Ride Engineering Competition 2024
Our REC 2024 team was hard at work creating "Chaos on Candy Mountain"! The 2024 design implemented a unique twist with a ride vehicle turning mechanism controlling riders' views throughout the track layout and won us 4th place!
Overview
For REC 2024, our team was tasked with building a scale roller coaster that was designed and manufactured up to ASTM and industry standards. “Chaos on Candy Mountain” features a unique riding experience with a controlled ride vehicle turning mechanism to control the sights and sounds guests would encounter throughout the themed ride.
Background
Project Scope:
14 weeks, January to April 2024
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Key Tools and Software:
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Welding
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Soldering​
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Solidworks
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Arduino
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ASTM F24 Standard Adherence
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Risk Assessment/FMEA
Project Description
With over 30 team members, the REC 2024 team spanned across a diverse subset of disciplines and backgrounds! Leading the 2024 team as the project lead was 3rd-year English major and Theatre minor, Tyler Suzuki. When asked about the competition, he said, "[He's] so excited to be working with such an incredibly talented and ambitious team of engineers and designers. Last year, we blew away the judges with our entirely steel-welded coaster, so this year we want to step it up a notch and push ourselves even further with a brand new twist on the original!"
Working to help lead the subteams were Christine Choi and Scott Frizzell leading the Controls subteam, Lilyane Stessman leading the Mechanical subteam, and Jacob DeBoard leading the Standards subteam, all working together collaboratively to deliver our entry named "Chaos on Candy Mountain".
Since January 2024, our team were working on different ideas and techniques to realize and manufacture our final ride system design. Lilyane led the Mechanical subteam in designing and manufacturing the track layout, track ties, and the ride vehicle design. The Mechanical subteam members were hard at work in the machine shops manufacturing and prototyping bends and welding the track together. Christine and Scott led the Controls subteam in implementing the turning mechanism, emergency braking system, and a wireless communication system. The Controls subteam experimented with different sensors, actuators, and implemented a Hall Effect sensor function.
Throughout the project timeline, Standards subteam members were involved in various synergy groups and got to collaborate with other subteams on project decisions. Jacob led the Standards subteam through the completion of various safety and standard adherence documents and ensured the ride system design was in compliance with ASTM standards. To wrap things up, Michelle led the Theming subteam through the ideation process of crafting and designing the story and set elements for the ride. Members were involved with creating a cohesive storyline to fit the flow of the track layout and building various design elements into the ride design.
Meet the Team
Project Lead:
Tyler Suzuki
Mechanical:
Lilyane Stessman, Lead
Joanna Bendy
Maxwell Cuellar
Christian Cuamani
Fredy Herrarte
Molly Koretz
Erin Maxwell
Ged Mulingtapang
Maddy Reedy
Jake Schuman
Veronica Weber
Controls:
Christine Choi, Lead
Scott Frizzell, Lead
Raegan Fordemwalt
Finch Fu
Giselle Hinahon
Madison Roth
Ethan Tekawa-Pon
Standards Adherence and Risk Assessment:
Jacob DeBoard, Lead
Emma Briceño
Annika Bullock
Jacob Cacho
Shelley Eizips
D'Anna Jennings
Malia Merager
James Wifall
Theming/Special Effects:
Michelle Griffith, Lead
Valerie Bolon
Guy Kalach
Rebekah Lee
Dalia Muqaddam
Julia McMorrow
Lorelei Samuel