing visual barriers and lockouts on both machines when the safety measures are not being used. 

City of Kyle: Sign Design

Sponsor: City of Kyle: Public Works  

Student Team: Tanner Whitson, Christian Doty, Ethan De La Torre 

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Austin Talley 

The City of Kyle Public Works Department requests, with all possible expedition, the fabrication of a motioned public sign operating under a high safety factor. The demand is based on civil developments near the roundabout off of I-35 leading to the Burleson & Marketplace intersection. The project should be designed such that it reduces the cost of any aforementioned design, while still functioning according to design parameters. The sponsor and City of Kyle residents will benefit from reduced cost methods and a cost efficient design.