Material combinations in an interference fit - Waters Corporation, R&D Engineering
Objective: Determine a material combination that can best maintain its retention force for an interference fit after being subject to extreme temperature changes
In this project, I designed and conducted an experiment to determine the best material combination for an interference fit. I pushed pins and hubs of various sizes and interferences into each other, and put them through a thermal cycling process before pushing the pins out to determine retention force. I designed and fabricated the fixture using a lathe, and collected data using an Instron machine. The experimental data was used as an internal guide to inform material choices for future analytical instruments.
Skills used: Experiment design, CAD design, Machining, Research
Increasing efficiency of a refrigeration unit
Objective: Explore ways to increase cooling performance of a refrigeration unit
In this project, I experimented with different air flows, thermal pastes and design changes to the fins and heat bridge. This required me to use thermistors attached to a DAQ unit to collect temperature data at key points in the analytical instrument. Based on this, we made design changes to the heat bridge that increased cooling performance.
Skills used: Experiment Design, Python, CAD design, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Research
Vial heater - Waters Corporation
Objective: Design and fabricate a vial heater
In this project, I designed and 3D printed a vial heater. It works by passing a wind current inside a cylindrical surface lined with a silicone heating strip. The picture shows the housing that contains a silicone heating strip and a fan inside.
Skills used: CAD design, 3D Printing