Parker Barton

Summary

Led competitive VEX robotics team 9364C, resulting in 50+ awards, 8 signature event champions, and two times world division finalists. Hands on experience with CAD, prototyping, documentation, and programming. Competed at the highest levels of competition.

Problem

Vex is a robotics competition league where over 10,000 teams compete world wide in tournaments of different levels. Each year the GDC releases a new game for teams to compete in. Each team builds, programs, and documents their robot for that game.

Inspiration

Each robot is meticulously designed to solve each years game using the engineering design cycle. This process is documented in an engineering notebook.

Solution

Design and built mechanisms of all kind including: drivetrains, lifting mechanisms, claws, intakes, ratchets, PTOs, and many more. Personal experience designing 20+ robots in Fusion 360.

Summary

Oversaw onboarding and recruitment of more than 50 new members while directing the design of Robot Two through rapid prototyping and custom fabrication.

Problem

Vex University has a few major differences from Vex VRC. Design restrictions regarding 3d prints and stock are lifted, as are electronics and software. Teams also build, document, and program two robots instead of one. This allows for more strategic gameplay and unique robots.

Inspiration

VexU gives way to custom fabrication and rapid prototyping with 3d printing and machining. This allows teams to make use of machines like water jets, laser cutters, CNC mills, and 3D printers offering a valuable learning experience to competitors.

Solution

Directed the design and fabrication of subsystems with CAD modeling, custom machining, and 3D printing. Coordinated goal creation, built timelines,and set weekly team meetings. Ensured all subteams were working cohesively and staying on track.

Summary

Engineered and prototyped a custom face-balanced putter and toe-weighted 7-iron in Fusion 360, milling the putter head from aluminum and steel at the Purdue Design and Innovation Center.

Problem

The zero torque putter has recently become the center attraction for golfers. These putters center the shaft at the putter heads center of gravity to resist natural twisting and turning. These putters are typically expensive and dont offer specific alignment aids.

Inspiration

Customizing aspects of a putter head can allow the user to tailor their club to what they like. By modifying the following you can achieve different effects: alignment aids, shape, shaft location, surface angle, weight distribution, and the weight of the putter head.

Solution

To make the design easy to configure, variable surfaces make use of parametrics. The standard surface angle is tilted at 4 degrees to minimize spin and help the ball roll smoothly. There is a horizontal visual aid to help the user keep the putter on plane. The center of gravity is positioned 0.25 in behind the shaft, this is known as face balanced, and it helps keep the putter square.

Summary

Digitally restored the Barton family crest in AutoCAD and produced custom engraved keychains using Purdue Bechtel facilities.

Problem

The only remaining document of the family crest was a distorted and fuzzy picture of the emblem.

Inspiration

The idea was to restore and refine the logo for use on official documentation, this led to the opportunity to fabricate keepsakes for family members.

Solution

Used AutoCAD to recreate the crest and make edits. Used the refurbished CAD to laser engrave the crest onto stock at Purdues Design and Innovation Center.

Summary

Designed and fabricated a portable field-raising system to improve storage and setup of robotics tournament fields.

Problem

Vex Robotics competition rules states that competition fields must be raised two feet of the floor. This typically means using and storing stage risers. These are bulky and take upwards of two hours to set up just one of them. This slows down the set up process and makes storing them difficult.

Inspiration

By creating a field raiser that can store not only itself but the field that sits on it would maximize setup time and make storage easier.

Solution

Used Fusion 360 to CAD the initial design, purchasing parts from McMaster and Home Depot while keeping a strict budget. The design hinged at the center point of the field and could be folded upwards for storage. To setup the field three locks would need to be unclipped and the field slowly unfolds.

Summary

Spearheaded the renovation of the Purdue Sigbots lab by removing outdated equipment, repairing and painting walls, and installing upgraded storage including shelves, cupboards, and drawers.

Problem

The Purdue SigBots was established in 2010, 15 years ago. Since its founding there have been minimal changes to the workspace, as the years progressed the wear and tear on the lab worsened. There were holes in the walls, shelves were moldy and crumbling, and the equipment was old and often broken.

Inspiration

To improve workspace safety, organization, and efficiency a reinvention was needed.

Solution

To raise funds we acquired sponsorships and donations. The plan was put together in CAD with Fusion 360 and budgeted in Excel. Furniture, paint, spackle, and equipment was bought through home depot, husky, and amazon.

Summary

Designed and fabricated a custom skateboard grip tape with a AirTag compartment integrated into custom spacers for location tracking.

Problem

Unfortunately theft is common on a college campus. Things like bikes, scooters, and skateboards are common targets.

Inspiration

To combat this problem a tracking system, or form of labeling is needed.

Solution

Made custom 3d printed skateboard spacers in Inventor. They concealed within them a slot for an AirTag. The spacers fit between the trucks and the board and worked to keep the airtag safe.

Summary

Designed and mass-produced 3D-printed hooks compatible with standard dorm furniture like lofted beds and tables, successfully marketing and distributing them to fellow students.

Problem

Dorms are small and leave little space for storage.

Inspiration

To keep the room clean and tidy something was necessary to help us organize.

Solution

Fusion 360 was used to model several types of utility hooks. Using the latches on the side of a lofted bed the hooks would click into the slots keeping them supported and sturdy. Other models would fit the sides of the standard issue tables making them easy to set up. Using an online platform custom hooks were sold to students at Purdue.

Summary

Worked with roommates to design and build a multifunctional cat structure including a scratch post, elevated bed, and enclosed play area. The project was modeled in CAD and constructed from wood.