Michelle M Chen
(continued)
Mechanical Engineering @ Stanford University
Full explanation of work available at michelleismaking.com
Full explanation of work available at michelleismaking.com
Contact
Parasol
Mechanic's Hammer
Machining
Casting
CAD
Machining
Circuits
A 17-part mechanical lamp that opens and closes like an umbrella. Utilizes linkages and sliding mechanisms to adjust an expandable shade.
Goals
Fabricate a visually impactful mechanical assembly with tightly toleranced joints. Create a customizable product that can be easily taken apart and reassembled.
A custom hammer made from 4 unique materials. Fabricated through a combination of machining, sand casting, CNC milling, and polishing.
Goals
Adhere tightly to engineering drawings to create parts within specified tolerances. Ensure all parts assemble together seamlessly.
Ideation
Turning (Lathe)
Created sketches, BOM, and operations sequence. Placed orders for all materials.
Utilized a manual lathe to turn two hammer ends (plastic) and a handle (stainless steel).
CAD
Sand Casting
Built assembly in Fusion 360 with moving joints and an animated Motion Study.
Rammed up pattern board and added a gate, runner and sprue. Cast hammer head out of bronze.
Machining
Milling & CNC
Fabricated parts in the machine shop, wood shop, and foundry, incorporating electrical wiring.
Utilized manual mill and CNC to face off the ends of the hammer and add a custom engraving.
Results
Achieved full mechanical function, implementing DFA / DFM for total material cost of < $100.
All parts fell within specified tolerances and were completed with intentional surface finishes.
Pocket Mirror
3D Printing
3D Printing
CAD
CAD
FEA
FEA
A portable compact fabricated through a single 3D-print. Incorporates print-in-place hinges and swivel joints, as well as mid-print inserts for a magnetic closure.
Goals
Leverage additive manufacturing to create a product optimized for DFA/DFM.
Ideation
Sketched cross-sectional views of hinges to guide CAD and dimensioning.
CAD
Created an assembly in Fusion 360 with print-in-place hinge and swivel joints.
Results
Successfully completed 2 prints, achieving fully functional hinges and magnetic closure.
Fabrication
Used a laser cutter to cut custom mirrors. Embedded 2 mirrors and magnets into each 3D print.
Timestamp
3D Printing
CAD
FEA
A gravity-powered timepiece with a linkage that repeatedly stamps ink onto paper pulley. Power is transferred from a falling weight through 5 mechanisms.
Goals
Create a mechanical system that incorporates various mechanisms to track time in an unconventional way.
CAD
Created full CAD assembly in Fusion 360, including axels and connectors.
Prototyping
Utilized 3D printers and laser cutters to fabricate multiple rapid prototypes.
Analysis (FEA)
Utilized FEA to analyze stress and safety factor for frame, informing redesign for reduced mass.
Results
Assembled 30+ unique parts to achieve targeted weight-powered operation.
Headspace
3D Printing
CAD
Generative
A mass-optimized headphone stand created through 7 iterations of generative design with various preserve and obstacle geometries.
Goals
Leverage additive manufacturing to reduce production time and cost via DFM and DFA. Minimize mass while maximizing strength and robustness.
CAD
Ran 7 setups of Generative Design in Fusion 360, yielding 50+ unique outcomes.
Analysis (FEA)
Selected 4 outcomes and performed FEA for stress, displacement, and safety factor.
Fabrication
Utilized a 3D printer to fabricate the 2 best-performing outcomes based on FEA.
Results
Final stands weighed <80g, minimizing mass & withstanding >15 lb simulated load.
Swinging Safely
Failure Analysis
Failure Analysis
CAD
CAD
FEA
FEA
Collaborated with 2 peers to determine the optimal material and diameter of an S-hook for a swing chain. Created a poster of findings alongside a 17-page report.
Goals
Utilize FEA simulations to support hand calculations for failure analysis.
Presentation
Presented poster to peers and faculty at the end-of-quarter showcase for Mechanics of Materials.
Poster
Created a poster explaining load and stress calculations, simulation outcomes, and fabrication of 3D printed S-links.