Dec 17, 2025

The Senior Design Open House is a showcase for our engineering senior design projects. It is held every semester during finals week and is open to the public. Everyone is invited to attend to support the teams, learn more about engineering and its disciplines, or learn more about the program. Typically, teams from mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, engineering physics, software engineering, and sustainability and renewable energy systems will give formal presentations. In addition, civil and environmental engineering will join the other disciplines to display project posters. 

Schedule for Room 335, Busby Hall

Breaks from 10–10:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m., and 2:45–3 p.m.

8:30–9:15 a.m.
Mobile Test Fixture
The Mobile Test Fixture project addresses the need for a safer and more efficient method to test Eaton CB150 circuit breakers with GFCI modules before cabinet installation. The goal is to design a mobile, code-compliant fixture that improves ergonomics, reduces rework time, and meets electrical safety standards.
Sponsored by Rockwell Automation
Group members: Edward Paulson, Ryan Alt, Remington Molnar, Brian Young
9:15–10 a.m.
Mailbox Material Flow
This senior design project addresses safety and efficiency concerns in a mailbox manufacturing process, where work-in-process components are stored on wood pallets and crates. The goal is to develop a solution that improves ergonomics, reduces material movement, and enhances organization while supporting lean manufacturing principles.
Sponsored by Fulton Corp
Group members: Sean Keegans, Brittney Updike, Chloe Rabas, Virginia Weigel
10:15–11 a.m.
Batch Cooking Process
This project focuses on improving the manual batching process, where frozen and fresh ingredients are loaded into a chili production line. The goal is to reduce operator strain and cycle time by developing ergonomic and efficiency-focused solutions that allow the process to be managed by a single operator without compromising safety or union standards.
Sponsored by Hormel Foods
Group members: Joshua Seamonson, Kyle Gant, Addison Morris, Josiah Randle
11–11:45 a.m.
Ice Cube Geometry
The Ice Cube Geometry project focuses on developing an automated ice cube scanning system to replace manual inspection methods. The team researched sensor technologies and designed a modular mechanical system to improve accuracy, efficiency, and integration into future quality control processes.
Sponsored by SubZero/Wolf
Group members: Maverick Bristol, Ryan Nelson, Seth Williams, William Shaker
1:15–2 p.m.
Cheese Debanding
Mentored by Sargento
Group members: Carson Falck, Aaron Zale, Camden Ludwig, Rickey DeYoung
2–2:45 p.m.
Horse Feeder
This project addresses the need to reduce dust and mold exposure during horse feeding, which can lead to respiratory illnesses such as equine asthma. The goal is to design a safe, durable, and cost-effective feeder that removes dust from hay while remaining compatible with existing stall configurations.
Supported by UW-Whitewater
Group members: Brady Hoppert, Cole Krueger, Benjamin Redlin, Michael Orlando
3–3:45 p.m.
Canopy Design
This senior design project focuses on reducing manufacturing costs and improving design flexibility for a commercial canopy pan by transitioning to an in-house aluminum extrusion profile. The team developed a self-mating U-channel design with interlocking features to ensure rapid assembly and weather-tight joints while meeting critical customer requirements.
Supported by Baraboo Tent and Awning
Group members: Luke Akerman, Evan Ott, Ashton Wendt, Thor Rosten

Schedule for Room 336, Busby Hall

Breaks from 10–10:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m., and 2:45–3 p.m.

8:30–9:15 a.m.
Tube Bender
This project focuses on automating and improving the production of tubular handles for dustpan assemblies. The team analyzed deficiencies in existing pneumatic tube-bending machines and developed solutions to enhance performance, safety, and efficiency, while incorporating lean manufacturing principles and OSHA-compliant designs.
Sponsored by Fulton Corp
Group members: Tyler Tellock, Tyler Nachreiner, Alexander Weller
9:15–10 a.m.
Speaker Cone Resonance
This senior design project investigates how environmental factors such as heat and humidity influence paper speaker cone resonance. The team developed a comprehensive test plan using industry standards and multiple measurement methods to ensure accuracy. The project aims to provide insights that will help improve manufacturing processes and quality criteria.
Sponsored by Loudspeaker Components
Group members: Audrey Franklin, Jeremiah Butkovich, Wyatt Willey, Matthew Shannon
10:15–11 a.m.
Lake Weeds Air Removal
The Lake Weeds Air Removal project tackles invasive aquatic weeds by using compressed air to uproot them at the root level, unlike traditional methods that only cut surface growth. The team designed and prototyped an air-delivery system meeting key specifications and validated its effectiveness through testing.
Supported by Kent Tabor
Group members: Jesse Mercer, Miranda Farr, Connor Hendrickson, Alexander Simaras
11–11:45 a.m.
TIM Characterization Test Fixture
This project focuses on designing and building a test fixture to characterize thermal interface materials (TIMs) used in variable frequency drive motors. The fixture follows ASTM standards to measure thermal conductivity accurately and consistently, helping validate manufacturer claims and select the best materials for heat dissipation and product longevity.
Sponsored by Danfoss
Group members: Joseph Kloos, Charles Estabrooks, Kyle Brattleaf, Josiah Chapman
1:15–2 p.m.
Paint Line Cleaning
Sponsored by Apogee
Group members: Jarren Wojcik, Mason Esser, Gabriel Day, Devin Niemczyk
2–2:45 p.m.
Integrated Environmental Sensors for Recreational Boaters 
This senior design project focuses on creating a self-sustaining sensor assembly that collects water and air data to support environmental research. Designed for easy deployment from recreational boats, the system streamlines data collection and enables volunteers to contribute to conservation efforts conveniently and safely.
Mentored by Waterways
Group members: Andrew Himmelmann, Josh Zitzer, Heath Piaskowski, Garrett Schinker
3–3:45 p.m.
Digital QB Electronic Pressure Regulator
This senior design project focuses on developing a prototype network module that enables IO-Link communication for pressure control valves. The project explores IO-Link as a cost-effective and reliable industrial standard, laying the foundation for future integration of communication and control hardware.
Sponsored by Proportion Air
Group members: Zachary Ascher, Jared Wunschel, Mitch Koch, Nicholas Loehrke

Schedule for Room 350, Sesquicentennial Hall

Breaks from 10–10:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m., and 2:45–3 p.m.

8:30–9:15 a.m.
Spray Foam/Hemp
Sponsored by H.I.P Panel Co
Group members: Nathan Barganz, Alexander Knerzer, Zachariah Lewerenz
9:15–10 a.m.
Amplify Alarm Prototype
This senior design project focuses on creating an innovative alarm system that wakes users with a fine mist of essential oils instead of sound. The design aims to provide a pleasant and customizable wake-up experience through a wall-mounted clock and removable pod, controlled via a smartphone app.
Supported by AMplify LLC
Group members: Hayden Caygill, James Breidenbach, Jake Steines, Trey Bartels
10:15–11 a.m.
Thermo-form Tray Recycling
The Thermoform Tray Recycling project addresses the challenge of recycling PET plastic trays contaminated with hydraulic oil and rust preventive compounds, which previously prevented reuse and led to significant landfill waste. The goal is to identify a cost-effective solution by either partnering with recyclers willing to accept lightly oiled trays or developing an in-house cleaning process that meets industry standards.
Mentored by Husco
Group members: Liam Milliron, Spencer Bauer, Luke Garvens
11–11:45 a.m.
Cord Companion
This project focuses on developing a compact, retractable phone charger designed to provide greater cord length and improved usability compared to existing products. The design aims to address limitations in current retractable chargers, such as restricted cord length, inconvenient retraction mechanisms, and ergonomic challenges.
Supported by UW-Whitewater
Group members: Mary Ellen Moran, Grant Bohnsack, Michael Metz
1:15–2 p.m.
Tilt Table
The Tilt Table project addresses the need for improved quality inspection by developing a device capable of tilting products in two axes for testing and analysis. The goal is to create a compact, accurate, and safe tilt table that meets strict size, weight, and usability requirements while supporting efficient inspection processes.
Sponsored by Plexus
Group members: Ryan Zablocki, Paul Keintz, Jackson Restoule
2–2:45 p.m.
Scavenged Power
Sponsored by Presto
Group members: Benjamin Dorn, Tyler Falch, Matthew Rolf, Trevor Foss
3–3:45 p.m.
Robotic Explorer for Hypothesized Surfaces
This senior design project explores a conceptual landing system for a theoretical rover on asteroid 16-Psyche. The design features dual functionality for landing and traversal, addressing challenges such as extreme temperatures, unknown surface conditions, and potential cold-welding, while incorporating aerospace solutions and structural analysis to ensure reliability.
Supported by NASA
Group members: Robert Mason, Johnathan Legrange, Austin Braaksma, Noah Reiser