PBSC Engineering Technology students showcase innovation in capstone projects

Innovation was on full display at PBSC’s Engineering Technology Expo, where five students presented capstone projects ranging from disaster resistant bridges to robots designed for manufacturing.

Students enrolled in the capstone course of PBSC’s Associate in Science degree in Engineering Technology get hands-on experience, work with industry sponsors and often receive job offers upon graduating. The latest group of students presented their projects to faculty, their families and over 40 business partners at the College’s Boca Raton campus on Nov. 20.

“These students are developing skills critical for the industry,” said Eva Suarez, Ph.D., professor and chair of PBSC’s Engineering Technology department. “At other colleges they have teams of three to four students working on these capstone projects. This is at the highest technical level for a state college.”

During the event, attendees connected with leaders in the engineering industry, explored the student capstone projects and toured the new Center for Engineering Technology. The Engineering Technology program is supported by strong partnerships with companies such as Pratt & Whitney, Lockheed Martin, SV Microwave and Wafer World, Inc.

One of these partners, Sean Quinn, CEO of Wafer World, a silicon wafer manufacturing company, announced the Wafer World Inc. STEM Scholarships during the event. The scholarships, totaling $20,000, were awarded to 12 students in the Engineering Technology program to assist with the cost of tuition and instructional materials.

“We want to highlight that there’s direction here at Palm Beach State,” Quinn said. “These students that I observe are coming in, doing a project and getting a job. That’s what it’s all about.”

Khaliq Davidson wanted his capstone project to emphasize everything he has learned during his degree. His creation? A cutting-edge automated assembly system controlled by a programmable logic controller, an industrial computer that controls manufacturing processes. Davidson drew inspiration from machinery he’d seen in real-world assembly plants.

“The most successful way to make it through this capstone is to think small and then build on that. Build upon your project,” he said. “Make your project on something you’re interested in.”

Davidson will be graduating in December and hopes to receive a full-time job offer from Pratt & Whitney, the aerospace manufacturer, after completing his internship there.

Chrystelle Jean Pierre is from Haiti and used her capstone to design a prototype for a bridge she hopes will be used to improve her country’s infrastructure. Starting with a simple model made of wooden sticks, Jean Pierre’s design evolved into a 5-foot-long prototype created with 3D printing technology.

The structure of the bridge will be able to withstand earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters. Jean Pierre’s goal is to see a full-scale version of the steel bridge, measuring 61 meters long, constructed in Haiti.

Jean Pierre took the 4-credit capstone course while juggling a full-time job. “It was hard because this class takes time, but I wanted to demonstrate that I have the capability to learn applied mechanics on my own,” she said. “You have to be dedicated and have a passion for the project you want to do.”

Nicholas McCarthy chose to focus his studies on advanced technology, one of the degree’s four concentration areas. McCarthy, a former Army veteran of the war in Iraq, initially studied to be a nurse before switching to PBSC’s Engineering Technology program.

For his capstone project, he built and operated a robotic car that can be controlled using an Android phone via Bluetooth signal. Throughout the process, McCarthy learned about compatibility between electronic devices, applied the capabilities of Bluetooth signal and troubleshooted errors in his code with the help of artificial intelligence.

“My capstone project shows a different way to communicate with electronic devices because as tech is progressing, the way that we communicate with electronic devices needs to progress with it,” McCarthy said.

Wladimir Parlenko’s automation project was inspired by his internship with Harmsco, a Riviera Beach-based company that manufactures liquid filtration products. Parlenko programmed a robot and designed custom 3D printed jaws to work as a gripper enabling the robot to grab and drop small items.

Harmsco sponsored his project so he could enhance his programming and automation skills and use it in his job there. He anticipates becoming an official employee after he graduates this fall.

“Critical thinking is the most important thing I’ve learned at Palm Beach State College because now I think in a different way and can solve problems affecting my industry,” Parlenko said. “I’ve been pushed to solve problems and learn more about what I’m doing.”

Adam Grinter poured over 150 hours into his project, designing a software-defined radio capable of receiving and broadcasting FM radio transmissions. Grinter’s radio is unique because it has a modular design and upgradeable software, allowing for future enhancements. Looking ahead, he hopes to implement a frequency scanner to expand the radio’s capabilities. Through his capstone he gained hands-on experience in radio frequency engineering, audio engineering and software development.

“This project opened my eyes to the complexity of RF engineering and audio engineering,” Grinter said. “It’s given me the opportunity to learn valuable skills such as software development, testing and troubleshooting. These skills will help me in my career and will allow me to venture into further opportunities.”

To view more photos of the event, click here.