July 2023 - December 2023
July 2024 - December 2024
Photo of an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit)
During my first co-op at Draper, I worked on the mechanical design and integration of Draper’s latest accelerometer technology, supporting the development of next-generation inertial sensing hardware. My contributions focused on precision component design, manufacturability considerations, and integration constraints for high-performance accelerometer assemblies.
In my second co-op, I joined the IMU Platform Control team, where I supported platform-level mechanical design and integration for inertial measurement units. This work involved designing and documenting integration hardware, supporting system-level interfaces, and producing detailed GD&T-driven drawings compliant with ASME Y14.5 and Draper’s internal engineering standards. Specific program details are omitted due to confidentiality.
CAD Designs and Drawings
I created and modeled 50+ drawings using the ASME Y14.5 standard. Many of my projects at Draper involved the design of mechanical test fixtures used to support navigation system hardware during vibration and load testing. Shown here is a fixture I designed to securely hold a system component while maintaining precise alignment and mechanical stability under test conditions.
The design focused on rigidity, proper fitment, and minimizing the introduction of unwanted vibration modes. I applied GD&T callouts to control critical features such as position and flatness, and selected aluminum as the primary material to balance strength, weight, and manufacturability. The fixture was optimized for machining through thoughtful feature placement, fillets, and wall thicknesses while maintaining structural integrity.
Additional Information
I worked on various miscellaneous tasks outside and within the program I was assigned to including but not limited to the following:
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Performed center-of-gravity and mass imbalance analyses to support mechanical balancing efforts, iteratively adjusting component geometry to reduce imbalance while maintaining manufacturability.
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Created parametric CAD models and drawings that allowed rapid iteration across multiple configurations, allowing for efficient evaluation of mass properties and design tradeoffs.
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Developed analytical workflows to determine optimal balancing strategies using measured system responses, translating physical test data into actionable mechanical adjustments.
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Implemented computational tools in MATLAB and Excel to automate calculations related to mass distribution and balancing, improving consistency and reducing manual analysis effort.
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Supported experimental evaluation of material behavior through laboratory testing, gaining hands-on experience interpreting test data and understanding how material properties influence system performance.
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Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams across mechanical, controls, and test engineering to support system-level integration and validation efforts.
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