Over time, I've taken on a lot of projects, but unfortunately, taking pictures and documenting the process only began to become a priority later in my life. With that being said, I've included some of the more recent projects I've taken on, including those completed at Angelo State University while gaining my B.E., Mechanical Engineering (Math minor).
For more photos, click on the main photo for each project.
The full presentation can be seen on Angelo State University's Ramgineers facebook page https://fb.watch/5OzQ8Xjja0/ near the 1 hour 15minute mark. The project was an upgrade to a weld-head manipulator used in the pressure vessel industry for sub-arc welding. The complete report is about 140 pages, so the presentation is high level.
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In Fluid Mechanics at ASU, we were tasked with creating a fountain that achieved laminar flow at 2 orifices. In addition to that and many other constraints, the students at ASU would vote on the winner from a design standpoint. We won and also stayed within the constraints.
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In Thermal-Fluid System Design at ASU, this counter-flow double pipe heat exchanger was designed and constructed to serve as a wort chiller in the beer brewing process.
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https://photos.app.goo.gl/KXJdPEH96thNfX98A .
The python code can be seen here.
In Heat Transfer at ASU, a solar powered oven with additional solar panel for a convection fan was designed and constructed to study thermodynamic and heat transfer principles.
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As part of research at ASU, using an Arduino with sensors, 3D printed components, and a water bottle rocket kit, I developed code to log IMU and pressure sensor data to an onboard SD card for analysis running an onbaord algorithm to determine the attitude with yaw, pitch, and roll. The challenges in this project were numerous, mostly arising out of my ambition to expand the scope of project. It's been a fun project that has taught me valuable lessons in sensors and data analysis.
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During the onset of Covid in 2020, supply shortages across the world affected how easily first responders could get access to basic PPE. I worked tirelessly on creating as many face shields and ear relief straps as possible to assist local hospitals and even shipped several boxes outside of Texas. All-in, more than 2,500 pieces of PPE were donated at no charge to those receiving them.
https://ktxs.com/news/local/asu-engineering-student-makesdonates-face-shields-to-first-responders
https://www.angelo.edu/live/news/17937-battling-the-coronavirus-in-3-d
https://www.gosanangelo.com/story/news/2020/06/26/texas-san-angelo-coronavirus-covid-19-business-print-ppe-supplies/3249287001/
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The project was part of the course Engineering Materials at ASU. The purpose was to compare the impact strength of different brands of chalk or crayons due to the required size and availability of materials to construct with.
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At my previous home, this nearly 300 sq ft deck this project was completed almost exclusively on weekends.
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Designed and built from scratch, this Dutch bucket hydroponic system was a great success. Here in Texas, the dry summer months means lots of watering using traditional grown in the soil methods. This system dramatically reduced the water consumption throughout the year by eliminating the soil 100%, replacing it with gravel, and providing a constant flow of water at critical parts of the day through the use of a central water pump and reservoir tank. All water flows back to the reservoir where I add nutrients every 2 weeks. Additionally, plants are finicky. Temperatures matter. Inside of the reservoir tank, I developed an evaporative cooler to reduce the water temperature, thus reducing the overall plant root temperature as well.
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I really should have documented this one better. This project was for a child who is legally blind that struggles with activities of daily living. The large button is easy for the child to use, and the small overall design is easy to use. It simply recirculates water through the use of a small water pump hidden inside of the 3d printed components of the faucet.
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Lithophanes are 3D printed with a single filament color (white or grey). By varying the thickness of the lithophane, the photo appears when backlit because thicker portions block out the light, while thinner portions allow more light. The photographs are first edited for high contrast, then developed into a 3D model, or STL file, "sliced" using software, and printed vertically on a regular 3D printer. No inks or dyes are used.
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I have an extensive electrical background that originates from the period of time around when I started driving. The interest progressed from countless hobby builds, to a job working on vehicle electrical systems at BestBuy, and eventually, to me starting my own company that I later sold.
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https://photos.app.goo.gl/2kF3d9yUydDfW24Z9
As part of exam grades, my job was to present solutions to problems for future students to be able to use when struggling to understand lectures. Dr. Garcia is a brilliant professor who wants to help continue building ASU's mechanical program with resources such as this. These videos are presentations of my solutions to problems, explained in a way that may be helpful to other students.
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https://photos.app.goo.gl/1CXDoKSbS1XVNodq8 - Horizontal Rod
https://photos.app.goo.gl/RTBAQa7f5hVGrzkw7 - Plane wall
A local volunteer fire department contacted me due to an inability to source replacement handles for their nozzles. In the middle of firefights, handles were breaking due to the aggressiveness of firefighters. The replacement handles were no longer available from the manufacturer and the only solution was to replace all of their nozzles with an $1,800 newer model. A short amount of time in cad, and several days of testing resulted in an inexpensive set of 3, and eventually 3 more, handles that proved to be much stronger than the originals.
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Sound deadening a vehicle is a labor intensive job. Removing panels, seats, carpet, etc... takes alot of time and patience. The end result reduces the interior noise level from outside sources such as when you're driving on the highway. The mass that is added to the sheet metal reduces vibration induces noise, and the foam acts as a secondary sound dampener to convert sound into heat. I completed this project in 2012.
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Many years, ago, before taking many pictures during projects, I created this radio cooler. In this case, alot of fiberglass work was done, and I don't have any photos of that part!!! It's powered by a 17ah 12v battery, Toyota OEM amp, PAC variable level input 3.5mm headphone jack, and two 6.5" marine speakers. The idea behind it was to be able to maintain the use of the cooler while also allowing for music to play from it. I believe this project was completed around 2008 or 2009.
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While working at Best Buy, I decided to construct a radio that could stack onto my toolbox. The concept was for it to blend in with the toolbox and also allow for easy use of the controls. This was around 2007 or 2008 and I wish I had taken more photos along the way during the construction.
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Throughout the years, between making boards for myself, friends, and family, I've amassed a wide range of experience in building different types of boards. Some of them have LED and 3D printed lighted rings.
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Copyright © 2023 Alan Backlund Mechanical Engineer - All Rights Reserved.
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