An Industry-University Collaboration Experience on a Senior Project

Abstract

Students working toward a baccalaureate degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Technology at the University of Cincinnati are required to complete a “Design, Build, and Test” senior capstone design project. Some of these capstone design projects are done in collaboration with industries to meet their needs. One of the projects during 2009–2010 academic year is to meet the needs of the packaging industry. The student team will design and recommend a specialized End of Arm Tool for palletizing applications. They will build a scaled model and the industrial sponsor may build the full product at the later date. A team of three students from Mechanical Engineering Technology at the University of Cincinnati are working on this project, which gives them an opportunity to showcase the knowledge and skills learned in their coursework and during the co-op (cooperative) experience, as well as to develop the additional skills needed to be successful in a team oriented business world. This team is working on a technically complex project from concept-to-design, build, test, and then to have the possibility of their product being used in commercial applications. This paper will give a description of the MET senior capstone design course sequence at University of Cincinnati and the list of pre-requisites for the capstone design sequence. It will also describe the design of 2009–2010 End of Arm Tool (EOAT) project and the plans for building a scaled model. Included too, is a description of how Industry-University Collaboration can improve student learning.