Chippewa Valley Times

After dedicating significant time to their capstone projects, seniors from the University of Wisconsin-Stout's manufacturing and mechanical engineering programs presented their work in May. These projects involved creating prototypes to solve real-world challenges posed by companies like Cirrus Aircraft, 3M, and Ashley Furniture.

The collaboration with these firms allowed students to tackle diverse engineering problems. For example, a team led by Gabrielle Winstead developed an automated system for chemically coating aircraft parts for Cirrus Aircraft. Winstead expressed satisfaction with the project's success and potential implementation in a real company. The team visited Cirrus' facility to understand the manual process they aimed to automate, which was labor-intensive.

Mechanical engineering major Antonio Meyer emphasized the importance of teamwork and communication in overcoming project challenges. "I learned that strong teamwork relies on trust, clear communication and flexibility," he said.

Cirrus Manufacturing Engineering Manager Marc Wollak highlighted the benefits of automating their process. "The final product was well done and provided a solid solution to our problem," Wollak stated. He praised UW-Stout for providing talented students, describing the partnership as beneficial for both sides.

Another student team worked on a project for Ashley Furniture, designing a device to lift heavy pallets using electrical power. Luke Mertens explained how his team approached design challenges through brainstorming and persistence.

Assistant Professor Dan Bee noted that faculty members act as facilitators in guiding students through an open-ended research process. Students follow a project management methodology known as the "stage gate process," which involves reviews at key points.

According to UW-Stout's latest First Destination Report, 99% of graduates from these programs were employed or pursuing further education within six months, with an average starting salary of $72,000.