Western Engineering Design Day showcases innovation and impact

Western Engineering’s graduating students showcased their ingenuity and problem-solving skills at this year’s Design Day. The annual event highlights the capstone projects of undergraduate students enrolled in MME 4499—Mechanical Engineering Design Project and MSE 4499—Mechatronic Systems Engineering Design Project.

Over the course of seven months, students transform an initial problem statement into a fully developed solution, culminating in the presentation of their prototypes, manufacturing documentation, cost analysis and design iterations to judges and guests.

This year, 42 student teams presented their work, demonstrating technical excellence and real-world applications with meaningful societal impact.

Innovative Solutions for Wildlife Rehabilitation

Salthaven

Students: Paige Hughes, Michaela Cacic, Claire Francis, Baileigh Richman

One student team partnered with Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, a Strathroy-based organization dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of sick, injured, orphaned and compromised wildlife. They aim to return healthy animals to their natural habitats while increasing public awareness about Canadian wildlife conservation.

The team has designed specialized plastic splints for leg fractures in waterfowl, addressing a critical need in avian rehabilitation. The final deliverables include customized right and left-leg splints tailored for Canada Geese and Mallard ducks to support their recovery and improve their chances of survival post-treatment.

Enhancing Classroom Engagement with Smart Nameplates

Ivey Nameplate

Students: Peter Guatto, Evan Safari, Eric Gallant, Noah Menéndez, Anton Zubko, Simon Helleman, Hangjing Li

Another team collaborated with the Ivey Business School to modernize student identification and participation tracking in classrooms.

Currently, Ivey uses physical nameplates for attendance and engagement. The student team developed an electronic nameplate system, integrating two-sided LCD displays with Wi-Fi connectivity. This solution aims to streamline attendance tracking and enhance classroom interaction, offering a seamless and modern alternative to traditional methods.

Advancing Medical Technology with Thornhill Medical

Thornhill Medical

Students: James Monk, Natalie Loewen, Josh Fritz, Lawson Cumming

Students worked with Thornhill Medical, a global leader in life-saving medical technology, to enhance the MOVES SLC—a portable, micro-integrated life support system.

MOVES SLC is a cutting-edge, FDA-cleared and Health Canada-approved device that integrates an oxygen concentrator, ventilator, suction and vital signs monitoring into a single compact unit. While already a highly effective solution used in disaster relief and combat zones, the student team is focused on optimizing the device’s mechanical design to improve its durability while maintaining regulatory compliance. Their final report will propose design modifications aimed at reducing weight and enhancing assembly robustness, ensuring the device remains at the forefront of critical care technology.

Hand Assistive Device for Stroke Patients

Laser Polishing

Students: Aidan Grasby, Ben Mazan, Thomas Glionna, Will Zinkie

Assistive technology can help connect people to the world in ways previously thought impossible. MSE students set their sights on developing a wearable mechatronics device designed to assist stroke patients in opening their hands, as well as aiding in rehabilitation by improving the mind-muscle connection through the use of EMG signals.

Autonomous Tree-Planting System for Reforestation and Forest Management

Tree Planting

Students: Matt Haverko, Ryan McCuaig, Josh Sugar, Thorben Wenneme

Manual tree planting faces limitations in terms of physical strain, potential injuries as well as a number of environmental factors. These MSE students wanted to address those limitations by developing an autonomous system capable of efficiently planting trees across a variety of challenging environments, ultimately improving upon the systems of manual labour and existing automated methods.

Adjustable Variable Focus Lens for Laser Polishing

Laser Polishing

Students: Jordan Won, Vito Yang, Ansh Parashar, Sean Xu

This project aims at developing a fluid-controlled varifocal lens system for laser polishing in CNC machining. The lens dynamically adjusts its focal length using a servo-driven piston and a closed-loop control system, enabling precise energy delivery for improved surface finishes.

Celebrating Engineering Excellence

Each of these projects reflects the dedication and problem-solving capabilities of Western Engineering students.

Design Day not only serves as a platform for students to exhibit their technical capabilities but also as a testament to their ability to tackle real-world challenges. Whether improving wildlife rehabilitation, advancing manufacturing processes or refining life-saving medical devices, these projects underscore the far-reaching impact of engineering innovation.

As Western Engineering continues to foster a culture of creativity and excellence, Design Day remains a key milestone in preparing students for the future—where their expertise and ingenuity will shape industries and improve lives worldwide.