Industry Information
Capstone Design - An Opportunity for Industry
Industry Relevant
At UBC, we have created a radically different senior level design experience. The Mech 45X Capstone Design program emphasizes the teamwork and management skills necessary for excellence in professional design practice. “Design firms” of three to six students, supported by faculty members and a UBC-recruited Professional Mentor, work on industry-relevant projects proposed by real clients. Emphasis is placed on disciplined adherence to professional design practices (including planning, scheduling, documentation, risk management, and economics) and a clear focus on the client’s needs, as well as solutions to technical issues.
We are requesting project proposals that originate from a clear industrial need, and for which you are willing to act as a client for the student team. This involves a time commitment of approximately ten to fifteen hours over the course of eight months (all projects must run September - April), primarily in the areas of project definition and evaluation of deliverables. In return, the students will provide you with approximately one thousand person-hours of time on the project, and will deliver a design report and working prototype or model (depending on the scope and size of the project).
A Unique Opportunity
Sponsoring a project has some unique benefits. It is an opportunity to be involved in the education process, and to train the future work force. Other benefits your company receives include:
- An enthusiastic team of students working on your project, advised by an experienced,UBC-recruited, Professional Mentor
- Fresh new ideas, and a look at things from a different perspective
- Faculty support to help solve complex technical issues
- Approximately one thousand person-hours of work to solve your problem
- A chance to meet possible future employees: graduating students in mechanical engineering, including those in the Mechatronics and Thermofluids options.
Teams will receive some financial and material resources from UBC, and will have access to machine tools, qualified technicians, computer facilities (including sophisticated design and analysis software), testing laboratories (such as the aerodynamics, materials testing, ship model basin, and engine laboratories), and testing equipment such as instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
Your Commitment
In 45X you are the client. You define the problem, and you evaluate the solution. Acting as a client for a 45X team is very similar to subcontracting a design to another firm. The total time commitment is approximately 10-15 hours, though you are welcome to provide additional contact time for students if you wish. Your commitment includes:
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Defining the project. The design problem description should include an introduction, a project description, expected outcomes, a list of resources available, and a list of customer requirements. Our faculty supervisors will help you refine the problem description, and ensure the projects are feasible within the course scope.
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Meeting with the students to further define the problem. Ideally, this would take the format of a site visit by the students. The visit allows students to better grasp your requirements, and to ask you questions.
- Providing critical assessment of student deliverables, including the concept report, final report and prototype/model.
- If possible, attending the student’s final presentation and providing feedback.
- Financial or in-kind support to build realistic prototypes or models.
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Last reviewed 
12/15/2009 10:19:57 AM