What Is Capstone Design I & II (92-410 and 92-420)

    The Capstone Design course is a crucial part obtaining an engineering degree at the University of Windsor, it is the course where all the previous knowledge and experience obtained by the students is finally put to use to design and engineer a product. You could also say the Capstone Design course caps off the undergraduate study program and helps students prepare for tasks or challenges that they may one day face in industry. In the Capstone Design courses students will work in teams in a business like environment to complete a project, produce reports, manage deadlines, manage funds, as well as create presentations to present their product to others.

Course Requirements

    Since the Capstone course is intended to cap the undergraduate study program it is intended that the course is taken in conjunction with Machine Design 1 and 2 during the final two semesters of the Mechanical Engineering program. It is also required that students who are enrolled in Capstone have successfully completed all of the degree requirements in the first three years of their undergraduate program. If this requirement is not satisfied by any student the course coordinator may request that the registrar delete the student from the class. Each case will be assessed on a case by case basis by the undergraduate academic advisor (Dr. Minaker).

Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) Requirements

The Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) requires that:

    “The engineering curriculum must culminate in a significant design experience which is based on knowledge and skills acquired in earlier course work and which preferably gives students an exposure to the concepts of teamwork. A research project may be interpreted as engineering design provided that it can be clearly shown that the elements of design, as noted in the following definition are fulfilled in the completion of the project.

    Engineering design integrates mathematics, engineering and basic sciences and complementary studies in developing elements, systems and processes to meet specific needs. It is creative, iterative and often open-ended process subjected to constraints which may be governed by standards, or legislation to varying degrees depending on the discipline. These constraints may relate to economic, health, safety, environmental, social or other pertinent factors.”

You can visit the CEAB website at: http://www.ccpe.ca/e/ccpe_boards_2.cfm

    By having students participate in the Capstone course they will have gained ample experience in the above listed requirements, while allowing the students to expand on previous concepts or ideas presented to them over the years.

Student Teams

    The Capstone course focuses on building team oriented skills, this will help to better prepare students for engineering activities in industry since in reality students will have to work with many people to accomplish many tasks. In order to succeed in the Capstone Design courses it will require you to work in a group environment and collaborate with colleagues and group members to arrive at a final design, to make decisions in order to provide the reports to team supervisors. Some of the teams in previous years worked on projects like:

1. SAE Mini Baja
2. SAE Formula
3. SAE Aero Design
4. SAE Supermilage
5. FSAE Engine Design
6. Wankel Fuel Conversion
7. Casting Design
8. Hockey Stick Design
9. Go Kart Design
10. Popsicle Stick Bridge Testing Machine Design
11. Turbine Model Design
12. CO2 Refrigeration Design
13. Hovercraft Design
14. Kautex Fuel Tank Tester Design
15. Duct Inspection Robot Design
16. Holetek Drill Bit Design
17. Sterling Engine Design

    Students whom will be involved in any SAE competitions like Mini Baja, Formula, Aero Design or Supermilage are required to visit the SAE website listed below and sign up for a student membership. For each student who joins SAE as a University of Windsor student a portion of their membership fees will be donated to the University for its SAE teams. For this reason we strongly suggest all University of Windsor engineering students join. The cost of becoming a student member is 10 dollars and is good for one year. By becoming and SAE member you may attend SAE conferences at no cost. You can apply for your membership by visiting the following website.

Click Here To Apply For An SAE Membership

    Students who compete in SAE competitions as part of their Capstone project do so understanding that the outcome of the competitions their team participates in are extra-curricular activities.

    Students may also propose alternate design projects providing they are approved by the undergraduate academic advisor and course coordinator. Keep in mind that the proposed projects should meet the CEAB requirements stated above. A preliminary project proposal is a requirement. Normally this will be completed on January 31 (3E Fund applications due date). This should help focus your ideas and bring forth the requirements and specifications you will attempt to adhere to. With the instructor’s approval, you may commence your design activities thereafter. The table below is only a guide.

Class Lectures

    Some of the lectures that have been completed in previous years as part of this course are listed below:

1. Project Management I
2. Engineering Reference Resources
3. Team Dynamics/ Industrial Psychology
4. Oral Presentations
5. Report and Presentation Formatting
6. Project Management II
7. GD&T or Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing
8. Environmental Issues: Design & Sustainability
9. Failure Analysis Methodology
10. Technical Writing

The Engineering Design Process

    Engineering will usually have a common goal, to design a product and eventually manufacture it. However engineering uses a distinct process on how it will achieve the final goal. The process is called the design process, which will be applied in the Capstone course. Through the design process students will need to amalgamate basic skills with scientific knowledge, management skills, and creative processes which students have been learning for years through education and real world experience.

Student Expectations

    The Capstone Design course focuses more on measuring how effectively you learn and apply the engineering design process as opposed to how effective your final product is. The evaluation process is formed around conduct throughout the academic term, as well as reports and presentations made at the University. A performance plan will be developed by the team in conjunction with their project supervisor. This performance plan will be assessed during monthly progress meetings.

WHMIS Training

    In order for any student to work in any of the shop areas they must complete the University of Windsor WHMIS training. WHMIS training is mandatory by law and for this reason only the University of Windsor WHMIS training will be considered acceptable. You may obtain this training online at http://cronus.uwindsor.ca/safety (located on the left side “WHIMIS”).

Project Log Books / Project Binders

    In order to maintain proper documentation of all engineering activities, ensure protection of all intellectual property, track team resources and ensure that people are paid for their work each student must maintain a project log book.

    The project log books must contain a weekly log of hours spent on the project (even zero which may occur during exams), all design ideas, notes, calculations, and any other pertinent content relative to the project must be noted. Project notebooks will be submitted near the end of the term for evaluation as well as one additional evaluation per term at the discretion of the project supervisor. A breakdown of suggested sections is stated below.

    All log books will be evaluated for neatness, organization and consistent entries. It can not be stressed how essential this is for good project management. Using this documentation, you will as a group, compile the final project report and supplementary appendices. Individual project binders and logbooks may be separate entities or combined. Be sure to clearly label each section using a system you find most helpful (dividers are suggested). It is the responsibility of each team member for their own log books and these books must contain their unique contributions, not simply duplicates of other member’s work or irrelevant information. There is no required format, but the information contained must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Section 1: Project timeline & revisions (Single format for team)
• Section 2: Meeting minutes & individual tasks lists highlighted
• Section 3: Running “To Do” lists & strike-outs (dated) when accomplished
• Section 4: Billable hours
• Section 5: Design sketches (dated / initialed)
• Section 6: Calculations (dated / initialed)
• Section 7: CAD drawings (dated / initialed)
• Section 8: Contact information, venders / team members / suppliers / sponsors (dated)
• Section 9: Correspondence, emails (dated)
• Section 10: Collected material - articles, vender info, measurements, etc.
• Section 11: Cost Analysis / Cost Reporting

Table 1: Example Hours Log Sheet

    It is important to keep in mind the following, nobody really cares how much time you spent, but they care that the job was completed on time, on budget and met specifications. It is to your benefit if you can accomplish the tasks in a time efficient manner. You can also think of this, since future employers are paying for your time always ask yourself can you justify the billable hours?

    “Spending time on the project alone is not sufficient, you must be able to point out unambiguously significant project elements and accomplishments for which you were directly responsible.”

Monthly Design Review Sessions

    A monthly design review session will be scheduled with the project supervisor and an appropriate technologist. All team members must attend since attendance as well as individual participation and contribution will be graded. Below are some of the things that will be considered for evaluation:

Preparedness

• Provide relevant agenda, materials & handouts
• Bring necessary props / models / drawings / sketches / software
• Display knowledge and confidence in ideas and work

Systematic Thinking and Communication

• Provide clear evidence (dwgs, reports, references, calculations)
• Rational for ideas, suggestions, recommendations
• Share pertinent information to facilitate problem solution for others
• Organize thoughts logically & provide summary
• Display good “non-verbal” behavior (eye contact, posture, tone)
• Communicate ideas clearly and with enthusiasm

Progress

• Maintain focus and drive for results
• Show clearly where you stand now and how much you advanced
• Develop realistic goals & objectives for both short and long term
• Prioritize key objectives
• MEET objectives in a timely fashion

Teamwork

• Consider input from others - encourage open discussion
• Do not monopolize conversations
• Disagree tactfully - state concerns clearly

Innovation

• Explore a wide range of ideas
• Settle on a reasonable & balanced compromise
• Be prepared to reconsider - in light of new circumstances

Attendance

• You must be present (physically and mentally) in order to contribute

Formal Presentation

    At the completion of the course (during the last week) the team will then have a formal presentation where they present their work to the Mechanical Engineering Faculty using PowerPoint or equivalent software. It is required that a copy of this presentation is submitted prior to the presentation to allow distribution to the faculty.

Final Design Report

    A standard technical design report is due on the last day of classes before final exams, most importantly the main body may not exceed 15 pages. Examples listed below can be downloaded and viewed.

1. Design Report 2004 (Word Document)
2. Design Report 2005 (Word Document)
3. Wrought Iron Axle Design (PDF file)
4. Wrought Iron Axle Design (Word Document)

Poster

    Each team must design and submit a poster. The requirements are:

1. Size : 36”x 24”
2. Each Team shall submit either an electronic copy of the poster at minimum OR a printed and laminated Poster for bonus marks

Click here to view attached Example file.

Exams

    This course does not have any midterms or final exams, hence no supplemental exams are possible. You however must complete WHMIS as stated above.

Peer Evaluations

    The project supervisor may use a peer evaluation form to gain insight on group dynamics such as perceptions of individual performance, workload distribution, conflict identification, skill sets or other desired information.

Individual Performance Mark (30% of final grade)

Group Performance Mark (70% of final grade)

Standard Conversion From Marks To Final Grade:

(Unofficial) Capstone Design Grading Scale / Expectations

CARE Shop Policy

1. All students are required to wear proper safety glasses and sturdy closed toe shoes at all times while working in the shop.
2. Upon entering the shop all students are to report and sign in.
3. No student shall work more than 12 hours per day in the shop.
4. Missing classes to work in the shop is not permitted.
5. No students shall enter the shop unsupervised after hours.
6. Students will use only equipment upon which they have been trained. If training is required, please ask for assistance.
7. All equipment and materials entering or exiting the shop must be cleared by the technicians and must comply with all OHSA regulations and MAME Departmental space guidelines.
8. During scheduled course lab hours only those students who are registered in the course are permitted in the shop.
9. All students are required to provide their own hand tools.