Automated Feed Bin Gate Design

Reflection

    As the capstone course in Biosystems Engineering, the senior design project has provided an element of our educational experience I have not experienced before.  When people ask me about Biosystems Engineering, in the past I have typically responded with the typical “Well, we can be environmental, agricultural, and forestry engineers,” because that is what is preached throughout the curriculum.  However, due to this course as well as garnering knowledge from recent graduates I have spoken to at both the career fair and ASABE meetings, a degree in Biosystems Engineering enables all graduates to work in a variety of fields.  Both the challenges presented in this course, and my personal aspiration to continue a lifestyle of self-learning outside of class have shaped me into an engineer prepared to go into any field.  Specifically to this project, the design process has introduced elements of electrical, mechanical, and agricultural engineering that all have been used at an in depth level. 

Personal interest

     I grew up on the outskirts of a small town called Montevallo, Alabama; and was raised alongside a brother and sister by parents who both taught in the local school system. My parents developed me into the man I am today, and were always encouraging me in my walk with Christ.  Throughout my 5 year employment on Smith Farms, I garnered my personal drive and work ethic.  I was given the opportunity to co-own a profitable, produce business that my partner and I ran for two years during my pursuit of a B.S. in Biosystems Engineering at Auburn University.  In the course of my time with Smith Farms, and also throughout my experience working in the department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences at Auburn; I developed a passion for Agriculture.  Recently, I have taken interest into GPS/GIS systems and would like to pursue that interest through working with Precision Agriculture.  This project has enlightened me to the fact that precision control systems used in any type of agriculture, including poultry, are extremely more complex than I originally anticipated.

The next step

            After I graduate with my Bachelor’s degree in Biosystems engineering, I plan to pursue a M.S. degree in Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering.  This project has drastically refurbished my concept of project development as a practicing Agricultural Engineer, and will fully prepare me for the challenges of a Master’s degree.  Previously, my skills of problem solving and ability to cram slide notes have helped me in the lower level classes; however, this is the first time the whole process has been able to be put together.  Coming into the course I was unaware of the shear complexity of the process; the ability to manipulate AutoCAD Inventor, SketchUp, and my personal presentation skills were foreign concepts to me.  Having a producer's view point with an engineer's mindset can be a vital tool in the agriculture industry.  This mindset has remained with me since my time at Smith Farms, and I believe has been able to allow me to see this project from a farmer’s viewpoint.  This opportunity shaped my understanding of how new products are engineered.  Looking long term, it is my ultimate goal to become the owner of my own company that specializes in Precision Ag research and development, and it is clear the impacts of this project will shape the crucial years to come.