A Mechanical Engineering Transfer Student’s Senior Design Project
Mechanical engineering is one major at Auburn University that is so enticing that even transfer students will come to Auburn to be a part of it. One transfer student, Corey Carlson, came to Auburn after attending Faulkner State College for two years.
During Carlson’s first year of college, he decided to work towards earning a degree in mechanical engineering. He came to Auburn University in his junior year and has been finishing up his classes for his graduation in the spring of 2010.
“I was always good at math and science,” Carlson said. “Since I had to pick a major, I chose mechanical engineering because I figured if someone else can do it, I can.”
Carlson’s favorite classes have been statistics and dynamics, physics and heat transfer. The heat transfer course was an application course. It required that you apply your knowledge from previous classes and build on it.
The senior design project is the capstone course for mechanical engineering majors. It lasts for two back to back semesters and requires students to work together in a group to design something.
The projects can range from testing and balancing commercial air conditioning units, building a lawnmower programmed to cut grass by itself, to creating faster bullets. Carlson’s project is with Miller Inc. Towing Company in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Carlson’s group’s job is to design a power wrap system for winch cables for the towing company’s trucks. The current method being used has plenty of room to improve.
The senior design group is coming up with designs that eliminate waste. They looked at how the power cable currently winds up the winch and pulls the truck up.
Their goal is to evaluate what to do to save time for the forklift to make it more efficient. They first have to measure the tension in the cable as it wraps. Then, the six guys separate into three groups and come up with a total of six designs. Once the designs have been created they evaluate which ones they want to implement.
The group meets two to three times each week. This totals to around six hours of group work. The team has a $1,000 budget to use for machining parts such as bolts.
The course focuses largely on what students have learned from machine design and mechanics & materials. They have the knowledge to design springs, fastening devices and pressure vessels. They must also understand how to implement the right equations.
The second semester will require Carlson’s group to improve upon their first semester’s design or create an even better one. Although they will have to travel to Tennessee, the engineering department takes good care of its students.
“They pay us 50 cents for each mile to cover our gas expenses,” Carlson said. “They also give us $30 for food if we don’t have a receipt, but up to $60 for food if we bring one. The department also pays for the expense of our hotel if we need to stay overnight.”
Carlson plans on working as a mechanical engineer in his hometown Mobile, Ala. or in Pensacola.
“I would like to be near my friends and family, and still be able to branch out and meet other people too,” Carlson said.
Carlson recommends that you come straight to Auburn University if you know what you want to do. This way you will learn the ropes quicker and not lose your GPA when you transfer.
“You must have good study habits, and you have to make good use of your time. Don’t give into peer pressure about going out with your friends when you know you still have homework to do,” Carlson said.
He also suggests that you find a group of friends in your major that you can call when you have questions. Being able to study together also helps make you more prepared for when the test days arise.
“Going to your professors is definitely helpful,” Carlson said. “Always ask them questions if you don’t understand something.”
Carlson plays intramural soccer and flag football. He goes mountain biking on the weekends in Tuskegee and loves riding his motorcycle. Playing Xbox, tennis and basketball are other activities that Carlson enjoys.
“It is more of a challenge to make yourself study when you’re surrounded by so many fun things to do,” Carlson said.
During Carlson’s first year of college, he decided to work towards earning a degree in mechanical engineering. He came to Auburn University in his junior year and has been finishing up his classes for his graduation in the spring of 2010.
“I was always good at math and science,” Carlson said. “Since I had to pick a major, I chose mechanical engineering because I figured if someone else can do it, I can.”
Carlson’s favorite classes have been statistics and dynamics, physics and heat transfer. The heat transfer course was an application course. It required that you apply your knowledge from previous classes and build on it.
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The senior design project is the capstone course for mechanical engineering majors. It lasts for two back to back semesters and requires students to work together in a group to design something.
The projects can range from testing and balancing commercial air conditioning units, building a lawnmower programmed to cut grass by itself, to creating faster bullets. Carlson’s project is with Miller Inc. Towing Company in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Carlson’s group’s job is to design a power wrap system for winch cables for the towing company’s trucks. The current method being used has plenty of room to improve.
The senior design group is coming up with designs that eliminate waste. They looked at how the power cable currently winds up the winch and pulls the truck up.
Their goal is to evaluate what to do to save time for the forklift to make it more efficient. They first have to measure the tension in the cable as it wraps. Then, the six guys separate into three groups and come up with a total of six designs. Once the designs have been created they evaluate which ones they want to implement.
The group meets two to three times each week. This totals to around six hours of group work. The team has a $1,000 budget to use for machining parts such as bolts.
The course focuses largely on what students have learned from machine design and mechanics & materials. They have the knowledge to design springs, fastening devices and pressure vessels. They must also understand how to implement the right equations.
The second semester will require Carlson’s group to improve upon their first semester’s design or create an even better one. Although they will have to travel to Tennessee, the engineering department takes good care of its students.
“They pay us 50 cents for each mile to cover our gas expenses,” Carlson said. “They also give us $30 for food if we don’t have a receipt, but up to $60 for food if we bring one. The department also pays for the expense of our hotel if we need to stay overnight.”
Carlson plans on working as a mechanical engineer in his hometown Mobile, Ala. or in Pensacola.
“I would like to be near my friends and family, and still be able to branch out and meet other people too,” Carlson said.
Carlson recommends that you come straight to Auburn University if you know what you want to do. This way you will learn the ropes quicker and not lose your GPA when you transfer.
“You must have good study habits, and you have to make good use of your time. Don’t give into peer pressure about going out with your friends when you know you still have homework to do,” Carlson said.
He also suggests that you find a group of friends in your major that you can call when you have questions. Being able to study together also helps make you more prepared for when the test days arise.
“Going to your professors is definitely helpful,” Carlson said. “Always ask them questions if you don’t understand something.”
Carlson plays intramural soccer and flag football. He goes mountain biking on the weekends in Tuskegee and loves riding his motorcycle. Playing Xbox, tennis and basketball are other activities that Carlson enjoys.
“It is more of a challenge to make yourself study when you’re surrounded by so many fun things to do,” Carlson said.
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