Category: Uncategorized

Team BAJA SAE

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Project name Baja SAE
Project Title Design and Manufacturing of a Baja SAE Off-Road Vehicle
Abstract Baja SAE is a collegiate competition that originated from the University of South Carolina in 1976 and has since grown to be a premier engineering design competition for university teams. The Baja SAE design team has been tasked with designing, fabricating, and testing the powertrain, frame, and suspension components for a Baja SAE buggy. Some components of this project were started by the ASME club on campus, as well as a previous senior design team. This year’s senior design team was tasked with redesigning the previous powertrain and designing the frame and suspension components. The team worked closely with the ASME club to try to get a fully functioning buggy by the end of the year. This task has proven to be challenging, but one the team feels is possible with a lot of dedication and hard work as a team. The final design choices made by the team were modeled in SolidWorks to get an idea of spacing and overall design constraints before moving to the manufacturing stage.
Faculty advisor Dr. Afsoon Amirzadeh Goghari
Sponsor American Society of Mechanical Engineering, Club Faculty Advisor Dr. Hamed Samandari
Team lead Cameron Fitton
Team Members Elias Medeiros, Kyle Montague, Fellipe Rouillard, Andrew Boardman
Video link https://www.umassd.edu/feature-stories/2023/asme-baja.html

Team Wave Sonics

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Project Name Team Wave Sonics
Project Title Fluid Wave Sonics Team: Development and Precision Calibration of Wave Generating System
Abstract This spring, Team Wave Sonics was tasked with calibrating and testing a wave generator designed by the previous 2022 Team Wave. This project will contribute to offshore wind turbine testing conducted in the UMass-Dartmouth Fluid Structure Interactions Laboratory. The FSI Lab houses offshore wind and water tunnels to replicate the ocean environment, providing valuable testing space for wind turbines and wave generators. The addition of the wave generator allows for testing of offshore platforms under current, wind and now, waves. The goal of this project was to derive relationships between the wave generator’s set up and the resulting wave.

Three different variables of the test set up were modified to reveal each variable in relation to the generated wave profile. The variables included modulations to the generator and water tunnel. The plunger depth, plunger velocity, and water flow speed were modified, and the wave characteristics for each modulation were recorded. The recorded characteristics included the wave amplitude, frequency, speed, shape, and dissipation through the tunnel’s test section.

The team developed a measuring technique using four ultrasonic sensors to track the wave profile. A sensor fixture was designed to allow modulation of the sensors positions above the tank. The team added an encoder and digital motor output to better control and track the plunger’s movement. A wire dissipator was added to the end of the test section to reduce wave interference and back flow.

The engineering constraints, sponsor deliverables, and criteria for success guided the project. Preliminary tests revealed issues with motor speed inconsistency and wave interference. The legal and ethical considerations included waterproofing electronics and patent examination. The societal impacts prove positive due to renewable energy applications, while negative environmental impacts are minimal within the contained lab space but must be considered in offshore applications.

In summary, this project aims to advance wave energy research and contribute to cleaner energy solutions.
Faculty advisor Dr. Banafsheh Seyed-Aghazadeh
Sponsor FSI lab directed Dr. Banafsheh Seyed-Aghazadeh
Team lead Gabriella Monico
Team Members Chloe Shirikjian, Jordan Breveleri
Video link https://youtu.be/yH7TDUsbK6E

Team Porous

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Project name Team Porous
Project Title Fabrication of porous superhydrophobic surface for fuel-efficient marine vessels
Abstract The objective of Team Porous is to develop a process for the fabrication of porous superhydrophobic surfaces that can be used as samples for research in a laboratory setting.  Superhydrophobicity is a property which is defined as an extreme repulsion to water and is accomplished by combining the effects of surface geometry and material properties of a surface.  A byproduct of superhydrophobic surfaces is that they experience little to no skin drag due to fluid flow over the surface compared to a controlled case.  However, in cases where there is flow over the surface or where the surface is submerged for extended periods of time, water can be forced into the surface geometry which contributes to the superhydrophobic properties which causes the drag reduction to no longer be effective.  The project set out before us was to develop a porous tile which a superhydrophobic coating will be attached to and which allows air to be distributed to the coated surface to displace any water that may have saturated it. We were given this project by Dr. Hangjian Ling, to assist in his research towards using the properties of superhydrophobic surfaces to reduce the drag experienced by marine vessels and improve fuel efficiency.  We have determined that additive manufacturing, specifically Masked Stereolithography (MSLA) using UV sensitive resin, will be the best method of manufacturing the tile within the budgetary, time, and general constraints that we were given. The Tile went through many iterations and different designs over the course of the project as we identified certain techniques and features that made it easier or more difficult to produce the results we wanted. The first design was a “hole grid” with a pattern of small pores that pierced through the entire tile to allow air to pass through, and small posts between them to provide the necessary surface roughness for superhydrophobicity. However, these holes were too small for the printer to reliably create them, and so the design was modified and improved until we reached our current design, which features long slits in the tile, instead of holes, and has ridges serving as the required surface geometry to replace the posts in earlier designs. This improved design is the result of many hours of testing and iterations, and corrects many issues with previous designs, so that it may be able to accomplish the testing that is required of it.
Faculty advisor Professor Hangjian Ling
Sponsor Ling Lab directed by Dr. Hangjian Ling
Team lead Elijah Jope
Team Members Nicholas J Sardinha, John P Viveiros, LeYi (Emily) Chen
Video link https://youtu.be/zxsgQYUYpg4

 

Team ROV

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Project name Team ROV
Project Title Mobile Gateway Buoy
Abstract  Marine exploration relies on innovative technologies to study and understand our oceans. In this pursuit, the design and development of remote-controlled (RC) boats have become an effective tool for engineers and scientists alike. Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) our client, is one of America’s largest shipbuilders and they have shown an interest in marine technologies that involve unmanned marine vehicles (UUVs). In our project we aimed to design and assemble a functional RC boat for HII, which can serve as a link in communication from the user and a UUV during open water missions. The design process began through the understanding of our clients’ objectives and requirements for the vessel which involved accounting for factors such as maneuverability, propulsion systems, communication range, and electrical efficiency. To assess these factors effectively our team conceptualized ideas for designs with varying hull materials, hull shapes, and propulsion systems. The selection process for the vessel was aided using SolidWorks models and mathematical studies of the different hulls to highlight the discrepancies between each design, which allowed for the selection of the most favorable. Once the selection phase was complete, we used marine hydrodynamic equations to ensure effective maneuverability of our hull design by having a limit to our weight capacity. In addition, marine hydrodynamic equations were also used to ensure the vessels’ hydrodynamic performance was optimal when all components were installed during the assembly process.
Faculty advisor Dr. Sankha Bhowmick
Sponsor Brendan Martin
Team lead Michael Koussa
Team Members Josiah Cassidy   Heather Hryzan   Jonathan Rivas Rodriguez
Video link https://youtu.be/B_pD3Huv99U

Team UUV

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Project name Team UUV
Project Title Design, Manufacture, and Test of a 3D Printed Metal UUV Housing
Abstract Huntington Ingalls Industries is the largest shipbuilder in America and an all-domain defense provider for more than 30 countries. The HII team enlisted the help of mechanical engineering students from UMass Dartmouth to redesign a section of housing on their REMUS 300 unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV). The original housing is traditionally machined from aluminum billets, but the team explored the options of metal 3D printing instead. With in-depth research, over 20 SOLIDWORKS design iterations, Finite Element Analysis, and testing of the part, the team demonstrated cost, weight, and performance improvements with the new design. By implementing a grid structure along the inside surface of the housing, and optimizing the overall geometry, the team was able to reduce the weight of the part while preserving its structural integrity, achieving its intended underwater depth pressure resistance. While working with the third-party company 3D Systems, the team designed their own additional supports to help with the feasibility of the print. Printed supports are necessary for certain features of the part to prevent deformities in the print. Any feature hanging at more than a 45° angle requires supports, which are usually added by the manufacturer or designed into the part. By integrating custom lightweight supports into the printed part, printing and labor costs were greatly reduced as the team could machine the supports in the machine shop themselves, instead of the company. Machining stock was also added to all surfaces in the design that required a clean surface finish for testing.

After receiving the printed part, the team utilized the school’s machine shop CNC equipment to machine the printed part to its required dimensions and surface finish. The team then used HII’s on-site hyperbaric pressure tank to conduct an external hydrostatic pressure test to test the viability of the new housing design. Two tests were conducted; one being a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), which is used for common parts within the company, and a Design Verification Test (DVT), which is a more extreme fatigue test used on newly designed parts. Upon the completion of this project, the team’s deliverables to HII included the physical printed prototype, a Critical Design Review, and a final report where the team provided insight on the lessons learned and recommendations for the future design of this 3D printed housing.
Faculty advisor Dr. Vijaya Chalivendra
Sponsor Thomas Waldman
Team lead Natalya Chedid
Team Members Riley Cadogan, Jeremy Chdid, Matthew Gardiner, Tyler Molden
Video link https://youtu.be/OOn6TW1ezME

Team New Gen Profiler

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Project name New Gen Profiler
Project Title The Go Anywhere Profiling Float
Abstract Unmanned underwater autonomous vehicles (UUVs) are an integral tool for studying and understanding the ocean. Profiling floats are a very important type of UUV as they are deployed all over the world and collect critical data for researchers. Profiling floats undergo a ten-day cycle where the descend to 1000m drift for 9 days then descend to 2000m then make their ascend to the surface where they transmit the data. Teledyne Marine is one of the largest suppliers of profiling floats in the industry. However recently they have been losing market share to other competitors. To remain competitive Teledyne wants to fully redesign their buoyancy engine for their profiling float. With this redesign, Teledyne wants to achieve “go anywhere” status meaning they want the buoyancy engine to be able to operate in 80% of the world’s waters. The float will be able to maintain neutral buoyancy, ascend and descend in the densest and freshest waters. To achieve this, we have decided to implement a new pump system and increase the buoyancy within the profiling float replacing their current system. This decision to implement a new design came after conducting a trade study on Teledyne’s current biggest competitors and research. Not only are we going to achieve the “go anywhere” status we are also planning to achieve greater efficiency by reducing power consumption and increasing the lifespan of the float.
Faculty advisor Amit Tandon, Patrick Pasteris
Sponsor Bob Melvin, Teledyne Marine Systems
Team lead Chris Pirie
Team Members Arianna Roberts, Ian Mederios, Tanner Safford
Video link https://youtu.be/uTcxr4hWN3E

Team MADWEC

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Project Name: MADWEC Self-Deploying Ballast System
Project Title: MADWEC 4.0
Abstract: MADWEC 4.0 builds on the efforts of previous years to develop a low cost and easily deployable ocean wave energy converter to harvest the energy stored in ocean waves. Current point absorber wave energy converter designs require high quantities of steel and must be anchored to the seafloor using a spar support structure, leading to high costs and limited deployment capabilities. Developing an alternative to such a structure would significantly reduce material usage and thus cost while also allowing for increased deployment capability in regions too deep for point absorber designs. This is the objective of the Maximal Asymmetric Drag Wave Energy Converter, or MADWEC project. The tasks for this project include designing, building, and testing a self-deploying ballast system that creates the maximum amount of drag possible on the upstroke and the minimum amount when sinking on the downstroke. The asymmetric drag characteristics of this design will allow for the ballast system to function similarly to as if it were anchored to the seafloor by maintaining tension in the connection cable at all times in place of the spar on point absorber designs. This ballast system is specifically designed to fit within at most half the volume of Class A sonobuoy (S-MADWEC), and thus must be collapsable to fit within the interior. Testing of the fabricated design was completed at the SMAST research center to assess its functionality and calculate the total added mass achieved by the design.
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Daniel G. MacDonald, Dr. Medhi Raessi
Sponsors: Dr. Daniel G. MacDonald, Dr. Medhi Raessi
Team Lead: Logan Martelly
Team Members: Logan Martelly, Brian Rawson, Jonathan Galvin, Jared Neikam
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN75QCpjico

Team Clean Hob

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Project name Clean Hob
Project Title Design & Implementation of Hob cleaning Installation
Abstract Acushnet Company’s – Titleist Golf Ball Manufacturing Division Challenged Associate & Team Lead of Titleist’s Engineering & Technology Center, Jeffrey J. Alves Jr., to engineer an improved design of the current hob cleaning & preparation process for his senior design project. One of the company’s core values is driving to innovate. We are always challenging our process, asking the question – is there a better way, and using technology to differentiate us from the competition.

Although the current procedure has been the standard operation in the manufacturing process of our golf ball mold cavities, there are 3 major drawbacks.

1)     The master tooling die, the hob, has a high risk of getting damaged; this results in an obsolete piece of equipment.

2)     The current process is completed manually; this results in machine downtime, directly affecting production volume.

3)     The operation is inconsistent and rejected/defected cups are a direct result of those inconsistencies.

Thus, the newly engineered design must achieve:

|  Automation  |  Repeatability  |  Efficiency  |

Design attributes were accomplished using:

·       Universal Robots UR5 COBOT Robotics.

·       PLC automation from KEYENCE Corp. interlocks & laser sensor detection.

·       Crest Ultrasonics cleaning equipment integrated with Detonox cleaning solution.

·       Custom designed rinse & dry features achieved by fluid mechanics.

The Company will benefit from the result of the newly engineered design in 3 ways:

·       The high risk of damaged hobs will be removed.

·       Production volume will increase.

·       Defected cups will decrease.
Faculty advisor Professor Wenzhen Huang
Sponsor John Romanelli
Team lead Jeffrey J. Alves Jr.
Team Members The following member have contributed to the project during the fall semesters. The capstone course at UMD is a sequential course that students need to take in Fall and Spring. The below members have not made any contributions during the spring semester. The final design and implementation are fully completed by the team lead during the spring semester.

Gabriella Monico, Chloe Shirikjian, Jordan Breveleri
Video link https://youtu.be/yRF_4ZLzXHM