Agira PhotonicsAdapter part
The TaskAn important aspect of my role at Agira Photonics was to design manufacturing tools while we were scaling up. One our our manufacturers told us that a part they already owned could be used to secure one of our tools to a lathe, but only if we could provide them with an adapter part. This would be much more affordable than ordering an entirely new all-in-one tool.
The ImplementationUsing the drawings of the manufacturer's existing equipment and of our tool, I created a part in Solidworks that allowed for compatibility with tapped hole depth, counterbores for hex head screws, and variable radii between their tool and ours. I was constantly in email contact with the manufacturer to confirm my interpretation of the critical features. To check my work, I even drew their tool on my own so that I could check for fit visually with an assembly before sending my final work to the manufacturer for approval.
The OutcomeI created an engineering drawing file that I sent to the manufacturer for confirmation of correct dimensions, tolerances, and other machining notes. Upon approval, I created a .STEP file from my solid model for use on a CNC mill by the in-house machinist. By creating the adapter part, I saved Agira Photonics the time and money that would have been spent on purchasing a new tool that could only be used once. |
Solidworks rendering of the adapter part
Views from the engineering drawing of the adapter part
|
Agira PhotonicsMoiré Effect Simulation
|
Output image of the Moiré effect program
Click on the file above to download my Moiré effect program for yourself!
|
The TaskFor research and development, I decided to design a program in Matlab that would predict the Moiré effect of a particular interference pattern before spending the time to verify the pattern physically.
The ImplementationAlthough I had never used the graphical features in Matlab, I was able to create a robust program that allows the user to input the band width of two, three, or four patterns and their relative alignment. Other Matlab users have created Moiré effect programs, and I was able to use the online Mathworks forums for help, but my program was more complex due to the option of more than one pattern to display.
The OutcomeThis program is still in use at Agira Photonics and streamlines the research and development process concerning Moiré effects in their products. If I were to continue to improve this program, I would add in pop-up prompts for the user to save the images or have another graphics window to compare trials side by side. |