Product Design and Development:
This type of capstone project focuses on taking a design from conceptualization all the way through to prototype development. Students will go through each stage of the design process, which includes establishing requirements, performing background research, brainstorming ideas, selecting a final design concept, making detailed engineering drawings, building computer models, creating prototypes, testing, and evaluating the design. Some examples of product design capstone projects include developing an assistive device, creating a new type of robotic system, or designing consumer electronics. Students learn everything involved in bringing a new product to life.
Process Improvement:
For this kind of project, students analyze an existing production process or system and find ways to improve its efficiency, quality, safety, cost-effectiveness, or environmental impact. They conduct a thorough review of how the current process works, identify issues or bottlenecks, conduct research on best practices, develop alternative solutions, and recommend process changes with quantitative justifications. Example projects may involve redesigning aspects of a manufacturing line, improving maintenance procedures, developing new quality control methods, or creating strategies for waste reduction. This teaches real-world process analysis and engineering problem-solving skills.
Structural Design and Analysis:
This capstone focuses on engineering principles related to various structures – buildings, bridges, towers, vehicles, etc. Students design structural components that will carry loads and stresses, often using computer-aided engineering tools for modeling, simulation, and calculations. Their structural designs are evaluated based on criteria like strength, weight, cost, manufacturability, longevity, and meeting building codes. Example projects involve designing truss or frame structures, optimizing vehicle chassis, creating foundation plans for a building, or building scale structural models. Reinforced concrete, steel, and composite materials may all be utilized. This develops skills in structural analysis, load calculation techniques, and material selection.
Controls and Automation:
For controls and automation capstone projects, students configure industrial machines, robots, vehicles, or other systems to operate automatically through programmable logic controllers, microcontrollers, software coding, sensors, and actuators. They design control systems from scratch that make use of feedback mechanisms, input/output interfaces, and control algorithms to achieve automated behaviors. Example projects involve creating autonomous robots capable of navigation and complex tasks, developing automated packaging machines, programming industrial robotic arms for welding applications, or coding self-driving vehicle controls. This teaches core skills for automation engineering careers like programming logic, feedback control theory, and system integration.
Sustainable Systems Design:
These sustainability capstone projects focus on designing and developing new products or systems that minimize environmental impact through green engineering strategies like reducing waste and pollution, conserving energy and materials, or reusing components at the end of life. Students apply principles of industrial ecology, biomimicry, and circular economy thinking. Example projects involve creating renewable energy generation systems like small wind turbines or solar panels, developing eco-friendly packaging from sustainable materials, designing green buildings, or engineering closed-loop systems with zero waste outcomes. Students learn crucial skills for careers in green manufacturing, eco-friendly product development, and sustainability consulting.
Some additional types of engineering capstone projects include development of medical devices, assistive technologies, aerospace components, computational simulations, large-scale infrastructure designs, energy audits and retrofits, and enterprise-level technology systems. No matter the exact focus area, the goal of all capstone projects is for students to demonstrate mastery of every stage of the design process, from concept to prototype, while solving real-world engineering problems. The projects push students to exercise both their technical knowledge as well as “soft” skills like project management, teamwork, communication, and self-directed learning – thus preparing them tremendously for future careers in industry.