Travis Welch
Education
University of California, Berkeley
Master of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Graduation Date: May 2023
California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Graduation Date: March 2022
Cañada College, Redwood City
Associate of Science, Engineering, Graduation Date: September 2019
Academic Experience
Mechanical Engineering
UCB: September 2022 - May 2023
Master's Capstone Project: Passive Exoskeleton Design
Mechanical Design Engineer
Collaborated with UC Berkeley professors, graduate students, and SuitX on exoskeleton design and development. Used human centered design techniques to develop 2 low-cost passive exoskeleton devices for industrial workers. Used a variety of cutting edge advanced additive manufacturing processes to quickly iterate designs and test passive concepts.
UCB: January 2023 - May 2023
Prosthetic Finger Design
At UC Berkeley, taking a graduate class focused on human dexterity manipulation, interviews and evaluations were conducted with an individual who experienced finger loss due to an accident. This process identified pain points and potential product needs. By applying human-centered design techniques and iterative processes, a passive finger and distal thumb prosthetic were developed using composite 3D printing. This hands-on experience enriched technical skills and deepened the understanding of empathetic design, emphasizing the role of engineering in addressing real-world challenges and enhancing the lives of those with specific needs in the prosthetics field.
Cal Poly: March 2021 - April 2022
Senior Project: Fluid Powered Vehicle Challenge
Team Leader
This design challenge focuses on iterating on and designing a fluid powered vehicle that will perform well in the national Fluid Power Vehicle Competition. This competition challenges teams of engineering students to design a vehicle whose motion is driven using hydraulic fluid. Cal Poly has had senior design teams competing in this challenge since 2015 and has a respectable track record for producing a innovative high performance design. Students have the course of one academic school year to design, build, and test their competition vehicles before finally coming together to compete head-to-head in a variety of challenges.
Cal Poly: February 2021 - March 2021
Residential Woodchipper
The team was tasked with designing a residential sized woodchipper that can be used off grid and able to cut Oak/Pine wood that is 2-4 inches in diameter. The basic elements that needed to be picked and designed for this task was the flywheel and blades, pulleys and belt, bearings, clutch, and the motor. Through extensive research, the commonly found life capabilities for this type of woodchipper runs between 2000-5000 hours, we choose to design our system based on 3000 hours.
Cal Poly: October 2020 - December 2020
Carabiner Design Challenge
A design challenge to make the strongest 3D printed Carabiner among 7 student groups. With the given rope loads, we found our carabiner to experience the greatest stress along the straight section of the profile, so we decided to fill that section with smart infill. As for testing, our part had an axial force of failure of 783.65 Newtons and a maximum deflection of 29.183 millimeters at this failure point.
Stanford: June 2019- August 2019
Power Optimization of Electro Thermal Systems REU
Collaborated with Stanford’s Nano-Heat Group in researching and analyzing micro-channel heat exchanger to improve current methods of dissipating heat from small electronics. Assessed and delivered presentation on Tesla Patents involving new innovations for the superchargers and battery pack thermal regulation. Presented research experience at POETS National Conference at University of Illinois in October 2019.
SFSU: June 2018 - August 2018
Annealing Additive Manufactured Thermoplastics
PLA 3D printed parts tend to be weak due to little air gaps in between the layers of plastic. The goal of this project is to bake samples at a variety of temperatures and durations, to find the best configuration for annealing PLA 3D printed parts. Therefore solidifying the air gaps to reducing the internal stresses and increase the yield strength when tensile tested. Annealing a 3D printed PLA Parts can help improve mechanical properties including Elastic modulus, Yield Strength, and Ultimate Strength.
Cal Poly: November 2019
Small Car Design Challenge
Design challenge to make a small car that has the ability to be accurate in terms of moving different distances. Walked through the design process of research, ideation, concept selection, manufacturing, and testing. Coming up with the innovative use of a tape measure as the power train, allowed the team to have the most accurate car of the class.
To learn more about my education and skills, contact me today.
Mechatronics Experience
Published Website with Documentation of Python Code
Mechatronics at Cal Poly follows the learn by doing model. In this course each some of the hardware used is DC electric motors, encoders, resitance board, and an IMU (Magnetometer , Gyroscope, and accelerometer sensors) . Mechatronics encompasses mechanical, electronic, controls, and programing in one area of study. The class uses Python for a coding interface, and all the labs are building towards the final term project of balancing a ball on a moving platform autonomously.
Past Experience
Past Roles
May 2022 - July 2022
Tesla
GA S/X Equipment Engineering Intern
Designed and integrated new solutions to frequent problems related to trim mutilation, down time, loose objects, safety, and more for the Model S and Model X general assembly line after paint. Used Form Labs resin printing for design iteration on a variety of projects to develop new fixtures. Designed and worked with an outside manufacturer to fabricate a pneumatic actuating datum pin fixture for a robot assembly cell in body assembly for Model X. This project was initiated to solve down time problems occurring down stream in the general assembly for Model X.
June 2021 - September 2021
KNT Manufacturing
Manufacturing Engineer Intern
Collaborated with a team of Manufacturing Engineers to design over 20 complex semiconductor parts and chambers in Solidworks for the research and development of Lam Research products. Fabricated over 10 fixture assemblies to improve manufacturing efficacy of welding assemblies, creating lay patterns and for holding parts in correct orientation for CNC Machining. Documented and analyzed 3 operation method protocols for high visibility chambers to inform decision making process for production planners, machinists, quality control, and to report back to customer.
January 2023 - June 2025
Business, Engineering, and Partner Solutions Extern
Through Paragon One, I evaluated key trends of first movers in innovation with respect to social media influencer marketing campaigns to help Facebook find new partners. Enhanced Facebook collaboration with 20 startups specializing in 3rd party measurement space to improve current data measurement methods. Delivered analyses and forecast projections to the Facebook’s Vice President of Marketing and Partner Solutions Team.
January 2018 - June 2019
Cañada College
EPIC Leader & STEM Tutor
Assisted approx. 15 students per week to build understanding and prepare for exams in STEM courses. Developed supplemental instruction plans and hosted 3-hour weekly study sessions outside of class to review problem solving strategies for a 6 unit fast track to Calculus Class. Assisted students in learning Engineering Statics, Calculus I-III, Trigonometry, and Physics classes.
December 2016 - August 2019
DWS Inc.
Aluminum & Wood Shop Technician
Worked in company production, using direct communication with administration and sales, building custom made industrial aluminum frames and wood doors for contractors throughout the bay area. Daily tasks include optimizing production, quality control, managing new hires, and taking inventory of shop materials.
June 2016 - May 2017
My Delights
Assistant Store Manager
Started off with this restaurant as a dish washer, and eventually learned how to make over 20 authentic Chinese dishes. Gaining the respect of the owner, I was promoted to a cook position which eventually lead to a assistant manager position of the store. I learned how to be responsible with all the store up keep and understand the overhead of the business. Gained valuable skills on how to interview and train new employees.
June 2015 - August 2015
Johnson & Johnson: Cordis
Process Engineer Intern
Shadowed a Process engineer in the research and development department following Biotech products. I conducted strength testing on a balloon catheter prototype, assisted in writing a engineering protocol, and presented to other parts of the company about a new stent Cordis was developing for aneurysms in the aorta.
August 2014 - September 2016
McDonald's
Cook
Trained and worked as a cook after high school hours. Worked night shift from 6 pm to midnight to pay for a car. Learned how to work with a diverse group of people that had hard life challenges and how to help them through it. Learned about being responsible, showing up on time, and work hard.
“Your relationships will either make you or break you and there is no such thing as a neutral relationship. People either inspire you to greatness or pull you down in the gutter, it’s that simple. No one fails alone, and no one succeeds alone.”
― Eric Thomas
Contact
Thank you for reviewing my Portfolio. Please get in touch to find out more.
5102992596