Engineering Experience & Projects

Role: 

Undergradaute Research Assistant

Project Statement: 

Explore the pros and cons of Industry 4.0 technology by designing, coding, and manufacturing a smart factory.   

Solution: 

The team I joined had the initial concept of constructing a 3D printing smart factory that would take a 3D printed object through a conveyor belt system that would be sorted into sections based on height using laser sensor technology. This fatcory would be controlled by PLC programming, specifcally using RSLogix 5000 and Connected Components Workbench. 

When I undertook the project as the main assistant, I implented the code and system to transport the 3D printed object from the chosen printer onto the conveyor belt system as well as the movement of all robotic arms.

Outcome:

• Presented research and our smart factory in multiple conferences such as the CSUF SUReA showcase from 2023-2025, and the NCCUR conference in 2024.

• Successful implentation of robotic arms in the smart factory system, to be carried on and improved by future students. 

Duties:

• Learning and implenting PLC programming for robotic arm functions such as transport from the 3D printer and sorting objects. 

• Wiring and quality assurance of smart factory setup. 

• Scientific research of published Industry 4.0, smart factory, manufacturing engineering , and automation research to gather and present what has been benefitial or detrimental to Industry 4.0, how it relates to findings found with our smart factory, and how industries utilizing this technology should move forward in the future. 

Thought Process:

• Transportating 3D printed objects directly from the printer onto a conveyor belt or any factory area proved difficult mostly due to syncing the timing of the printer, that is an outside company such as Bambu Printer that is not known to easily work with automated systems, with our smart factory. Other factors the dimensions of the printer, the robotic arm movements within a printer, and having enough force to take it off the printer bed without damage. My solution that is implented now is having laser sensors detect the particular bed height that the printer lowers to when a printing job is complete, and from that point having a robotic arm slowly manuever inside. This method has worked successfully on items that aren't heavily attached to the bed and/or items we deemed "medium" to "large" size. While there is room to improve, this pushed the research forward for future students. 

• Sorting objects with laser sensors and robotic arms involved more emphasis on coding and testing than the printer transportation, for we catergorized objects by its height which we deemed "small", "medium", and "large" based on what measurements are recorded by the laser sensors. We also had to ensure secure placement on a moving conveyor belt system and to its final destination based on its size. 

Role: 

Competitor

Project Statement: 

Under 24 hours, develop your own software of your choosing and purpose that aligns with the competition theme (which was "Neon" that year). 

Solution:

I initially thought of the idea for the idea of a website that contained several guided therapeutic exercises called Juno. With my partner, we developed the website with three guided exercises led by our mascot, Juno the Turtle, and had neon, nature aesthetics that fit the theme while be calming for the user. These three exercises were "Breathing Turtle", "Leaves on a Stream", "Drawing Turtles". My role besides website and exercise concept was mainly coding for "Breathing Turtle", a guided breathing exercise, as well as assisting coding for the other two exercises.

Outcome:

• Successfully coded three exercises along with a functioning website to submit to competition. 

Duties:

• Website and exercise conceptualization.

• Coding all three exercises as well as website UI an other functions using Python, CSS, and HTML. 

Thought Process:

• The concept of Juno came to be from my peer health educator background highlighted in the "Other Experiences" portion of my portfolio, and my partner and I thought it would be an important, relatable way for CSUF students to pritotize mental health every day. Juno the Turtle came into fruition because one of our roommates is named Juno. 

Role: 

Fabricator

Project Statement: 

Compete in the PSWS Steel Bridge competition hosted by ASCE with a steel bridge following all competition regualtions.

Outcome:

• Cut and deburred over 50+ pieces for the bridge, which ended up being 20+ ft with 200+ individual pieces. 

• Selected to travel to the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa for the 2024 PSWS Competition to present our bridge, represent CSUF in front of hundreds of schools and states, and assist our competitive construction team. 

• We did receive DNF for the PSWS competition, but did win Overall Best Project in the 2024 CSUF ECS Innovation Expo. 

• "Based on the analysis of the structural integrity of the bridge using the software SAP2000, there was successful verification of the design to ideally fit within the parameters established through the AISC rules for steel bridge." - CSUF News

Duties:

• Cut pieces for the steel bridge based on shop drawings using various tools such as angle grinders, bandsaws, and water jet. 

• Deburr pieces using deburr grinder. 

• Welding when necessary. 

Thought Process:

• It was my first exposure to a machine shop setting, so I wanted to learn and get as much hands on learning as possible from fellow mechanical engineering students and especially from civil engineering students. 

Role: 

Mechanical Design Lead

Project Statement: 

Design the housing for Catpanion, "a handheld device that uses haptic technology to create a cat-like purr, providing emotional care each time it's pet" according to the website. Must be able to hold all electronic components while fitting the cute cat aesthetic. 

My Solution: 

Housing designed to have a cute shell-like housing that can be easily pet, and a compartment that can be inserted/removed with ease containing all electronic components such as touch sensors. vibrational sensors, and lights. 

Outcome: Product has been in the fundraising stages, and can be found on its website attached below. 

Duties: 

• Designing housing using SOLIDWORKS, accounting for all its electronic components and its wiring and based on client's feedback.

• Assisting with 3D printing process. 

Thought Process: 

• Alongside Catnap described below, it was my first time making a commercial product and had to balance the cute aesthetic with functionality. 

• I emphasized the removable compartment for easy installation and repair of the eletronic components, but also designed it with subtleness in mind so users barely notice and/or don't try to pick at it. 

Role: 

Mechanical Design Lead

Project Statement: 

Design the housing for the lamp component Catnap, a circadian sleep aid system designed to promote healthier sleep with multiple features such as the color changing cat-shaped lamp, multi-directional music speaker, sleep tracker, and electronic journaling extension. Account for all electronic components. 

Solution: 

This project was similar to Catpanion (made by the same company), but far simplier. I designed the housing to fit the lamp and microcontroller of setup. I gave more attention to the shape and thickness of the housing to account for the colors and temperature of the lamp, as well as working with another mechanical engineer to make sure my housing aligns with the housing she made for box that the lamp rests on, as well as holds the rest of setup such as tracker and journal. 

Outcome: 

• Successfully designed and 3D-printed housing to be competition ready. 

• Catnap won Overall Best Project in the 2025 CSUF ECS Innovation Expo. 

Duties:

• Designing housing using SOLIDWORKS, accounting for all its electronic components and its wiring and based on client's feedback.

• Assisting with 3D printing process. 

Thought Process:

Compared to Catpanion, I approached this project with the same mentality but different parameters. 

Role: Team Lead and Designer

Project Statement: 

3D print notable CSUF campus buildings to 1:500 scale as well as create decorations and present our map to the ECS department representing the EGME 461 class. As team lead, delegate buildings to your team, continually meet to discuss updates, and work with other team leaders to update/help them. As Team Green, we were assigned to design an print iconic buildings such as the TSU, SRC, KHS, PL, and more. 

Solution: 

I assigned team members 2-3 builings to design on SOLIDWORKS every 1-2 weeks, and printing buildings we have completed those weeks as well. Our method for creating these buildings was measuring the size of these buildings through Google Earth, remeasuring into our scale, designing on SOLIDWORKS and putting as many details as possible such as windows, 3D-printing, and then painting. 

Outcome: 

We presented our map along with other team's contributions to the entire ECS department in May 2025 and it is currently on display at the engineering building on campus. 

Duties:

• Designing assigned buildings on SOLIDWORKS based on Google Earth measurements and chosen scale. 

• 3D printing buildings. 

• Delegating building assignments to team based on discussion, updating other team leaders and professor on our team progress. 

• Painting and gluing decorations onto the map. 

Thought Process:

Intricate details were key to this project because every building has unique features that CSUF students notice. So I emphasized to my team about putting at least one feature that makes it different to other buildings such as window and pillar placement.  

Role: 

3D Modeler

Project Statement: 

Design twelve key-shaped props on SOLIDWORKS that conceals a secret letter and would be used as clues for a pirate themed escape room. 

Solution: 

I designed each key with unique features that is pirate-themed.

Duties:

• Design on SOLIDWORKS based on the original concept drawings and client input. 

• 3D-print prototype keys. 

Outcome: 

Successfully implented prop into the escape room.

Thought Process:

I made each key unique enough to subtly show the letter associated with each key while staying on the pirate theme, as well as being durable enough to withstand guests heavily using them. 

Role: 

3D Modeler

Project Statement: 

Design housing for a portable speaker using SOLIDWORKS that would go inside a geiger counter prop for a artic survival themed escape room. Component would be slightly visible to guests and would need to be secured inside of the prop. Must be easily removable for charging the speaker between escape room reservations. 

Solution: 

Based on my client's drawings, I improved it so the bottom piece would be secured inside the prop and the top part has a threaded component so the piece and speaker can easily be removed from the prop. 

Outcome: 

Successfully implented prop into the escape room and is compatible with the speaker.

Duties:

• Design on SOLIDWORKS based on the original concept drawings and client input. 

• 3D-print prototype keys. 

Thought Process: 

I incorporated the threaded component to make removable more efficient. 

Role: 

Designer

Project Statement: 

As part of an interview, design and fabricate a prop of your choosing that could be used in a escape room setting. 

Solution: 

A Cinderella-themed clocktower that would serve as an immersive clock/timer that guests can utilize in the escape room. 

Outcome: 

I designed the clocktower of SOLIDWORKS, coded the clocktower to swing its face every 10 seconds (representing 10 minutes in a real life situation), 3D-printed, and painted and coated. After submitting this project, I entered the final stages of the interview in person. 

Thought Process: 

• From my time working at Quest Room, I realized most escape rooms don't have an immersive way of telling guests how much time they have in a room other than verbally telling guests or having an out-of-theme clock/timer. 

• I thought the Cinderella theme would be the best use for this clocktower since the story of Cinderella has a emphasis on time. 

Role: Founder, Art Lead

Project Statement: Develop an app encouraging supplement vitamin education and daily intake. 

My Solution: I initially thought of a gamified tracking app and from there we expanded the idea into VitaIQ, an app that tracks supplement intake, educates users with an AI system that only uses NIH published data, and encourages users with a incorporated world-building game called VitaGROVE. 

Outcome: We have successfully release the pilot for the app and have been advertising to local stores and social media for people to test pilot the app. We have been in contact with Lindberg Nutrition in Torrance and planning to do a demostration day to the public. 

Duties:

• Coding the onboarding system for VitaIQ.

• Directing the art direction and digitally drawing characters, shop items, decorations, etc for VitaGROVE with a small team of artists. 

• Collaborating with SUR Prototyping weekly to plan developments for VitaIQ, social media, and outreach to stores. 

Thought Process:

• We developed this app initially for Supplements, Facts First Challenge hosted by the National Institutes of Health but unfortunately did not go past Phase 1, but wanted to continue to strive to improve the app and release to the public and local stores. 

• I thought of the gaming aspect that evolved into VitaGROVE to make health more approachable, relatable, and less over-stimulating (compared to other games) for our target audience so that can incorporate supplement vitamin health into their daily life. 

Role: 

Mechanical Engineer and Prop Maker

Project Statement: 

For the shown Chucky doll, have its head move on command +-180 degrees. 

Solution: 

I used a servo motor system to turn its head and incoporated a bluetooth module and an app to move it on command. I also added a PVC pipe into the existing pool noodle structure to have the doll more upright and have clearance to feed wires through.

First, I designed the electrical setup, coded its funtions on Arduino IDE, wired all components and inserted the pipe, drilled two holes on each side of Chucky's head to thread rope from the head to each side of the servo motor, and testing and revisions. 

Outcome: The servo motor has successful 180 degrees turns, but is still not enough force to turn the doll head a complete 180 degrees each way (it is between 100-120 degrees each way). We hope to make improvements to the doll in the future. Nevertheless, the doll is availabile to rent for films, events, and other projects through Take 99 Productions's website and social media.

Duties:

• Mechanical and electrical design of the Chucky doll.  

• Physically wiring and installation of mechanical components. 

• Testing and revisions of the Chucky doll. 

Thought Process:

• I wanted this setup to align with the Chucky doll the studio has already made and as pratical as possible for easy repair, hence using materials like PVC pipes and rope.

• As stated, I hope to improve the servo motor in the future for more dramatic head turns but for now, the head turns as seen as in found ghost footage where the doll or object moves slightly.