Engineering students at the University of Wisconsin-Stout showcased a portable manufacturing cell designed to assemble wooden toy tractors for children, according to a May 5 announcement. The project was completed by six seniors as part of their Engineering Technology Capstone 2 course under the guidance of Assistant Professor Kevin Dietsche.
The initiative aims to engage elementary-aged children in the process of making and understanding how things are built. The semi-automated assembly machine is sized for young users and will be transported to local schools, campus tours, and industry events. The system allows children to participate in assembling toy tractors, using features like a human-machine interface touch screen that guides them through each step.
Team members Owen Coon, Ben Gurka, Kierce Hemauer, Ryan Kahl, Aili Klein, and Dominick Widi redesigned an earlier version that had become unusable. Their new design features an aluminum extrusion and plexiglass frame for safety and durability. “The build phase brings a spark to see the fully functional machine. Our overall design has changed a lot. It’s two inches bigger and wider than our initial concept… The machine also has an emergency stop button, and if the door is opened during production, the machine will stop,” Hemauer said.
Klein explained their approach: “But we switched to have the dowels be manually inserted through the wheels, so kids can engage in the making process… We also included a human-machine interface (HMI) touch screen for kids to give them an industrial feel.” The group addressed safety by ensuring strong components—tractor wheels require 60 pounds of pull force—and made sure materials could support up to 200 pounds.
The collaboration connects UW-Stout with Menomonie’s Urban Forestry Board; repurposed ash wood from city trees is used for both toys and community benches. Professor Emeritus Jerome Johnson said: “Students wanted to see something that they built be used out in the city. Students became leaders and produced projects I never imagined possible.” Dietsche added: “This project is something special… The real key is connecting people to people.” He plans future projects incorporating artificial intelligence and circular design practices.
UW-Stout emphasizes practical learning through modern labs, industry partnerships, hands-on experiences like this capstone project, career development programs such as internships and research opportunities with businesses according to the official website. Graduates from its mechanical and manufacturing engineering programs reported high employment rates within six months after graduation.
