MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PORTFOLIO
Capstone Project
The Capstone project was completed by a group of four, under the guidance of a dedicated supervisor who provided oversight and support throughout the process. This year-long project required each group member to contribute approximately 8 hours per week, fostering a strong sense of collaboration and teamwork. Through consistent effort and effective communication, we were able to complete the project efficiently and to a high standard.
The objective of the project was to develop two innovative designs for an OarBoard, a device that converts any paddle board into a rowboat. Whitehall Productions, a company that manufactures this product, served as the basis for our project. Our Capstone Supervisor, a regular user of the OarBoard, identified several issues with the current design and tasked us with developing two solutions.
​
The first design solution was to be a fully conceptual model. Using CAD software, we created a detailed digital representation of the OarBoard, simulating all stress and loading scenarios. This design adhered closely to the form of the existing product while addressing its known problems, ensuring that Whitehall Productions could implement our improvements with minimal changes to their manufacturing process. Once completed, this design was to be submitted to Whitehall Productions for potential integration into their product line.
​
The second design involved creating a new, manufacturable OarBoard from scratch. With a modest budget of $500, we were tasked with developing and building this new design. Most of the manufacturing took place in the school's workshops, with materials procured through the workshop supervisors. We ensured that the new OarBoard met rowing guidelines to provide a rowing experience comparable to a traditional rowing shell. This hands-on approach allowed us to explore innovative design concepts while adhering to practical constraints.
