As part of the structure of the capstone design projects each team has a single client for which the team works with throughout the progression of the project. For our project specifically the client is Perry Wood who is the advisor for the Northern Arizona University student section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Below is further details about our client Perry Wood.
This projects client is Perry Wood, a lecturer at Northern Arizona University and the advisor for the student section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Perry Wood has been the section advisor for eight years and this will be his fifth year being the client for a capstone human powered vehicle project. He is currently working to finish his PhD. In addition Perry Wood is also responsible for the Northern Arizona University Machine Shop and teaches Computer-Aided Design. Working with Perry Wood has been instrumental to the project’s success. Between his prior knowledge, his willingness to go above and beyond to help and his infectious enthusiasm, the team has been fortunate to work with such an outstanding client.
For our capstone team we assembled a team of six seniors in mechanical engineering to design, build and compete a human powered vehicle for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Human Powered Vehicle Challenge in April 2014. Our team has members who excell at team management, bicycle design, manufacturing, and engineering design.Check out each team members bio giving a brief background and contact info.
Phillip Kinsley, from Portland, Oregon, is a senior in Mechanical Engineering at Northern Arizona University. He is on track to graduate in May 2014 and plans to pursue a job in the Mechanical field after graduation. Phillip is an active member in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers section at NAU, having been President of the section in 2012-2013 and a co-lead of the Human Powered Vehicle team that year as well. He is currently an officer for the section responsible for speakers and events and is the project lead for this year’s HPVC team. After graduation Phillip is looking to pursue a career in the field of mechanical product design and manufacturing.
Erik Nelson, from Higley, Arizona, is a senior Mechanical Engineering student at Northern Arizona Universty, he will graduate in May of 2014. Erik has spent most of his life infatuated with all forms of racing that derive propulsive energy from human power. ASME's Human Powered Vehicle Challenge was an immediate attraction and Erik has been involved with every HPVC team since the beginning of his education at NAU, including leading the highly successful 2013 team. Erik brings to the table his cycling experience and previous internship work with human electric hybrid vehicles. Erik plans to pursue jobs in a variety of industries while also considering graduate school opportunities.
Alex Hawley, from Scottsdale, Arizona, is a student at Northern Arizona University and he is studying Mechanical Engineering. He is on track to graduate in December of 2014 and hopes to find a career in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering . Alex is a member in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers section at NAU, he has worked previously on the Human Powered Vehicle team and is currently working on the same project for his senior design project. He is currently the steering lead for this year’s HPVC team. Alex has experience in manufacturing is looking for a career in mechanical design or manufacturing.
Heather Kutz, from Scottsdale, Arizona, is a student at Northern Arizona University and she is currently in her fourth year. She is majoring in mechanical engineering and is expected to graduate in December of 2014. Heather participated in the design, build, and competition of the human powered vehicle for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers during the spring of 2013 and is now working on the same project for a senior design class. She is currently the lead of the ergonomics design section and is a secondary lead for the frame design. There are a wide variety of mechanical engineering fields that are of interest to Heather, but she hopes to focus on renewable energy sources in the future.
Kevin Montoya is currently a senior at Northern Arizona University studying Mechanical Engineering and Chemistry. He is expected to graduate with both degrees in the fall of 2014. Although born in northern California but he has lived most of his life in Goodyear, Arizona. Mr. Montoya has been an active member of ASME and has assisted in the previous HPVC by analyzing and building the fairing. His work experience ranges from customer service at hardware stores to engineering work with Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station and Northern Arizona University. With the completion of his degree, Kevin plans on entering the design, manufacturing, or composites industry to further his learning and assist in the growth of technology.
Matt Gerlich, from Pinetop, Arizona, is a senior in Mechanical Engineering at Northern Arizona University. He is on track to graduate in May 2014. Matt is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He participated in the design and building of the human powered vehicle for fall of 2012, and the building of the spring 2013 vehicle. After graduation, Matt plans to pursue a career in the aerospace or space industry, and obtain a graduate degree.
As part of NAU’s Mechanical Engineering progression plan it is required for students in their senior year to complete a design project. The design project is used to demonstrate and apply all of the knowledge gained through our years in the engineering program. Our team selected the ASME Human Powered Vehicle Challenge as our design project. Go here to find out more about the ASME Human Powered Vehicle Challenge.
ASME’s Human Powered Vehicle Challenge provides university students a competitive environment to apply engineering design to the development of sustainable transportation. The competition focuses on the innovative design of a practical vehicle that can not only travel at high speeds, but also carry goods over long distances in an urban environment. During the competition, the team will be competing in multiple events that evaluate the design, innovation, endurance, and speed of the vehicle. The team will be required to write a report that describes the engineering analysis and work that went into the design of the overall vehicle. Read more...
