Future engineers brought their creativity and technical skills to center stage at Missouri S&T’s Spring 2025 Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Design Showcase, held Friday, May 16, in the Havener Center and Toomey Hall. The annual event featured over 30 senior design teams from mechanical and aerospace engineering programs presenting innovative solutions to real-world engineering challenges.
Projects spanned a wide range of applications, from advanced manufacturing to public safety and sustainability. Students tackled sponsored challenges from industry and faculty, demonstrating not only their engineering design and analysis skills but also their teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
Mechanical Engineering Highlights
Mechanical engineering seniors enrolled in ME 4761 presented projects across six core areas:
- Automated Visual Inspection Systems – Sponsored by Sandia National Laboratories, these projects involved modular platforms capable of rotating, tilting, and capturing defect-classifying images of critical parts.
- Mist Collection Systems – Teams worked with Dr. Jacob Miller to design compact, standalone systems for removing hazardous mists from open toolroom lathes, improving shop air quality.
- Fireworks Mortar Racks – Supervised by Dr. Matthew Coy, these designs emphasized modularity and safety for commercial fireworks displays, following rigorous industry codes and fast assembly requirements.
- Filament Drying Systems – Led by Dr. Phillip Mulligan, addressing sustainability in 3D printing, teams designed continuous-drying systems for saturated PLA plastic shreds, enabling efficient recycling.
- Marine Tabletop Mounts – In collaboration with Springfield Marine, teams developed corrosion-resistant, quick-release table mounts for marine environments, balancing durability and ergonomic design.
- Recoil Management Systems – Working with Dr. Phillip Mulligan, students created robust recoil systems for a universal firearm receiver used in ballistic testing, with adjustability for different calibers.
Aerospace Engineering Highlights
Aerospace engineering seniors in AE 4781, led by Dr. Warner Meeks, showcased their capstone group projects in Toomey Hall. Eight teams presented designs that explored cutting-edge aerospace technologies and flight systems, applying advanced principles of aerodynamics, propulsion, and control systems. The themes of each group included:
- Group 1: Four-engine payload delivery aircraft
- Group 2: 1/8-scale ultralight aircraft study
- Group 3: Aerobatic and stunt-capable fixed-wing design
- Group 4: Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft
- Group 5: Aerobatic/stunt aircraft configuration
- Group 6: Ducted fan-powered jet aircraft
- Group 7: Twin ducted fan jet platform
- Group 8: Rocket designed for aerodynamic and attitude control studies
These aerospace projects reflected a strong emphasis on systems integration, flight dynamics, and innovation in UAV and experimental aircraft design.
Hands-On Learning and Industry Engagement
Students presented to faculty, sponsors, peers, and visitors in both formal presentations and an open gallery walk held in the Havener Center’s St. Pats Ballroom. Sponsors from Sandia National Laboratories and Springfield Marine, along with faculty mentors, offered guidance and feedback throughout the semester and during the showcase.
The event was also supported by a dedicated team of teaching assistants who coordinated review milestones and ensured smooth execution of the showcase presentations.
From prototype testing to failure analysis, students embraced the challenges of real-world design under budget constraints, timelines, and rigorous expectations. The showcase celebrated not just technical achievement but the resilience and ingenuity that define S&T engineers.
Congratulations to all the Spring 2025 senior design teams!