Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - When University of Wisconsin-Platteville senior Dan Pogorzelski was presented with a building assignment for his synthetic and composite materials class, he decided to take the assignment to the next level and build an electric guitar. Inspired by the emblem of his favorite rock group, Metallica, Pogorzelski used the knowledge aquired from over three years at UWP and countless hobbies to design and create a unique electric guitar.

Pogorzelski has been interested in building since childhood. His major of manufacturing management has allowed him to participate in designing and building projects but none as challenging as creating an electric guitar. Pogorzelski stated, "This was the first major project of my college career, and it turned out great."

The synthetic and composite materials project provides students with the opportunity to imagine a product and ultimately build it, learning applicable techniques along the way. The students first test market their product to verify if a market is available for their idea. Majid Tabrizi, Pogorzelski's synthetic and composite materials professor stated, "Pogorzelski, as a senior student, has demonstrated a good test market resulting in a product he should be proud of showing off."

Over the course of the semester, Pogorzelski spent approximately 167 hours designing and building his electric guitar. He bought an inexpensive electric guitar to use as a base, rewiring the electronic portions and only using the neck and pickups of the guitar. Pogorzelski first drew the design on tag board, then transferred the design onto a thermo-set foam and finally covered the foam with fiberglass. The result: a completely unique electric guitar, ready to rock. Pogorzelski admitted, "I'm definitely not band material yet but my guitar works and plays great."

Pogorzelski is contemplating the idea of building another guitar in the future, perhaps of a wood-base. He would like to use this experience in the future, possibly working in 3D-product design. Pogorzelski stated, "This project opened my eyes to the variety in the plastics industry- I never realized the possibilities out there."

For information regarding Pogorzelski's project or the synthetic and composite materials class, contact Majid Tabrizi, (608) 342-1115,tabrizi@uwplatt.edu