Mechanical Engineering Graduate Leads Award-Winning Capstone Team

Capstone team 23021 took home two awards at the 2023 Craig M. Berge Design Day for their work designing and prototyping a medical-grade spigot to reduce safety hazards in laboratories, as existing systems can leak dangerous chemicals.  The team won the $500 Ergo Dave Award for Best Use of Human Factors Engineering and the $500 AZ Technica Award for Manufacturing Readiness.

According to team lead and mechanical engineering graduate Daniel Ramos Flores, team 23021 formed three subgroups for the project: design, testing and logistics. Using computer-assisted design, 3D fabrication, and chemical testing, the team enjoyed a variety of real-world experience.

“Our differentiating factor was the comprehensive package we developed, which included all necessary drawings, standards, and cost information for our sponsor,” Flores said. “Our goal was to hand off the project to the sponsor, enabling them to begin production seamlessly, which we achieved successfully.”

Flores says that through strong communication, a clear division of labor, and dedication to the work, the team made consistent progress throughout the project.

Roche supported the team by reviewing their work through each milestone and allowed the students to use their machine shops and laboratories.

“The team was incredibly fortunate to have Roche as a sponsor for this project. Their unwavering support, valuable guidance, and abundant resources played a crucial role in our success,” Flores said.