Mechanical Engineer

Christopher Pitocchelli

978-***-**** **** Mammoth Road , Dracut MA 01826 rkypf8@r.postjobfree.com

Objective To obtain an entry level mechanical engineering position that uses my current engineering skill set to solve challenging problems while providing opportunities to advance my engineering knowledge and career.

Education

University of Massachusetts Lowell

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (December 2011)

Thermo-fluids Concentration

Current GPA 3.69

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (May 2010)

GPA 3.23/4.0

Graduate Coursework: Advanced Aerodynamics, Advanced Fluid Mechanics, Aero/Wind Engineering

Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Solid Mechanics I, Cooling of Electronic Equipment,

Numerical Methods of Partial Differential Equations, Mechanical Vibrations,

Ocean Engineering, MEMS and Microsystems, Polymer Nanocomposites,

Relevant Skills

Design Software: SolidWorks 2009 expert and Pro Engineer use in coursework

Analysis Software: SolidWorks 2009, Pro Engineer, FEMAP,LabVIEW, DACTRON Software, MESCOPE,

Abacus Software use in coursework

Programming Software: MATLAB 2009a, MS Excel 2007, Introduced to Labview 8.0 and MathCAD

Other Software: MS Word 2007, MS PowerPoint 2007, Adept, Final Cut Pro, StreamPix

Precision Machining: 3 Axis milling machine, lathe, and common tools

Graduate Academic/Research Projects

Experimental Examination of Structurally Tailored Flapping Wings (Current, Advisor: Prof. D. Willis)

• Designed, machined, and built a multi-linkage flapping wing mechanism for flapping 6-10 in. flapping wings to 10 Hz.

• Developed a calibration frame and procedure for calibrating the three dimensional space for optical wing shape measurements.

• Performing high speed, synched camera, video recordings of flapping wings.

• Using stereo-photogrammetry techniques to reconstruct three dimensional flapping wing shapes.

• Designing and assembling experimental wings to determine efficient passive structural strategies for minimum energetic flapping based on previous computational research.

• Supervised four undergraduates tasked with building wings and performing other laboratory tasks.

Design of Horizontal Wind Turbine

• Analyzed location citing and wind characterization.

• Aerodynamic design utilizing a MATLAB Blade Element Momentum (BEM) code including blade design (chord length, twist, tip loss etc), power output, loading conditions along blade etc.

• Cost analysis of small wind turbine.

• Created SolidWorks model of designed turbine blade.

• Studied structural loading and general severe wind avoidance with a furling.

Experimental Modal Testing: Vapor Snowboard (Prof. P. Avitabile)

• Performed a roaming hammer technique coupled with accelerometers on a Vapor snowboard.

• Used multiple reference locations to assure accurate data retrieval from devices.

• Analyzed the data from MESCOPE software for the first five (5) modes to determine natural mode frequencies and the corresponding shapes.

• Analyzed and compared frequency response curves of the snowboard to determine the nodes of each mode.

• Determined the amount of influence each mode transferred into the rest of the system.

MATLAB Finite Element Analysis of Horizontal Mixing Device (Prof. Avitabile)

• Used and built simple MATLAB script a simple FEA model of a horizontal mixing device.

• Analyzed modeling parameters such as lump mass, mass distribution, support locations and boundary conditions.

• Determined the natural frequencies, mode shapes, and maximum possible displacement areas.

Undergraduate Academic Projects

Test Apparatus to Determine the Minimum Explosibility of Aluminum-Nickel Nanoparticles (Capstone: Prof. J Chen)

• In a two person team research, design, and construction of a prototype testing apparatus.

• Designed an explosion chamber, uniform particle dispersion method, particle dispersion mechanisms, knowledge of safety requirements, and an ignition source.

• Used SolidWorks Simulation and SolidWorks FlowWorks to verify stress calculations of various components.

• Completed the prototype within a three month period.

Analysis of LVDT and Accelerometer Measurements

• Used an accelerometer and LVDT to analyze the motion of a simple mass-spring oscillatory system.

• Used various mathematical techniques such as numerical integration and differentiation in Microsoft Excel and LabVIEW to ensure accurate measurements from the transducers.

• Removed DC biases and drift from the data collected to obtain a more accurate model of the motion and forces of the system.

Analysis of A Cantilever Beam Modeling the Disk Armature of a Hard Drive

• In a four person team, used a cantilever beam to simulate the maximum accelerations and displacements that the armature of a hard disk drive may experience during a drop test.

• Utilized a PSD laser system, accelerometer, and eddy current probe at various lengths along the beam to collect measurement data.

• Derived the equations with beam bending theory, determined calibration techniques, and collected data.

• Used various tests to determine the acceleration and displacement of the cantilever at any position along the beam with the measurements obtained from any of the transducers within 10% accuracy.

Four Bar Double Dwell Linkage System

• In a project group, designed and analyzed a four bar, double dwell, linkage system using SolidWorks.

• Machined the links using a 3-axis CNC machine, assembled and benchmark tested.

Work Experience

Graduate Research Assistant, Lowell Ma March 2011 - Present

• Experiment to achieve minimum power, passive structurally compliant flapping wings.

• Designing experimental flapping wing mechanism capable of a wide range of flapping amplitudes, and frequencies.

• Design, produce, and test flexible flapping wings to be analyzed with wind tunnel testing.

Engineering Intern, Azores Corporation, Wilmington MA June 2010 – Sept 2010

• Assembled various components of a photolithography system utilizing engineering CAD drawings and wiring diagrams.

• Worked closely with various engineering professionals to improve drawings and troubleshoot designs.

• Introduced to various aspects of design and manufacturing engineering including engineering drawing reworks, inventory management, researching and deciding on various tools and components, and minor machining reworks.

Technical Writer Associate, Azores Corporation, Wilmington MA Aug 2007-Feb2008

• Created PDFs and scanned engineering drawings

• Edited operator manuals, user guides, and training material under instruction of a senior technical writer for a photolithography manufacturer.

Other Experience

Production Technician, Dracut Access Television, Dracut MA Aug 2008-Present

• Utilize cameras, graphics systems, equipment, etc, regarding local access television production.

• Troubleshoot mechanical difficulties with camera equipment.

• Manage program schedules and timeslots to increase program efficiency and appease viewers.

• Communicated with many members of the community to show them the essentials and benefits of local access television.

Honors

Dean’s List: Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2010

Associations

Member of ASME (2008-present)

Order of the Engineer 2010

2nd Degree Blackbelt – United Tae Kwon Do Association

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