Hi there! I'm...

Kaurisan Selvarasa (Hari)

University Of Waterloo Alumni - Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics Option👋

Welcome to my corner of the internet!

I am a University of Waterloo graduate of mechanical engineering with the mechatronics option. My past roles include:

Quality engineer at NMC Dynaplas Ltd., where I improved the QA Inspectors workflow efficiency and accuracy by designing custom fixtures.
Instructor/course developer at The STEAM Project, where I designed and taught unique and captivating DIY STEM/STEAM activity kits to aspiring young scientists and engineers.
Summer academic ambassador for first year engineering students, as well as a teaching assistant for professional development (PD) courses at UWaterloo, where I assisted students with their concerns and provided constructive feedback on their assignments.

I am a problem solver. I love to ideate innovative and out-of-the-box solutions. Being involved in a problem-solving environment, whether it be an escape room or an engineering problem, makes me want to continue learning and solving new challenges. Mechanical engineering and design work is a never-ending passion that I genuinely enjoy engaging in. I enjoy the process of ideation, modelling, and prototyping. Seeing it being used and helping people is such a wonderful feeling! I am into robotics and enjoy learning of new and interesting mechanisms even if they are niche.

When I am not working, I like reading fantasy/action books, catching up on tv shows, or learning new skills.

Featured Projects 💻

Hexapod Robot

Problem:

Goal is to design a multi-terrain vehicular platform that can be adapted for future projects, such as for creating an autonomous mobile robot or mobile nerf turret

Needs to be inherently stable (i.e. minimal need of a control system for balance)

Solution:

Designed a robot with legs, instead of wheels/tracks, for increased versatility across difficult terrain. There are three joints per leg, which is a simplification of an actual spider leg

Designed the robot to have six legs (aka hexapod) so as to take advantage of the tripod gait, which helps ensure natural stability during locomotion and simplifies the control system

Technical Skills:

SolidWorks (parts, assemblies, motion studies), Forward/Inverse Kinematics, MATLAB, Bill of Materials (BoM), Design for Manufacturability, GD&T, Budgeting, Decision Matrices

Fixtures for Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)

Problem:

Goal is to improve the work flow for quality assurance inspectors and increase efficiency and accuracy when setting up parts for measuring in the CMM.

Two main issues:

Standard fixture devices are loosely stored in bins, which reduces work efficiency.
Irregularity of parts means that it is difficult to consistently and reliably fix parts on the CMM.

Solution:

Designed a 3D-printed tray, to organize standard fixture devices. This product eliminates time wasted in finding the right fixture device.

To eliminate time wasted in adapting standard fixture devices for complex parts, custom fixtures for various molded parts were designed through analysis of CAD drawings and collaboration with QA inspectors

Technical Skills:

SolidWorks, Design for Manufacturability, GD&T, 3D Printing

Machine Vision System for Conveyor System

Problem:

Goal is to improve a production line system to only divert individual boxes from the conveyor belt, as opposed to a clumped set of boxes

Solution:

Designed an image processing algorithm to detect and determine whether the boxes on the conveyor belt are too close together. The boxes that are too close together, will be diverted into a holding cell for manual sorting.

Integrated this algorithm into the pre-existing sorting algorithm to preserve functionality

Designed a graphical user interface (GUI) to display the quantity of boxes diverted into the holding cell, as well as whether or not manual intervention is necessary.

Technical Skills:

Image Processing (Python's OpenCV), Ignition 8 Designer, Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT), Node-Red, Prototyping and Implementation

Python Chess Engine

Problem:

Goal is to create a working chess engine/game in Python, to serve as a foundation for a future chess AI/Bot

Solution:

Determined the various different functionalities (drawing pieces/board, piece movement, valid moves calculation, checkmate, etc.) required to create a working chess engine and implemented the corresponding functions

Designed a graphical user interface (GUI) to display the game board and to allow the user to play the game in an intuitive manner

Researched and learnt more about the game to ensure accuracy such as the specifics of various moves such as castling

Technical Skills:

Python, Pygame Library, GitHub, GUI, Data Structures, Testing & Iteration

Hydraulic Lowrider DIY Kit

Problem:

Goal is to create an engaging DIY activity based on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) concepts.

Activity needs to be achievable by elementary students and cost ~$4/student.

Solution:

Designed and prototyped a model kit of a 1964 Chevy Impala lowrider using laser cut cardboard and plywood.

Created and delivered polished and easy to understand instructions to ensure all students were able to complete their model lowrider.

Used syringes and string to create a mechanism so that the car would bounce just like a lowrider.

Technical Skills:

Illustrator, Epilog Mini, CorelDRAW, Price Breakdown, Oral Communication, PowerPoint

Fourth Year Design Project – LiMar

Problem:

Goal is to improve how line markings on sports fields are painted.

Currently, the field maintenance team wastes a lot of time, paint, and labour by re-painting the field weekly even when they field isn't being used. This is to avoid the huge time commitment of painting the field from scratch if the lines are allowed to fade completely.

Solution:

Created a smart modular add-on which would attach to existing sports field line marking carts, allowing field owners to continue using their existing line marking carts.

Used RFID tags embedded within the ground to provide feedback to the operator to ensure accuracy and consistency without the need for measuring or previously painted lines as a guide.

Technical Skills:

SolidWorks, 3D printing, Python (Tkinter, OpenCV)

Tech Art Project – Puzzle of Secrets

Problem:

Goal is to create an interactive art piece that makes use of technology (such as LEDs, motors, etc.) for a tech art exhibition.

The art piece should convey a message to the viewer.

Solution:

Designed a tech art installation called "The Puzzle of Secrets", that aimed to convey the message that everyone has their own secrets and worries, which is hidden behind an outer shell.

Technical Skills:

SolidWorks, Design for Manufacturability, 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, Arduino, Programming

3D Printable Spider Quad Robot Concept

Problem:

Goal is to study the implementation of motion in quadruped robots and find a method to simplify it.

Solution:

Designed a insect themed 4 legged robot using a special four-bar linkage called the "Chebyshev lambda linkage" to facilitate the leg movements.

Technical Skills:

SolidWorks (parts, sub-assemblies, assemblies, motion studies), Tolerances, Design for Manufacturability

Aquadrone – Barrel Roll System Concept

Problem:

Goal is to create a system to facilitate barrel rolls on the secondary mini-sub for the RoboSub competition.

Limit the number of external motors/pumps to minimize the amount of waterproofing required.

Solution:

Designed a unique system that takes advantage of an asymmetrical weight distribution, which can be rotated to create torque and cause the mini-sub to barrel roll.

Technical Skills:

SolidWorks, Design for Manufacturability, Part Sourcing, Mathematical calculations

Art Work

Problem:

Goal is to create something beautiful, and to learn new skills.

Should be something I enjoy and can do during my free time.

Solution:

Created artwork of various form such as pencil drawing, painting, embroidery, and even cake decorating.

Technical Skills:

Attention to Detail, Patience, Creativity

Experience 💼

Steam Instructor & Content Designer @ The Steam Project

(May 2022 – Aug 2022) · Collaborated with other instructors to design and teach STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) related DIY project kits.

Teaching Assistant @ University of Waterloo - Professional Development Program (WatPD)

(Sep 2021 – Dec 2021) · Teaching Assistant for PD9: Ethical Decision Making and PD1: Career Fundamentals. Helped to keep the course running smoothly as well conducted activities such as mock interviews and resume critiques.

Summer Academy Ambassador @ University Of Waterloo - Engineering Waterloo Ready

(May 2020 – Aug 2020) · Worked with professors to develop and transform content to suit online delivery methods. Provided support to upcoming first-year engineering students through the creation of an Engineering 101 website and the use of weekly meetings.

Quality Engineering Coop @ Dynaplas

(Sep 2019 – Dec 2019) · Designed various fixture/jigs according to Quality Control team members' specifications to improve accuracy and efficiency of the measurement of injection molded parts.

(Jan 2019 – April 2019) · Helped to ensure the high quality of manufactured parts, through conducting studies to ensure all parts were within specifications.

CONTACT ME 📨

If you are reading this, thank you for visiting!

Feel free to connect with me through an email. Whether it's work related, a project opportunity, or just to say hello - my inbox is open. Looking forward to chatting soon! 😄