Meet Capstone Team 16: Acoustic Position Sensor

As we mentioned in our last post, we love working with universities to introduce students to proportional electro-pneumatic principles and provide hands-on experiences that they can’t get anywhere else. We’re sponsoring two capstone teams at Purdue Polytechnic this year. Read on for details on Team 16, and if you missed Team 15’s story, you can find it here. The five students who make up Team 16 have spent the last semester working on an acoustic position sensor for pneumatic cylinders.

Meet Team 16

The five students who make up Team 16 have spent the last semester working on an acoustic position sensor for pneumatic cylinders.

Jason Ripper

Coming to West Lafayette from Edelstein, Illinois, Jason is a senior majoring in audio engineering technology and electrical engineering technology. He’s Team 16’s testing and validation manager. On campus, he’s active in motorcycling and Boiler Blade, a full-contact medieval combat sport (check this out).

Jason’s work experience includes an internship with Milwaukee Tool and co-op with Caterpillar Gas Engines Electronics System Engineering.

Jacob Nicholson

Jacob is a Fort Wayne, Indiana, resident when not on campus. He’s majoring in mechanical engineering technology and automation and systems integration engineering technology. Jacob is the mechanical design leader and manufacturing process manager for the team.

Grand Prix, Purdue’s annual go-kart race, tops his list for campus activities. His work experience includes internships at Auburn Gear and RBC Bearings, as well as time at PHD Inc.

TJ Manifold

Rising Sun, Indiana, native TJ is a senior in electrical engineering technology. When he’s on campus, you’ll likely find him on a basketball court. TJ serves as the team’s secretary and budget/cost manager.

His internship experience includes time as an electrical engineer intern for MGP Ingredients in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

Nico Macchiavello

Nico of McLean, Virginia, is pursuing a double major in electrical & audio engineering technology with a certificate in music technology. A self-described “music fanatic” with his own home studio, he’s involved with Purdue Music Producers on campus.

For Team 16, he’s the project manager and electrical design lead.

While he has had a variety of work experiences, his favorite internship so far has been with HARMAN International as an acoustic engineer. This valuable position allowed him to take his engineering knowledge and skills to the next level.

Ian Cockrell

Team 16’s manufacturing process manager, Ian, comes from Carmel, Indiana. He’s a senior majoring in robotics engineering technology with a minor in electrical engineering technology. His relevant work experience includes serving as a manufacturing intern at DiVaero in Indianapolis.

When he’s at Purdue, you’re likely to find him on a pitch – the playing field for hurling, where he serves as a team captain.

As we move into the next semester, keep watching our social media channels for updates on how their project moves forward.