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.	Kaleidoscope Team Members: Lance Entrekin, Patrick Keller, Julie Kneipp, Blair Rodrigue Sponsor: Ron Gill Advisor: Mr. Michael Theodos The Color Sorting Production Line was built for GPA Global to use at expos and conferences to demonstrate their production ability. This system utilizes a programmable logic controller (PLC) to control a selection of servos to sort Skittles into specific sections, a motor to force the Skittles through the system in a single file, and a color sensor that communicates the color of the Skittle back to the system. The speed of the system and the specific sorting conditions can be controlled by the human machine interface (HMI) and allows an operator to change how fast Skittles get sorted and what specific ratio of Skittles needs to be sorted.
1:30 p.m.	Environmental Test Chamber Team Members: Ryan Barbier, Joseph Kennedy, Jacob Lim, Jacob Norris Sponsor: Dr. Will Long Advisor: Mr. Michael Theodos The objective of our project was to get the old Civil Engineering Environmental Test Chamber running again. This project would include using everyday equipment to hold a steady climate for testing materials. We were tasked with building a system that would be able to run itself for a test of over 10,000 hours, and if any problems occurred, components in the system could be replaced in a timely manner. This was accomplished by creating a detailed program that controlled the components to keep the climate steady using PID and sensors.
2:00 p.m.	C.A.S.E. Cuisine Team Members: Daniel Anderson, Avery Curtis, Allison Evans, Justin Sandlin Sponsor: Dr. Matthew Hartmann Advisor: Mr. Michael Theodos The project C.A.S.E. Cuisine represents an automated spice mixer. Utilizing a programmable logic controller, six selected spices are combined into a singular mixture. This is accomplished through six motors with a corkscrew delivery system. The exact mixture percentage of individual or multiple spice(s) can be controlled from the human-machine interface screen. A proportional-integral-derived controller and humidity sensor have been implemented to modify the internal humidity of each spice. The product is dispensed into a given cup ready to be used.
2:30 p.m.	Conveyor Inventory Tracker Team Members: Charish Borne, Kelonte’ Taylor, Katelyn Winget Sponsor: Ron Gill Advisor: Mr. Michael Theodos This project is located in Bogard Hall. The conveyor belt delivers objects (Phase 1 already in place) to a location where they are removed and sorted into different compartments on a rotary storage system (Phase 2). A PLC and HMI system will control this process to detect and place objects in their location and remember them for future retrieval. Object location sensors will be used to detect the position of the carousel for inventory placement. With the SCADA system, we track inventory, see real-time data, and manage storage processes.
3:00 p.m.	Soil Vapor Extractor Team Members: Jesse Bickford, Garrett Chaisson, Catherine Cox, Bailey Domzalski Sponsor: Dr. David Hall Advisor: Mr. Michael Theodos The project objective is to automate a soil vapor extraction unit for Lanxess Central Plant, including a PLC, instrumentation, and SCADA system, to improve remote visibility of the operation and increase reliability. This will be done using a miniaturized system for proof of concept and coding. The unit will include a vacuum pump, water pump, water discharge flow sensor, and ambient temperature sensor with high and low alarms. Fault detection will be implemented to monitor potential issues in the system.
3:30 p.m.	Plastic Bottle Recycler Team Members: Nicholas Cherneski, Logan Green, Zachary Thornhill Sponsor: Dr. Kelly Crittenden Advisor: Mr. Michael Theodos The objective of the Plastic Bottle Recycler is to recycle plastic bottles into filaments for 3D printers. The system cuts plastic bottles into ribbons fed into a hotel. The hotel turns the plastic bottle into filament, then extruded and spooled. While spooled, the filament passes through the InFiDEL sensor, which measures the diameter of the filament and will help us keep it at a consistent size.
4:00 p.m.	Commercial Boiler System Team Members: Luke Frederick, Chandler Hay, Nicolas Long, Grayson Thompson Sponsor: Michael Theodos Advisor: Mr. Michael Theodos The Commercial Boiler System aims to provide a user-controlled boiler that operates according to a recipe based on weight and product. The burner system will be fully automated with optimized output to limit fuel usage. This system allows for recipes that automate the cooking process for crawfish, shrimp, corn and potatoes, and crab. A winch is then used to lift the finished product and dispense it into the user’s receptacle.
4:30 p.m.	Automated Mixing System Team Members: Will Ayim, Aaron Caldwell, Shaw Corcoran, Andrew Falcon Sponsor: Michael Theodos Advisor: Mr. Michael Theodos Our project aims to create a device that will allow a user to mix water and ammonia at a desired ratio in real-time for immediate usage. The device has two pumps and many sensors to ensure the process is as safe and efficient as possible. This process could be used to meet OSHA standards and keep users from getting burned by ammonia.