At UBC, we have created an innovative senior level design experience. The Mech 45X Capstone Design program emphasizes the teamwork and management skills necessary for excellence in professional design practice. “Design firms” of three to six students, supported by faculty members, work on industry-relevant projects proposed by real clients. Emphasis is placed on disciplined adherence to professional design practices (including planning, scheduling, documentation, risk management, and budgeting) and a clear focus on the client’s needs, as well as solutions to technical issues.

We are requesting project proposals that originate from a clear industrial need, and for which you are willing to act as a client for the student team. This involves a time commitment of approximately ten to sixteen hours over the course of eight months (all projects must run September – April), primarily in the areas of project definition and evaluation of deliverables. Clients are also expected to pay for the hardware and fabrication costs associated with building a model or prototype. In return, the students will provide you with approximately one thousand person-hours of time on the project, and will deliver a design report and prototype or model (suited to the scope and size of the Capstone project).

Sponsoring a project has some unique benefits. It is an opportunity to be involved in the education process, and to train the future work force. Other benefits your company receives include:

• An enthusiastic team of students working on your project, advised by a UBC faculty member;
• Fresh new ideas, and a look at things from a different perspective;
• Faculty support to help solve complex technical issues;
• Approximately one thousand person-hours of work to solve your problem;
• A chance to meet possible future employees: graduating mechanical engineering students, including those in the Aerospace, Biomechanical, Mechatronics and Thermofluids options.

Teams will have access to machine tools, qualified technicians, computer facilities (including sophisticated design and analysis software), testing laboratories (such as the aerodynamics, materials testing, and engine laboratories), and testing equipment such as instrumentation and data acquisition systems.

In 45X you are the client. You define the problem, and you evaluate the solution. Acting as a client for a 45X team is very similar to subcontracting a design to another firm. The typical time commitment is approximately 10-16 hours, though you are welcome to provide additional contact time for students if you wish. Your commitment includes:

• Defining the project. The design problem description should include an introduction, a project description, expected outcomes, a list of resources available, and a list of the project requirements. Our faculty supervisors will help you refine the problem description, and ensure the projects are feasible within the course scope.
• Meeting with the students to further define the problem. Ideally, this would take the format of a site visit by the students. The visit allows students to better grasp your requirements, and to ask you questions.
• Providing financial support to cover the materials, engineered parts and fabrication of the prototype. In-kind support is also welcome to build realistic prototypes or models.
• Providing critical assessment of student deliverables, including the concept report, final report and prototype/model.
• If possible, attending the student’s final presentation and providing feedback.

Project proposals are required by mid-August in order to prepare them for student review at the start of September.  The following information should be included in your proposal:

Introduction

Describe the magnitude and scope of the problem being suggested. Give some background, including the reason(s) the project is needed.

Brief Project Description

Please explain additional details regarding the problem to be solved, refer to prior work conducted by the yourself or others, and provide a reasonable estimate of the resources required.  Describe any constraints not addressed in the sections listed below.

Expected Outcomes

What is expected at project completion (for example, prototypes, mockups, beta units of systems, a demonstration, a series of conceptual designs). If possible, list important milestones that could be used to track progress.

Resources Available from the Client

Please list financial, supervisory or other in kind support that will be made available to the team. Note: these may be contingent on how well the students progress through the project.

Project Requirements

List in order of importance your requirements (as envisioned at this stage) for the design in terms of functional performance, aesthetic, cost and other considerations that may be specific to the application. Putting the criteria into two or three categories of importance (for example: must have, nice to have, maybe) is a good start. Please be specific by quantifying your requirements whenever possible.