"Engineered to Enable"

BYU-Idaho Engineering Capstone Program 

 

This past Winter Semester, DWI became a sponsor of one of the BYU-I Engineering Capstone classes.  The team consisted of seven students and were tasked on creating solutions that would increase some efficiencies and also allow more individuals to do particular job tasks within DWI’s Work Service program.  The team visited DWI’s Idaho Falls campus and learned about the manufacturing contracts  that clients work on daily.

The team took on two projects that DWI felt would make a greater impact on the number of clients who would be able to participate on certain job tasks.  The students, early on, realized that automation may greatly improve efficiencies, but would not provide the work opportunities desired by clients and fulfill the mission of DWI.  In response, the team adopted the slogan “Engineered to Enable” and fully embraced the challenges of producing items that would be somewhat complex in nature, but needed to be simple to operate.

Over the three months, product development saw several on-site visits to DWI to test prototypes with the clients and determine how best to design and build the next iterations.

The team was successful in completing two projects that will result in greater work opportunities for clients.  However, the overwhelming consensus from DWI staff was that much more was learned.  Not only did the team of students come away with a greater knowledge of the mission of DWI and opportunities for individuals who may have a disability, but they used DWI’s mission to guide them with their designs.  They demonstrated the understanding of meeting the customer’s needs and wants.

DWI calls those who are advocates and supporters of the mission “DWI Champions” These students definitely are “DWI Champions.” Thank you to Nathan, Bryan, Mitch, Bryce, Joseph, Michael, and Mitchell.  And thank you to Professor Bryan Lewis for coordinating the relationship between BYU-Idaho and DWI.

Shirrie showing samples of injection molded items to students
1st Visit viewing Injection Molding
Students watching clients work on the tape line
1st Visit viewing Tape Line
a flimsy cardboard device shows the early concept design for counting device
Early Prototype of Counting device
Client Craig testing the counting device at DWI
Testing of Counter prototype
Students, along with DWI Production Manager Bryan testing the sand dispenser device
Testing Sand Dispenser Prototype
Student Nathan showing powerpoint slide with DWI Mission and Vision
Final Presentation
Entire team of students at front of classroom with powerpoint presentation on screen
Final Presentation team
Student Joseph presenting iterations of the counting device project in a powerpoint presentation.
Presenting Counter Device
Student Bryce presenting the iterations of the sand dispenser project in powerpoint presentation
Presenting Sand Dispenser project
Picture of counting device with fence insulator clips inside the device, team slogan "Engineered to Enable" is burned into the side of the device.
Final Counter with Team Slogan
Sand Dispenser device attached to sand funnel at Tape dispenser assembly line.
Final Sand Dispenser connected to machine
Students shoulder to shoulder in a line with Glenn from DWI and the two projects on a table in front of them.
Team Picture with Glenn from DWI