2024 COES Design and Research Conference

Conference Menu

Instrumentation and Control Systems Engineering Technology Senior Projects

Integrated Engineering and Science Building 105.

1:00 p.m.	Thermal Analysis Control System Team Members: Simon Moodie, James Bickham, Chloe Ducote, Jason Dixon Sponsor: Dr. Alam Advisor: Dr. Alam Enhancing the Searle’s Apparatus, a device used for measuring the thermal conductivity of materials. The improvement involves integrating a thermal analysis control system to increase accuracy, efficiency, and automation in temperature measurement and data collection. The implementation of a PID-controlled element to maintain a stable flow rate from the water pump, reducing fluctuations that impact measurement accuracy. Additionally, thermocouple integration ensures precise temperature readings, and data logging capabilities allow real-time monitoring and analysis. By modernizing the Searle’s Apparatus, this project aims to provide a more consistent, automated, and user-friendly solution for thermal conductivity experiments, making it valuable for academic and industrial applications.
1:30 p.m.	GPA Allen Bradley Training Test Fixture Team Members: Preston Madere, Garrett Ferris, Luke Beamesdurfer, Nicholas Stephens Sponsor: GPA Advisor: Mr. Theodos The Allen Bradley Training Test Fixture is a mobile cart designed to train and familiarize new hires at Global Process Automation with Allen Bradley products. Using a Micro820 PLC, a Powerflex 525 VFD, and a PV800 HMI, employees will learn the basics of controlling a 3 phase motor. A potentiometer will set the speed of the motor, while our closed loop PID controller will compensate for the manually applied load. Utilizing Inductive Automation’s Ignition SCADA platform as well as Rockwell Automation’s Connected Components Workbench, new employees will be able to troubleshoot, monitor, and tune the controlling parameters of the training cart.
2:00 p.m.	3D Cement Printer Team Members: Gavin Marolla, Cory Boast, Matthew Boyea, Sean Dean, Charles Pealer, Da’Voznik Armstrong Sponsor: Dr. Alam Advisor: Dr. Alam The 3D Cement Printer aims to allow 3D printing by a fly-ash geopolymer mixture. The project includes two parts, the Geo Mixer and the Geo Printer. The mixture is produced and supplied by the Geo Mixer. The Geo Mixer uses a PLC using PID control to heat the mixture in a cement mixer. The temperature setpoint and PID coefficients can be changed using the HMI screen. The mixture is then gravity fed to the printer using an auger system. The next section of this project, the Geo Printer, is a 3D printer that uses Marlin firmware within an Arduino program. The Geo Printer’s pervious design included an X and Z axis but now has an implemented Y-axis to give the Geo Printer the ability to print complex 3D shapes. G-Code is uploaded to an SD card and the printer operates without continuous user input. This allows the printer to receive autonomous printing instructions.
3:00 p.m.	Fire Sprinkler System Team Members: Zachary Hebert, Erlinda Azores, Kaci Wright, Colin Clement Sponsor: Self-Funded Advisor: Dr. Neimowroski The Flame Tamers sprinkler system is an innovative take on pre-existing fire suppression systems by integrating PLC-controlled detection and activation. The fire suppression system uses sensors to monitor the temperature and smoke levels of each room or area in a commercial or industrial building. It triggers specific sprinklers using a centralized pump and solenoid valves to redirect water flow to affected areas. Since the system utilizes a pump, its essential operation is efficient and reusable.
3:30 p.m.	Industry 4.0 Factory Team Members: Jack Holliman, Grayson Schnaible, Kadin Ohmer, Austin Follmer Sponsor: Dr. Ker Advisor: Dr. Ker Modular Industry 4.0 factory simulator built using Fischertechnik components, controlled by a Siemens S7-1200 PLC & KTP700 HMI with SCADA monitoring via Ignition. Implemented Sorting Line with Color Recognition, which includes light-barrier sensors, pneumatic cylinders, conveyor motors, a compressor and a color sensor. Sorting line automates the detection and sorting of colored pucks on a conveyor. Conveyor belt moves pucks past a color sensor that identifies their color and moves pucks through light barriers that track the position of pucks. Pneumatic actuators push pucks into designated storage areas.
4:00 p.m.	South Campus Environmental Chamber Team Members: Joseph Williams, Zachary Fendley, Austin Johnson, Hunter Picard Sponsor: Dr. Alam Advisor: Dr. Alam The environmental chamber is designed to test long term strength and derogation on materials in a climate controlled environment. These tests can last over a year with tight parameters on temperature and humidity. Our job has been to take a previously out of date control system and update it so it can be operated by a PLC for regulation of temperature and humidity. We were able to achieve this by the instillation of a Do-More BRX series PLC that controls an air conditioner, heater, humidifier and dehumidifier. These devices keep the chamber at a given temperature of ± 5°F and a given humidity ± 5% relative humidity. We also installed an HMI screen that allows for easy interfacing with the system when checking the temperature and humidity or changing parameters. If at any time the system exceeds the limitations it begins to log data to a SD card so the exact time and out of bound parameters can be seen.