Mechanical · Controls · Fabrication

Anthony Bearden

Mechanical & Controls Engineer

I design equipment and automate manufacturing processes. Following are a few of the projects I can show off.

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Pressure-volume and temperature-entropy plots from the MATLAB Brayton cycle simulation Sensitivity plot of Brayton cycle efficiency versus pressure ratio

Project 01 · Analysis

Brayton Cycle, Simulated End-to-End

A full thermodynamic model of the Brayton (gas turbine) cycle built from first principles in MATLAB. Verified against hand calculations and tabulated values.

  • MATLAB
  • Thermodynamics
  • First-Principles Modeling
ANSYS Mechanical von Mises stress result showing a fillet radius stress concentration

Project 03 · Analysis

FEA That Holds Up to Scrutiny

Not all FEA software is created equal. Even though they all generate colorful models only some can be relied on to accurately model reality. In this project I create simple shapes and compare the simulated stress and strain against hand calculations to validate the predictive capability of the software.

  • ANSYS Mechanical
  • FEA
Custom-built cookie cutter sheet metal forming machine showing the tool and work area

Project 04 · Builds & Automation

Manual Forming Machine Demo

Designed and built mechanical guarding, table and interlock system for a manufacturing demonstration machine. By using top-down CAD modeling I was able to integrate the guarding, interlocks and actuation mechanism into the table saving space while keeping the machine free to move around without worrying about finding an electrical or pneumatic supply.

  • Mechanism Design
  • SolidWorks
  • One-Off Fabrication
Fully assembled sample analysis fixture with the part held in its locating feature

Project 05 · Builds & Automation

Custom Lab Fixture

A test fixture that holds the PCB substrate, masks the parts that shouldn't be coated and contains a liquid biological sample while it precipitates onto the substrate. Made from materials compatible with the chemicals used in the lab such as acetal, polypropylene and 316 stainless steel.

  • Fixture Design
  • CNC Machining
  • Fusion 360

Project 06 · Builds & Automation

Robotic CNC Part Transfer

What is your cobot doing while your machine is running its cycle? What if you could mount it on an AGV and have it tend multiple machines and transfer parts from the shop to packaging while the machines are running? In this project I programmed the AGV and cobot to transfer parts from one station to another. Later I built mechanical docking stations, wireless control for CNC doors and added a camera system to add autonomous multi-machine tending capability.

  • Machine Tending
  • AGV + Cobot
  • Wireless I/O
Wireless control hardware mounted near the door of a CNC machine

Project 07 · Builds & Automation

Wireless Control

A wireless control system for actuating CNC machine doors enabling the AGV and cobot system in the previous project to wirelessly actuate CNC doors to preform machine tending duties.

  • Wireless I/O
  • Modbus over TCP/IP
Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) machine mid-ramp at 1800 degrees Celsius

Project 08 · Builds & Automation

Spark Plasma Sintering at 1800 °C

Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) is a type of sintering that adds pressure to the equation enabling samples to reach >90% density without completely melting the component materials. This particular sample is a high temp run sintering TiC.

  • Materials Science
  • Spark Plasma Sintering