MAE Fall 2022 Capstone Projects // Mizzou Engineering

Jan 06, 2024

December 20, 2022

Students in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering work together in a semester-long capstone project to design, manufacture and test products. The experience gives students the hands-on preparation to be successful after graduation.

This past semester featured eight different MAE capstone groups, including teams that created an automated tire pressure regulation system for bikes, a fishing lure retrieval system and a lifting device for utility terrain vehicles.

Bike BuddyOne of the capstone groups, Bike Buddy, wanted to create an integrated automated pressure regulation system for bikes that consistently monitors and maintains tire pressure to alleviate flat or low-pressure tires at inopportune times. The goal was to make a device that fits all front and rear bikes and is capable of sustaining a tire pressure of up to 120 PSI.

Bike Buddy developed a product that attaches to hub of a wheel. A pressure gauge monitors the air pressure and a CO2 cannister supplies air to fill the tire.

The Golden RetrieverAnother capstone group saw the need for a fishing lure retrieval system. Traditional lures are expensive and usually made of plastic, which can be harmful to ecosystems, while the hooks can hurt wildlife. Additionally, they frequently get caught in trees or bushes. The Golden Retriever aimed to create a device that retrieves lures, which would save money and preserve environmental impacts.

They developed a telescoping rod that is extendable up to 12 feet and a number of modular head attachments, including bucket shears, clamp, magnetic claw, fishing net and a storage bag.

The Highered HandThe group the Highered Hand set out to design and build a lifting device for utility terrain vehicles (UTV) that loads heavy objects into the bed of the UTV. They saw the need to create something that attached to the hitch of the vehicle and can be stored when the UTV is in motion.

The product needed to have a lift capacity of 300 points, use existing UTV power source and hydraulic hook-ups, be easy to install and able to perform in all outdoor environments.

Ultimately, the Highered Hand's device functioned well, lifted 450 pounds, compacts for portability during driving and only needs one operator to use. However, it was difficult to install.

Below are all capstone projects from the Fall 2022 semester. Take a few moments to learn how mechanical engineers develop solutions to engineering problems.

Group: Window-MaticTeam Members: Brian Huhman, Joseph Martin, Matthew Tranor, Eric Wiseman, Holden Carroll and Jordan PetersonObjective: Develop a product to automate the process of opening windows without the customer having to physically open them themselves

Group: Bike BuddyTeam Members: Alaina DiCarlo, Cassidy Viox, Remington Wilson, Abram Benson, Alex Trout and Taylor LewisObjective: Create an integrated, automated pressure regulation system for bikes that consistently monitors and maintains tire pressure

Group: The Twilight BarTeam Members: Edgar Pithua Olet, Zach Cissell, Austin Garrison, Jacob Polly, Hunter Weedman and Ziqi WangObjective: Create an inexpensive extendable and retractable light bar system for tractors and off-road vehicles that is weather resistant, compact and lightweight

Group: NosCorpTeam Members: Aleksandr Buechter, Pavel Buechter, Kendall Feist, Logan Graham and Seth TateObjective: Develop a system capable of supplying nitrous oxide as an oxidizer for the testing of hybrid rocket motors

Group: FastrackTeam Members: Rafferty Brown, Caelen Morgret, Kionte Lewis, Alex Immel, Thomas Bonvoisin and Anthony MartinObjective: Create an affordable modular bike rack attachment that can be mounted to bike racks

Group: Aqua ForceTeam Members: Vito Bianco, Samantha Drainer, Taryn Fogarty, Hunter Hoelscher, Sam Kaplan and Adam ReddyObjective: Design and built a height adjustable undercarriage cleaning pressure washer attachment

Group: The Golden RetrieverTeam Members: Jimmy Kaufman, Dylan Dixson, Jacob Hewlett, Frank Barry, Cody Sikorski and Ethan VerhulstObjective: Create a fishing lure retrieval system

Group: The Highered HandTeam Members: Andrew Slater, Alexis Rinck, Josh Hellebusch, Tom Kabrick and Zane LadyObjective: Design and build a lifting device to load objects into the bed of a UTV that is attached to the hitch and can be stored when the UTV is in motion