Steward Aime, Jamie Ledford, Brianna Richardson and Jackson Trigo
Frosty Factory
Joshua Wheat, Engineer
Dr. Michael Theodos
This project was commissioned by Frosty Factory to streamline the process of testing and tuning their frosty machines. The machines need to be tested several times and often complete their tests without anybody noticing, requiring more testing. These tests usually require more work and calculations to make sure whether it was a success or not. Our group, Innovating With Machines (IWM) decided to use a PLC and HMI screen to better streamline the testing. Unfortunately, the part we were specifically testing was replaced and we needed to change our scope to coolant instead of valves. We use multiple sensors to gather data across and around the machine, and we use a master/slave PLC system to efficiently gather the desired data. So far, the most significant outcome of this project has been successfully reading the data we were after given the time constraints faced. So far, our findings mean virtually any machine can be hooked up to PLC sensors to gather data on any part of the machine desired, and testing processes can be signaled with greater efficiency than a typical busy work environment allows.
Jase Garner, Cullen Mccord, Bradon Stockley and Joseph Waguespack
Aaron Caldwell
In lumber processing, manual radial arm saw operations expose workers to injury risk
and inconsistent cut quality, driving demand for affordable small-scale automation.
The KAT (Kiwi Automation Technology) project addresses this by converting a conventional
Delta-Rockwell radial arm saw into a recipe-driven automated cutting system with multi-bin
sorting.
The system integrates an Allen-Bradley CompactLogix PLC, an Ignition Vision SCADA
interface for recipe entry and monitoring, and Arduino microcontrollers decoding analog
voltage-band commands to drive stepper motors for angle positioning and outfeed handling.
A laser distance sensor provides closed-loop board length measurement, while pneumatic
clamping and DC motors handle material transport.
Commissioning verified correct communication across 26 digital inputs, 11 digital
outputs, and 4 analog channels, with successful manual and automated operation of
all subsystems including infeed positioning, saw actuation, and outfeed sorting.
The KAT system demonstrates that industrial-grade automated sawing is achievable using
commercially available components at a fraction of purpose-built equipment costs.
Baylor Holloway, Samantha Lukas, Caleb Arteaga
Dr. Matthew Young
Angled acrylic components are widely used in prototyping and fabrication; however, small scale bending processes are often performed manually, leading to inconsistent bend angles, overheating, and material waste. The ATTACC was developed as a compact, reliable system capable of producing precise, repeatable bends at specified lengths. Inspired by industrial sheet metal bending systems, SHARCC Systems designed a controlled positioning mechanism that feeds acrylic into a designated heating zone where it is clamped, uniformly heated, and bent to a precise angle. Prototyping involved repeated testing to evaluate how acrylic reacts to heat, its optimal heating duration, and bend accuracy. Testing revealed that heated acrylic exhibits significant elasticity and tends to spring back after bending; therefore, the bending arm must remain fixed until the material cools to maintain the desired angle. The final prototype achieved consistent, repeatable bend angles and reduced material waste compared to manual methods. ATTACC demonstrates that controlled heating combined with automated mechanical movement significantly improves precision, efficiency, and overall fabrication quality.
Chasey McNeely, Bryant Miller and Kellee Puissegur
GPA
Todd Harlow
Osinachi Abika
Industrial Automation systems rely on the integration of robotics, programmable logic
controllers, and communication networks to improve manufacturing efficiency and product
traceability. This project focuses on being able to create a fluent and efficient
automated control process system that will continuously detect each payload on a conveyor
belt transportation platform and then palletize it for preparation of bulk storing.
The primary challenge addressed is the integration of multi vendor components that
includes a robotic arm, an Allen Bradley PLC, Barcode printer, and a human machine
interface (HMI) into a closed loop control system. The system was developed using
an Ethernet communication system in which identification data from an upstream controller
is processed by the PLC to coordinate a robotic pick and place operation and generate
barcode label information. Testing demonstrated successful robotic pallet stacking,
HMI system control, and accurate barcode printing. The final prototype illustrates
practical implementation of industrial automation principles and highlights the importance
of reliable communication and system design.
Logan Dulle, Regis Fregene, Tucker Raborn and Mark Taylor
Dr. David Hall
Managing prescription medications can be difficult for individuals who take multiple
prescriptions or have conditions that make organizing and remembering doses challenging.
Missed, delayed, or incorrect doses can reduce treatment effectiveness and increase
health risks. This project focuses on designing an automated prescription medication
dispenser that applies engineering technology principles to improve consistency, organization,
and reliability in household medication delivery.
The project integrates mechanical, electrical, and control components to store, dispense,
and deliver capsule-based medications. Key elements include modular pill storage containers,
mechanically guided dispensing and filtering mechanisms, motor-driven motion, and
a conveyor-based transport system. Accuracy is supported through weight-based measurement
within a closed-loop control system. The design demonstrates how engineering technology
concepts can be applied to a real-world automation problem relevant to home healthcare
and assisted living environments.
Brock Houston, Aiden Robertson, Ethan Herbold
Louisiana Tech University
Osinachi Abika and Dr. Jun-Ing Ker
Dr. Jun-Ing Ker
The Industrial Engineering program at Louisiana Tech University has a conveyor belt system for experiments, which has several stations which modify the contents of the belt. Each of these stations is driven by a control system. Our team, Capacitone, was tasked with taking a rotary storage system leftover from a previous failed project, and making it a functional addition to this conveyor belt system. To do this, we implemented a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and an Arduino Uno. The PLC controls the rotation of the Rotary Storage System, as well as the database which records item type and locations in storage. The Arduino controls the robot, which receives offload commands from the PLC and retrieves items from storage to the conveyor belt. As of writing, the system is functionally operational, and operators are able to load new items, search the database for a type of item, query a location for its contained item, and offload items from the storage to conveyor or to operator. While our findings are certainly not groundbreaking, it has proven a useful project to learn teamwork, leadership, contingency plans, 3D design, user interface, and many more useful skills.
Anna Anderson, Chris Haag, Owen LeBlanc and John Reina
Mr. Ronald Gill
Liquid mixing machines could hardly be described as a new concept, but the prospect of a smaller, home-friendly beverage mixer with personal customization is much harder to come by. We, The InteGators, aimed to design such a machine, by which users can keep a selection of three different liquid mixing ingredients and make beverages using them at the push of a button. In designing such a device, our team researched and tested the use of level sensors and flow meters to automate the liquid mixing process into one smooth motion. In doing so, we found the importance of low-tolerance readings found in food grade flow meters, as these devices high precision give way to perfect mixed drinks each and every time.