Note to editors and news directors: To make arrangements for photos or interviews, please contact
the CSULA Public Affairs at (323) 343-3050.
Combining vintage, high-tech systems,
AeroDef Manufacturing Challenge engages students
Los
Angeles, CA –
With spinners, switches, targets,
flippers, kickers and bumpers, Cal State L.A.’s Golden Eagle Pinball
Machine won first place in the university division at
the AeroDef Manufacturing Exhibition and Conference
Manufacturing Challenge, an exciting hands-on competition to
engage future generations in technology and manufacturing.
Beating out 11 other colleges and
universities with their innovative concept, engineering skills and
problem-solving abilities, the CSULA team members constructed a pinball
machine out of a combination of materials, such as woods, plastics,
composites and various metals. All components were modeled using
high-end 3D parametric design software and then machined using manual
and computer numerical-control methods. A series of electronic
controllers for the lighting and scoring systems were also utilized in
developing the pinball machine.
Under
the direction of faculty adviser
Jai Hong (Fullerton resident), associate professor of industrial
technology, Cal State L.A.’s winning team includes industrial technology
majors Vanessa Arana (Los Angeles resident), Blake Cortis
(North Hollywood), Hernan Garcia (Huntington Park), Mark
Hirami (San Gabriel), Steve Jimenez (Lynwood), Paul
Katsumura (Los Angeles), Jose Padilla (Montebello) and
Sandra Schreiner (Arcadia), along with mechanical engineering major
John Morris (Monrovia resident) and technical staff member
Chris Reid (Lakewood). The event was held recently at the Anaheim
Convention Center.
Professor Hong explained, “The students
faced real-life challenges during the project—from maintaining a budget,
meeting deadlines and time constraints, to tackling mechanical and
electrical problems. Much like in private industry, each team member had
a distinct role in the project.”
For the competition, each part and process
was thoroughly documented, tested, and reviewed for quality assurance.
The pinball machine was developed to showcase its practical, lean
manufacturing design, and its business model.
According to Hong, “To transform an
outdated machine to something new and attractive, the team building the
custom pinball machine applied vintage, mechanical and high-tech
electrical systems that made it stand out from the rest. Congratulations
to our students for their dedication, hard work and achievement!”
AeroDef
Manufacturing Exhibition and Conference
is a new
Society of Manufacturing Engineers event providing manufacturing
solutions for the unique needs of aerospace and defense manufactures.
The conference also provides an opportunity for aerospace manufacturers
to meet with manufacturing technology and process providers featuring
innovative solutions to their industry challenges. The Manufacturing
Challenge is
a stimulating day for collegiate-level
engineering and technology students to demonstrate the importance of
connection between classroom lectures/labs and industrial applications.
For more
information, call the
Department of Technology at Cal State L.A., (323) 343-4550.
CSULA team scores first place with
custom pinball machine
in the real world of
technology, manufacturing
# # #
Working for California since 1947: The 175-acre hilltop campus of California State University, Los Angeles is at the heart of a major metropolitan city, just five miles from Los Angeles’ civic and cultural center. More than 20,000 students and 215,000 alumni—with a wide variety of interests, ages and backgrounds—reflect the city’s dynamic mix of populations. Six Colleges offer nationally recognized science, arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education and humanities programs, among others, led by an award-winning faculty. Cal State L.A. is home to the critically-acclaimed Luckman Jazz Orchestra and to the Honors College for high-achieving students, opening in fall 2011. Programs that provide exciting enrichment opportunities to students and community include an NEH-supported humanities center; a NASA-funded center for space research; and a growing forensic science program, housed in the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center. www.calstatela.edu
Back to: News site | Services for Journalists | Public Affairs | Cal State L.A.