https://www.nathanctng.com/experience daily 0.75 2024-03-30 https://www.nathanctng.com/lunabotics daily 0.75 2024-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/31d41f64-261d-45dd-aa21-77630c787677/Image+from+iOS.jpg Lunabotics - WPI NASA Lunabotics On my senior capstone Major Qualifying Project (MQP), I held 2 roles: excavator mechanical engineer and public outreach officer. Our team receieved the WPI Provost Award Honorable Mention for this project. Watch our presentation here! Watch our competition run here! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/c0862470-2594-4bee-bfdf-e1fd5bfe09f4/outreach+event.jpg Lunabotics - Public Outreach Officer As a public outreach officer, I was tasked with securing funding from both third-party companies and from university programs. I was also responsible for our poster and all of our team’s videos for project presentation. In total, we were able to raise $11,500 in cash sponsorships and supplies. Furthermore, as part of the competition, we organized public outreach events for K-12 students to help usher in the next generation of engineers. I personally set up a brainstorming workshop for high school juniors where they were tasked with coming up with a sensors solution for Amazon delivery quadcopters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/8d1199f8-d26b-4bf0-8db7-106ffa68a569/exc+unt.png Lunabotics - Excavator Mechanical Engineer For this lunar mining competition, the excavator is the central mechanism that allows our robot to collect gravel for points. Our robot featured a rotating conveyor belt with teethed grousers that act as scoops. To rotate in and out of its digging position, the robot uses a chain and sprocket system controlled by a car window motor and to translate in and out of the ground, the excavator has an internal lead screw with a motorized screw. For dust protective features, our excavator had polycarbonate side plates lined with brushes. My main contributions to the excavator subteam were designing and manufacturing the belt tensioner, the dust-protective side plates, and the internal structure and carriage system. I was also the main contributor for our systems engineering paper for which we were awarded the ‘Leaps and Bounds Systems Engineering Award’ by NASA. https://www.nathanctng.com/ball-maze daily 0.75 2024-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1634443856040-FBPDT2RF88OHUHP940Q5/Ball+maze+with+lights.PNG Ball Maze - Collaborative Ball Maze Toy for Children with Cerebral Palsy Our team designed a large ball maze that requires 3 players to play and incorporates therapeutic measures for cerebral palsy. The undersides of each tubed section has easy grip tape to make holding the toy easier. There are also LED circuits inside each tube that are toggled on and off by tube rotation to provide visual stimulation. Each tube can also rotate which encourages physical therapy in the form of a game. Lastly, with each tube rotation, there is a clicking sound caused by limit switches when the LEDs turn on that acts as audio stimuli. Ultimately, this is a toy that can be played with by both children with and without cerebral palsy that also caters to the needs of children with cerebral palsy. As far as the construction goes, the joint are PVC 120 degree joints, the rainbow wrappings are duct tape, the physical mazes are 3D printed in transluscent PLA, and the clear tube surrounding the maze is cut from clear polycarbonate tubing. https://www.nathanctng.com/dough-maker daily 0.75 2024-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1634444767493-NXZ6MS1XVQI2YOUHJEOU/dough+cutter.PNG Dough Maker - Dough Flattener and Cutter for High School Students in Afghanistan To fabricate this prototype, we put large input crank on the outside of the box attached to a crankshaft in the center. The mechanism involves 2 pistons: the flattener and the cutter. When the crank is moved, the flattener in the middle pushes down and is followed by the cutter soon after (the crank drives both pistons). The flattening piston is in the middle and the cutting piston with blades fits around the outside of the flattening piston. There is a space under both pistons so that dough can be pushed through. The crank wheel on the side has multiple holes so that the user can change the crank position and change the input force. The front and back plates are laser cut from acrylic. The wooden parts (aside from the cardboard slider on the bottom) are laser cut from wood. The crankshaft parts are 3D printed. https://www.nathanctng.com/radial-engine daily 0.75 2024-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/c2ab3a3a-f505-4ced-a065-aebdc1095af0/radial+engine.PNG Radial Engine Radial Engine Complete Assembly https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/61756c99-807d-4ca5-8aef-229d0ef0fa6b/radial+engine+assembly.PNG Radial Engine Radial Engine Exploded View https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/4e71f7ea-03e4-4bf1-9948-6eb267bb6aa4/master+rod+subassembly.PNG Radial Engine Master Rod Subassembly https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/7b58d915-cbff-4256-8247-25b50561eba7/master+rod+drawing.PNG Radial Engine Master Rod Drawing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/a407bf65-fb64-48e5-9e79-e999c2a1063e/articulated+rod+drawing.PNG Radial Engine Articulated Rod Drawing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/74683eb8-4ea4-4bd8-bce1-633abab7d732/piston+drawing.PNG Radial Engine Piston Drawing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/b041d19e-f37c-401d-a913-4653658123ee/pin+drawing.PNG Radial Engine Piston Pin Plug Drawing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/fd73d222-dbe7-434b-b684-3464369ac789/ring+drawing.PNG Radial Engine Piston Ring Drawing https://www.nathanctng.com/grand-piano daily 0.75 2024-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1635358349757-B2LE3Y33512V1EA3WUCA/Auditorium+Stage.PNG Grand Piano - Dream it As a kid, this was all I wanted, to play piano on stage in a huge concert hall. But since I didn’t get that chance, I made sure I got the chance to on my laptop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1635358310513-T6S64P9QTAGRRXMX4EKL/Auditorium.PNG Grand Piano - A Different Perspective Maybe you’re getting old and forgot your glasses at home, here’s a closer balcony view of the stage! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1635358119199-9DWHFQJSHQCPPX2HHWR5/keyboard+printed.PNG Grand Piano - Sheet Rack Extensions in Practice Here are the two sheet rack extensions that I decided to print. Each part has a hook that allows it to connect to the unit beside it (including the original sheet rack). The white extension was the first iteration and the black extension the second; the the only difference between the two is that the black extension has more empty space to reduce filament used when printing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1635357992502-BXO6VKVTUDPEYSBPOMQ5/keyboard+extension+cad.PNG Grand Piano - Keyboard Sheet Rack Extensions When playing piano, I often found that I would run out of space on my sheet stand very quickly and couldn’t have more than two pages of music on at a time. To solve this issue, I created sheet rack extensions that could be 3D printed. I started by first modeling my keyboard and sheet rack to help me visualize the space I had to work with. Next, I worked on modeling the extensions. During this process, I had two main objectives in mind. The first objective was that I wanted each extension unit to be able to connect to other extensions so that I could change the effective length of the sheet rack depending on what song I was playing. the second objective was to minimize the amount of filament used when printing without compromising the part’s rigidity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1635358230842-3KD92ULWPAP0SN3UM86R/grand%2Bpiano_auto_x2.jpg Grand Piano - Final CAD Model Here is an isometric view of the final grand piano model with the bench. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1635358155882-PIAEP5ZXRKLLAAS40VDG/Grand+Piano+Front+View.PNG Grand Piano - Grand Piano Since I was already making my keyboard, I thought that it wouldn’t be THAT much of a stretch to also make a grand piano. I found a 360 degree view of a Yamaha grand piano for reference and worked off of that to create the foundation for this piano. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1635358265464-XWMS87XDR5RPLRWST826/Auditorium+Back.PNG Grand Piano - Sit Back and Relax After I finished the model of the grand piano, I kind of felt a little empty, so what’s the logical thing to do? Keep going with the project and model a huge auditorium that can seat almost 300 people! Here is a view from the back balcony. https://www.nathanctng.com/cad-model-gallery daily 0.75 2024-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/234d9235-7ded-4234-b525-9d3811f703c1/engine.PNG CAD Model Gallery This is a 4-piston internal combustion engine made with SOLIDWORKS. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/7738429e-efef-4146-b0f8-1a5ea7c8b9a5/bathroom.PNG CAD Model Gallery This is my home bathroom that I modeled wiith SOLIDWORKS xDesign. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/9bb29535-b722-43a3-ac15-aac2492b4151/cat+fountain.PNG CAD Model Gallery This is my home sink and a mechanism to help my cat drink out of it easier. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/6145772a-a9e8-411d-bd7b-e53fdb7af3e1/pac+man.PNG CAD Model Gallery This is a 3D model Pac-Man, similar to that in the newer Super Smash Bros games. I made this model using a combination of SOLIDWORKS xDesign and xShape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/aeabd7f3-d742-4302-aafa-6ec6132ed64a/table+fan.PNG CAD Model Gallery This is a simple table fan that I modeled in SOLIDWORKS. https://www.nathanctng.com/home daily 1.0 2024-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/64d841f4-cb14-47a1-8c61-a5571d1b1237/nathan_crop.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/12cd8a2c-473a-441a-bff6-dfd998596742/ML2-removebg-preview.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/75328873-e3d1-4377-8925-4b4b63301912/meta_quest-removebg-preview.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/debb45c7-abcd-4fd6-974e-74470677bcea/vacmop-removebg-preview.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/ab7df34c-d458-443c-bbf0-7348361789ad/grand_piano_auto_x2-removebg-preview.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/36776dbc-c858-49f5-a91b-ec548b0aa50b/lunabotics_logo-removebg-preview.png https://www.nathanctng.com/projects1 daily 0.75 2024-02-27 https://www.nathanctng.com/projects1/technical-projects monthly 0.5 2024-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1634413961778-UC0YPAVLMGZQC7A6WYIA/Ball+maze+with+lights.PNG Projects - Technical Projects - Collaborative Ball Maze Toy for Children with Cerebral Palsy I completed this project in a group of 5 to engineer a large ball maze made for children with cerebral palsy. Initially, our team found that in the toy industry, children with disabilities were incredibly underrepresented and children with cerebral palsy often felt excluded because they couldn’t play with the same toys as other children. This project was our team’s solution to encouraging interaction between the groups while also promoting the motor skills of children with cerebral palsy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1634448125860-XOUAJARNHO4KBA959OL7/radial+engine.PNG Projects - Technical Projects - Radial Engine This is a radial engine assembly I created in SOLIDWORKS, along with relevant engineering drawings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/9e43c43c-cc11-41cd-97ad-cf2224d7fd76/engine.PNG Projects - Technical Projects - CAD Models Here is a collection of assorted CAD models that I have made with either SOLIDWORKS or SOLIDWORKS xDesign/xShape. *xDesign and xShape are cloud-based CAD programs on the Dassault Systèmes 3DExperience Platform. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1634437004032-UF32OF9Y5WVARATYLHO2/dough+cutter+square.PNG Projects - Technical Projects - Dough Flattener and Cutter for High School Students in Afghanistan I worked in a team of 4 to design and manufacture a device meant to help high school students in Afghanistan learn about mechanism synthesis and the concept of mechanical advantage. In essence, the device is designed to flatten dough and cut it into even squares. In a wartorn country such as Afghanistan, it can often be deadly to just travel to school, so a product to help learn about engineering at home provides the oppportunity to learn about STEM without much risk. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/b7d1bf63-dddf-4f53-9488-3a662fb8e624/grand+piano_auto_x2.jpg Projects - Technical Projects - Grand Piano CAD and Sheet Rack Extensions One of my favorite things to do in my free time is play piano and I also really enjoy doing CAD. So I thought that it was would be a great exercise for me to try to model some sheet rack extensions for my keyboard, a full scale grand piano and even a concert hall to put the grand piano in. All models for this project were made with SOLIDWORKS xDesign. Check out my article on this project on the official SOLIDWORKS website here! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/67a086ec-1c5e-443a-9f3b-3fcce178d1c8/nasa_rmc-transformed+%281%29.png Projects - Technical Projects - NASA Robotic Mining Competition: Lunabotics “LUNABOTICS is an Artemis Student Challenge designed to educate college students in the NASA Systems Engineering process. The competition allows NASA to gather and evaluate design and operational data for future robotic excavators and builders.” The 2021 challenge is to develop a mining robot capable of navigating the surface of the moon. Additionally, the robot is tasked with collecting gravel from a 15 centimeter deep layer which is located below a 30 centimeter high layer of BP-1 (lunar regolith simulant). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1634520988408-AV8LQCCS6VCC6XTPRNMO/dragon.PNG Projects - Technical Projects - Dragon Crossbow I worked in a team of 4 to design this crossbow with a dragon body. This prototype accepts a wide variety of objects as ammunition, including toothpicks and tightly folded pieces of paper. The mechanism relies on gears on either side of the crossbow that tighten the rubber band as the trigger is pulled back. The ammunition sits in the center slit that runs up and down the entire body. Once pulled back enough, the trigger piece will get held back by a stopper. At this point, the trigger will release all the tension in the rubber band and will shoot the projectile. All parts of this device are 3D printed (except for the rubber band). https://www.nathanctng.com/projects1/community-projects monthly 0.5 2024-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1634608722287-IY8P3AVLZQ38VWQUS6HQ/covid19+challenge.PNG Projects - Community Projects - WPI COVID-19 Innovation Challenge The WPI COVID-19 Innovation Challenge was a 4-day long competition “to build innovative solutions that address the most pressing COVID-19 issues related to WPI's return to campus.” I worked on a team of 4 to brainstorm, model, and create a pitch video for a solution for keeping communal campus spaces clean. At the end of our project, we proposed a semi-autonomous table cleaning mechanism for lab/work spaces. This system starts with a student scanning their ID, which starts the cleaning process. Two spray bottles, connected with a microfiber cloth covered bar, move up and down the length of the table on rails to disinfect the table surface between uses. With this project, my team and I were awarded second place in the competition. Check out our pitch video here! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1634877660003-WEQQ3I05FXNJZVWAI5A7/roomscape+1.jpg Projects - Community Projects - WPI Student Experience Innovation Challenge The WPI Student Experience Innovation Challenge was a 4-day long competition to come up with solutions that improve upon the educational experience of students. I worked on a team of 4 to brainstorm, model, and create a pitch video for a solution to improve study spaces on campus. At the end of our project, we proposed an app that provides students with real-time data on study space availability. The app uses WiFi access points to locate devices, forming a digital heatmap of all connected devices. Using this data, students can view which rooms on campus are occupied, allowing them to find study spaces faster. With this project, my team and I were awarded first place in the competition. Check out our pitch video here! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1634849107718-8078G35RKEYDDM97ZC1C/iqp+report+cover+pic.PNG Projects - Community Projects - Strengthening ACE Outreach and Communication with African Families At WPI, we have what we call the Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP), which gives students the “experience of working in interdisciplinary teams to solve a problem or need that lies at the intersection of science and society.” For my project, I worked in a team of 4 to help a local organization in Worceter, African Community Education (ACE), with improving the way they communicate with African refugee families in the area. At the conclusion of our project, we proposed that ACE should social circles with representatives in each group that could serve as translators to help efficiently spread information. We also suggested that ACE begin a library of online materials (translated videos and recordings) to help support the assimilation into the United States. To help move both of these initiatives forward, we provided a guidebook with step-by-step guides on topics such as script writing, video editing, and translation workflows. For more information, you can view the final report here! Also if you’d like, check out our sponsors here! https://www.nathanctng.com/personal daily 0.75 2024-02-27 https://www.nathanctng.com/personal/blender monthly 0.5 2024-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/655ad2ff-81dc-4347-803c-02f31572ff0c/city+night.png Personal - Blender https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/438b5835-8828-415d-84b0-154fbbd6017d/Metagross+Final_auto_x2.jpg Personal - Blender https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/6d776f97-95ac-42ff-94f3-68b92d468d18/WhatsApp+Image+2021-10-18+at+5.51.41+PM+%281%29.jpeg Personal - Blender https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/b87c79c2-9f99-4627-ac10-97ea6c65979f/WhatsApp+Image+2021-10-18+at+5.51.41+PM+%283%29.jpeg Personal - Blender https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/0cff5d67-3bf0-4855-b217-1798ccb51c79/WhatsApp+Image+2021-10-18+at+5.51.41+PM+%286%29.jpeg Personal - Blender https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/9a9f3b38-0b1b-4a00-bf64-b494a524c825/WhatsApp+Image+2021-10-18+at+5.51.41+PM+%288%29.jpeg Personal - Blender https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/324ad4fb-3f50-4f08-bb12-26c2f851e45d/WhatsApp+Image+2021-10-18+at+5.51.41+PM+%289%29.jpeg Personal - Blender https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/ea49d929-0d27-4678-b0e4-a8c3260ba6ec/BTS.jpeg Personal - Blender https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/2ae3cc89-9891-447f-b93f-afeecaf322cf/WhatsApp+Image+2021-10-18+at+5.51.41+PM+%2810%29.jpeg Personal - Blender https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/79bccb3b-dd3c-436a-9201-160c4d65df94/WhatsApp+Image+2021-10-18+at+5.51.41+PM.jpeg Personal - Blender https://www.nathanctng.com/personal/miscellaneous monthly 0.5 2024-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/e67b6e93-db07-4d0e-a4d0-1f80cab9b872/golf.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/62eb7d56-20fe-414c-bb88-7447d43f8a18/steph.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/4d11ff03-e763-4917-bfdb-29b3adcb01d8/white+bts.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/3de8a932-e3f7-4040-af94-28979325330c/BTS.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/72a2e7a9-7843-49a3-9e9b-573d8626275c/1800.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/a56b11a6-adc2-4cd9-9848-fcc4ae5e9f47/shoe+rack+2.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/ac1bbfd3-a015-46aa-86d9-f96f80ca8dca/shoe+rack+1.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/1c7a1910-2166-43d4-af12-d0c9bfa0487f/One+Away.gif https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/a2b02770-b38d-4ba0-89b5-6af9c2906751/Correct.gif https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/615508d46cd40b2b86b08012/93b3e5a4-4c41-45df-b66a-3c07ff17e62d/Done.gif