1. 4
Figure 9. Part of Programmable Logic Controller’s (PLC) RSLogix 5000
Ladder Logic Program.
Figure 8. Side View of System on Stand-By.
CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY SAN LUIS OBISPO
ACHIEVEMENTS
AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
 9-time Dean’s List Awardee
 3-time Project Design Awardee
 2-time President’s List Awardee
 2011 Cordner Gibson & Ace Smith
Scholarship Recipient
 2010 Cal Poly Triathlon Rick Ellison
Leadership Recipient
 2009 Partner Scholars Scholarship Recipient
SPECIALTY COURSES
 Applied Finite Element Analysis
 Composite Materials Analysis & Design
 Energy Conversion
 German I, II, and III
 Manufacturing Processes: Net Shape
(Casting), Material Removal (Mills & Lathes),
and Material Joining (Welding)
 Manufacturing Automation
PROJECTS
While in school, I completed 18 engineering projects. I featured four below and a summary of all others in Table 1.
ALTERNATIVE SHAVER FOR THE VISUALLY-IMPAIRED APR – JUN 2012
Team: Andrew Wood and Shawn Jafari | Advisor: Y.C. Yong | Presentation: http://bit.ly/AlternativeShaver |
Award: Most Unique Design in Class
Our professor tasked us with identifying &
solving an entirely unique problem. After
brainstorming and reviewing ideas with him,
our team tackled creating a shaver for the
visually-impaired. We spent time researching
our market, developing concepts using Play-
Doh, and getting feedback from our peers.
We fabricated two iterations using
SolidWorks models and a Rapid Prototyping
machine. In the end, we proved – through
an in-class demonstration – that our design
could provide a clean shave.
AUTOMATED MAILBOX MAY – JUN 2013
Advisors: Jose A. Macedo, Ph.D., P.E. and Nick Sweeney | Presentation: http://youtu.be/YG58cd0hjt8 |
Report: http://bit.ly/AutomatedMailbox | Award: Most Original Design in Class
Figure 7. SolidWorks 3-D Model Section
View of our Design.
Figure 6. Our First Iteration Made with
the Rapid Prototyping Machine.

2. 5
Figure 11. Load versus Displacement Curve from Compression Testing
Used to Determine Structural Stiffness.
Dr. Macedo asked us to come up with a project that applied the course’s knowledge as well as solved a challenging
problem using a PLC system with sensors, air piston-cylinders, and other provided equipment. I took an old
mailbox and automated it. The mechanical design used metal links, hemp string, and the piston-cylinders. Magnetic
& light sensors and buttons opened & closed the mailbox as well as detected mail. I used the ladder logic code-style
for the program. All in all the system worked very well.
HOLLOW COMPOSITE WING SPAR MAY – JUN 2013
Team: Dylan Cisneros, Eugene Sio, and Thomas Matzinger | Advisors: Joseph D. Mello, Ph.D. and Kurt Colvin,
Ph.D.| Presentation: http://bit.ly/CompositeWingSpar
The objective of this project was to determine if the conventional, ribbed wing spar design could be replaced with a
hollow wing spar design if composite materials were used. Our team of four students had three weeks to conceive,
build, and test a design before we presented on it in front of the class. We started by analyzing different ply
configurations in MATLAB®. We supplemented these with hand calculations and Finite Element Analysis. We
fabricated the strongest configuration using carbon fiber cloth & unidirectional sheets, 3M matrix & adhesives, and
aluminum molds. We tested our final layup in a modified three-point bending test, which resulted in an earlier-than-
expected failure. We concluded that our mathematical models did not properly address the system’s complexity and
that a significant redesign would be required.
TEAM NATHAN SUSPENSION SYSTEM OCT 2013 – OCT 2014
Team: Alex Seitz and Justin Bautista | Advisor: Sarah Harding | Report: http://bit.ly/TeamNathanSuspension
An 8-yr-old boy, Nathan, with Spinal Muscular Atrophy was using a
wheelstand (mobility device) called the Standing Dani™ and was
experiencing discomfort & bruising when going over rough terrain. Our
team decided to re-design the system’s bottom frame and design a better
suspension. We studied existing suspension design and created a concept.
After reviewing the concept with our client, advisor, and peers, we
created our final design with SolidWorks engineering drawings, including
full dimensions and materials. We sourced our parts from local stores
and online retailers. The final design was fabricated in a machine shop
using power tools, welding, and other methods. We developed our own
tests based on customer requirements and our engineering specifications.
After testing, we found our new suspension improved performance up to
42% over the original Standing Dani. In addition, we were able to add
two new features that the client wanted: a Polycarbonate arm rest and a
reclining mechanism for Nathan. Figure 12. Our Final Design before Being
Outfitted with the Existing Body Support System.
Figure 10. MATLAB® Code (Left), MATLAB® Graphs
(Middle), and Stress Schematics (Right).

3. 6
Table 1. Summary of Technical Projects Completed at Cal Poly with their Associated Skills & Awards.
Project Name/Skill End Date
Duration(mo.)
Ideation&Sketching
EngineeredDesign
3-DCADModeling*
EngineeringDrawings*
EngineeringAnalysis†
Fabrication‡
Testing§
ReportWriting
Presentation
Team
Interdisciplinary
Awards
Mechanical Systems
Team Nathan
Suspension System
Oct 2014 12 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Hollow Composite
Wing Spar
Jun 2013 1 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Oil Platform
Expansion Loop
Deflection
Mar 2013 2 ● ● ● ●
Alternative Shaver for
the Visually-Impaired
Jun 2012 3 ● ● ● ● ● ●
Most Unique Design in
Class
Easier-to-Use Tent Dec 2010 3 ● ● ● ● ● ● Best in Class - Runner-Up
Toggle Clamp Design Dec 2010 2 ● ● ● ● ●
Theme Park Frame &
Machine Problems
Dec 2010 2 ● ● ● ● ● ●
Aluminum-Casted
Medallion
Jul 2010 1 ● ● ● ● ●
Design, Build, and Fly
Competition
Apr 2010 7 ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Fifth Place (Out of 70
International Competitors)
Optimum Angle
Projectiles
Mar 2010 3 ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Glider & Rocket
Design
Dec 2009 3 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Air Motor Modeling Dec 2009 1 ● ● ● ● ●
Thermofluid Systems
Chiller & Thermal
Energy Storage Tank
Mar 2014 3 ● ● ● ● ●
Campus Boiler System Nov 2011 2 ● ● ● ●
Campus Water Main
Pipe Flow System
Jun 2011 2 ● ● ● ●
Electromechanical Systems
Automated Mailbox Jun 2013 1 ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Most Original Design in
Class
Agricultural Pump
Irrigation System
Jun 2013 2 ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Rope Power Ascender Dec 2012 3 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
* Programs used include SolidWorks, Pro/E, and AutoCAD®
† Includes hand calculations, programming (MATLAB®, Simulink, and RSLogix 5000), Finite Element Analysis (ABAQUS), and MS Excel
‡ Done using hand tools, prototyping, or in a machine shop. Materials include PVC, plastic, metal, wood, and composites.
§ Includes use of industrial machines, self-built rigs, a Design Verification Plan & Report (DVP&R), Accelerometers, and MS Office