Four NDSU mechanical engineering seniors have developed a project that lets them take careful aim at the skills they need for successful careers.
The students – Corban Herman, Paul Sayler, Lane Ulmer and Jonah Zimmerman – have developed the 智能摇摆器套件, an innovative tool for people who love hunting or trap shooting. The project was completed under the supervision of Alan Kallmeyer, professor and chair of mechanical engineering.
The 智能摇摆器套件 is believed to be the first of its kind.
“Our goal was to create a totally new experience for the tech-savvy, back-40 trap shooter who wants to take their game to the next level,齐默尔曼说, 谁是黑森人, 北达科他.
The kit enables the auto trap to throw targets at random trajectories, giving shooters more challenging and realistic scenarios. Fabricated from sheet metal, the device has two motors used for both horizontal and vertical motion.
Teamwork was a key ingredient in the project’s planning and development. “我设计了钣金部件, Paul did gears and machined components, Lane采购库存零件, 焊接, 并完成了所有的摄像工作. Corban was our electronics and programming guy,” Zimmerman said. “But none of this happened in a vacuum. Each decision from the design to the final build was vetted by all team members. Our roles were fluid throughout the entire process. If there was a need, someone stepped in.”
The students experienced the entire engineering design process, from the first glimmer of an idea to the final product. As they worked, they got a taste of nearly everything they can expect in the professional world.
“I learned how to work as a team with guys who all have different strengths. I was also challenged to grow in project management skills, especially as deadlines for important milestones tended to coincide,赫尔曼说。, 谁是从Champlin来的, 明尼苏达州, 并计划在美国.S. Navy career after he graduates in the spring. “With me taking the lead on the electronics, I was definitely challenged to grow in an area outside of my immediate major. These kinds of cross-competency challenges provided quite a bit of value to me.”
Meanwhile, Sayler describes the potential of the Smart Wobbler as limitless. “It’s something new in an industry that doesn’t see many fresh ideas – the random motion keeps the sportsman on his or her toes,塞勒说。, 他来自法戈. “And the project also really helped give us a well-rounded perspective of what mechanical design requires.”
“I will take everything I learned during this project and my college career and be able to use it every day at work,乌尔默说。, who has accepted a position with Applied Engineering, 俾斯麦, 北达科他.
“I would definitely suggest NDSU to a person who is looking for a very affordable and highly successful mechanical engineering program. I transferred in after receiving my associate’s degree from Itasca Community College,乌尔默说。, 谁在湖公园长大, 明尼苏达州. “I was able to make a seamless transition. When I got here I had no problem finding friends to hang out or study with, and the faculty was very willing to help.”
他们的建议? NDSU可能是你正确的选择.
“NDSU has given me a start on my professional skills toolbox. 通过NDSU, I have learned how to systematically solve problems,齐默尔曼说, 谁将在斗山山猫工作, 俾斯麦, 北达科他, 毕业后. “I have a good foundation to build off of as I enter the real world.”
Herman agrees, noting his professors have challenged him to be a better student. “我会推荐NDSU, 特别是对于工程, 因为有可靠的教授, great connections to local companies and excellent student clubs and organizations to drive your personal and career development.”
And Sayler said NDSU helped him develop a better mindset on how to approach life, as he prepares to begin his career at Red E, 法戈. “My experience here showed me how to learn, how to better solve problems I encounter and how to engage with others in a meaningful way,他说. “我会推荐NDSU in a heartbeat.”
瞄准你的事业. 今天就申请NDSU.
