Gator Theme Park Engineering and Design

Theme parks have always played an important role in my life. As I grew, my obsessions with these whimsical worlds also grew, prompting more exploration into the past, present, and future of these parks. Now, it is my turn to give that same experience of amazement to guests from across the world.

Model Roller Coaster Design Project (2018 - Present)

Starting in 2018 Gator TPED's design project is the design and fabrication of model roller coaster track and trains. The goal is to make a functional model to be displayed in the University of Florida's Marston Science Library. Progress on this project can be seen below.

During the 2019-2020 school year, I was chosen as the mechanical design team captain and designed mechanical components while helping other mechanical team members with their designs and off the shelf (OTS) product selections. Components I designed included: the wheel assembly (bogie modification for increased rigidity, selection of bearings for wheels, and mounting hardware (use of low-profile nuts)), selection of universal joint to couple coaches together, and selection and sizing of chain lift mechanism (35 gauge chain selected based off size requirements and expected loading from train).

For the fall semester of the 2020-2021 school year I tried a more hands-off approach to allow mechanical subgroup members more freedom in their designs. Feedback to this style of management was very positive and team members said they felt able to obtain more experience through the hands on use of SolidWorks and selection of OTS components for their tasks. Rather than guiding all team members through their tasks I was available to offer feedback and suggestions while making fewer decisions on behalf of the groups. This, in addition to a division of the mechanical group into further subgroups (lift, brake and station drives, and train) gave smaller groups of team members more direct ownership of their specific subgroup tasks. Mechanical team members were more involved than previous semesters (which was especially surprising during this virtual semester) and successfully completed all required tasks to complete mechanical design of the coaster by our November 16th deadline. Overall, this fall semester was a great opportunity to experiment with a new leadership style that kept team members more engaged and increased overall productivity of the subgroup.

For the fall 2020 semester I also created various documents to help students download and learn to use the SolidWorks software and Microsoft OneDrive for file storage in the cloud. Some of these documents, including a SolidWorks Installation Tips, SolidWorks Tutorial, and OneDrive Setup Instructions can be viewed by clicking on the hyperlinks.

Ride Vehicle Design Project (2017-2018)

During the 2017-2018 school year, I worked in a group dedicated to redefining the capabilities of an amusement ride. Intertwining multiple existing technologies with cutting edge designs, we worked to combine the immersion of a dark ride experience, while still offering the thrill of a high speed, fast-paced roller coaster experience. I worked to design and calculate forces applied on the LSM launch plate under the coaster car in addition to calculating coefficients of friction and clamping forces for mechanical brake systems on the ride simulator base. A rendered image of our concept ride vehicle can be seen below, as well as sketches of the ride vehicle locking and launching mechanisms I helped to design.

Themed Entertainment Association IAAPA Volunteer (2017 - 2019)

I have been fortunate to attended the IAAPA conference in Orlando for three years as a volunteer at the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) booth. I helped to set up and take down the booth, as well as assist with distribution of print materials and organization during events occurring in the booth and during outreach events for TEA member organizations. I also assisted in setup and teardown of the TEA IAAPA mixer at the Universal Citywalk Hard Rock Cafe. There is always plenty to do for volunteers during IAAPA show week!

ASTM F24 Conferences (2018 - Present)

I have previously attended four ASTM F24 meetings for amusement rides and devices to better understand the importance of safety in the themed entertainment industry and the role engineers play in ensuring guest safety on amusement rides and devices. At the October 2019 meeting, I was given the amazing opportunity to work with an F24.70 subgroup to revise standard F2376 on waterslide design, manufacture, installation and commissioning, and operation. See the ASTM F2376 Waterslide Standard Revisions tab for more details on my involvement with the ASTM F24 organization.

Entech Innovative Engineering Facility Tour

In February 2018, Gator TPED was given the opportunity to visit the Entech Innovative Engineering facility. This was a great view into the design and fabrication stages of product design for a wide variety of custom products for themed entertainment projects. After working as an engineering intern at Entech Innovative Engineering during the summer of 2019 I helped to setup another tour for spring 2020 to allow more TPED members the opportunity to "peek behind the curtain" and see what goes into the design and fabrication of complex props and items from various themed entertainment projects.

ThemeWorks Facility Tour

In 2017 and 2020 I was offered a unique glimpse inside the design and fabrication of highly immersive themed lands. This experience taught me about the creation of sights and textures used in immersive environments.

Gator TPED Skype Call with Mk Haley

This event allowed me to learn about the creation of highly immersive worlds. From design to research and development to engineering design, I learned about the daily tasks that allow the Disney company to create such immersive and inviting parks and resorts.

UF Career Showcase Queue Team

Volunteered to set up stanchion and tape queues for employer tables at the University of Florida's fall 2019 career showcase. During the event, we adjusted queue lengths and locations based on demand and crowds at and around the various tables on the showcase floor.

Various TEA Events

As a TEA NextGEN member in the central Florida area, I have had the opportunity to volunteer for and attend many events held by the Themed Entertainment Association. These include events from mixers and celebrations for new additions to local themed entertainment venues to the annual SATE and IAAPA conferences.