Engineering Capstone Projects
Where student innovation meets real-world industry needs
Each year, senior students from across the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵapp College of Engineering spend two semesters designing, building, and testing solutions to open-ended challenges posed by our industry sponsors. Topics span automotive, aerospace, military, medical, and outdoor gear, to name a few. Explore past projects below to see the depth of innovation our students bring to their work.
SPONSOR A FUTURE ENGINEERING CAPSTONE PROJECT
Join us in person for the 2026 Engineering Capstone Symposium on Friday, April 24, at 1 p.m. in the Ramsey Center at Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵapp.
WCU Engineering Capstone Projects
2024-25 Capstone Projects
- Aegis Power Systems | Aegis VPX Test Rack
- CAPER | Transmission Outage Scheduling Optimization
- Cummins | Keyence 3D Vision Bin Picking with ABB Robot
- Destination Space | CubeSat Launch Initiative
- Duke Energy | Portable Educational Model for an Energy Management System
- Eaton | Fan-Out Circuit Board Design for Reduced Voltage Soft Starter
- Freudenberg | Automatic Roll Wrapping Machine
- GE Aerospace | GE9X Inner & Outer Combustor Liner Scrub Station
- Harris Integrated Solutions | HVAC Controls Gamification
- Haywood County Emergency Services | Cost-Effective Drone Detection for Rural Emergency Service Agencies
- Kearfott Motion Systems | Flight Controls Simulator
- NC OSHERC | Dust Sensor Reverse Engineering/Improvement
- RMS Energy | Current Capacity Calculator for IPB System
- Cultivated Cocktails | Automation Upgrade to Master Control Center
- Haakon Industries | Factory Noise Reduction
- Hans Cycles | Bicycle Rear Hub Wheel Transmission and Testing Dynamometer
- Integral Electrics | Maven Cargo E-bike Near-Shoring Industrialization
- Kubota | Castle Nut Alignment Socket
- Dr. Phil Stack | Beehive Assessment Device
- Pre-War Guitars | Acoustic Guitar Side Bending Machine
- Siemens Energy | Reusable Crates for STATCOM Converter Modules
- Smith Systems | Design and Implementation of Epoxy Dispenser
- Smokin’ Joes | Rope Climbing Machine
- SonicAire | SonicAire Autosweep
- NAVAIR | Aircraft Cooling Impeller Redesign
- NAVAIR | H-1 Main Rotor Blade Rollover Dolly
- Raised, Heated Floor for Temporary Shelters and Camping
2023-24 Capstone Projects
- Aegis Power Systems | Ethernet SCPI Interface for PIC32 Microcontroller
- Corning Optics | Process Automation for Very Small Form Factor Fiber Optic Connectors
- Destination Space | Development of a Small Satellite Experiment for Deep Space
- Farnam Custom Products | Electro-Thermal Test System for Heater Control Panels
- Cummins-Meritor | Phased Array Ultrasonic Inspection of Welded Joints
- Mountaintop Endowment | Shallow Water Intelligent River Vehicle (SWIRV)
- Computational Modelling of Chemical Reagents with Potential Applications in Nuclear Waste Treatments
- Smith Systems | Automated Soldering for Sensor Assemblies
- USN FRC EAST | Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Test Load
- Accurate Technology | Automated ProStop
- AlonTree | Redesign of a Neurological Recovery Device including Electronic Feedback for Gamification
- Ashworth | Conveyor Belt Tension Monitor and Data Logger
- Cane Creek Cycling Components | Semi-Automated Shock Gas Fill
- Cultivated Cocktails | Interactive Arcade Game Redesign and Fabrication
- GE Aerospace | MÄGERLE MFP30 Dressing Roll Hoist
- Hans Cycles | Tadpole Cargo Trike
- Kubota | Assembly Cart Automation Project
- Practical Scientific Solutions | Ruggedized, Modular, Elephant-Proof Fencing for Preserves, Parks, and GameLand
- Snap-On | Automated Assembly of Grease Fitting into Ratchet Selector Knob
- NAVAIR Fleet Readiness Center East | Dummy Input Quill
- WCU | Robotic Assembly Testbench
Sponsor a Capstone Project
Capstone projects allow students to integrate engineering training with project management skills. Interdisciplinary student teams drawn from all of our programs to tackle open-ended, real-world problems for our industry partners. As an industry partner, you are invited to evaluate your development needs and nominate topics that would provide value to you and a learning experience for our students.
To learn more, read the Call for Capstone Projects, see past student projects, and explore services offered by The Rapid Center.
To discuss sponsoring a potential project for the upcoming year, please contact Dr. Andy Ritenour at aritenour@wcu.edu or 828.227.2177.
Ideally, a capstone project should have the following characteristics:
• Open-ended requiring evaluation of multiple solutions
• Complex and challenging requiring innovative problem-solving approaches
• Sufficient scope for team of 3-5 students (we can help with this).
We invite you, as an industry partner, to evaluate your development needs and nominate
topics that would provide value to you and a learning experience for our students.
To be a capstone project sponsor, we request the following:
• Team sponsorship fee, plus reimbursement for materials and travel needed for your
project
• Willingness to provide a project mentor from your company
• Participation in periodic design reviews as the customer (at your site or WCU).
When we collaborate on your project, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are helping our students gain valuable experience by tackling real problems in an actual setting. You also will have an opportunity to evaluate soon-to-graduate seniors as potential employees while they are working. Finally, when the project is complete, you will have a fully tested prototype, proof of concept, project solution or new knowledge that, if you wish, you can use or develop further.
May: Initial call for projects
July: Finalize project catalog
Sept: Project kick-off
Dec: Mid-project review
April: Project completion & Annual Symposium
If the idea of sponsoring a capstone project interests you, please contact Andy Ritenour at aritenour@wcu.edu or 828-227-2177. We will be happy to walk you through the simple process. We normally solidify topics during June and July, and request that final project descriptions be submitted by July 15.
Quick outline for topic proposals:
• Company name and point of contact
• Title of project
• Problem statement (one paragraph describing the problem and what is needed)
• List of known requirements or constraints (size, weight, power, cost, performance
specifications, operating conditions, etc.)
• Milestones and deliverables
Do you have a more complex project with a specific deadline and budget?
Our Rapid Center team of engineers also works directly with partners. Visit The Rapid Center online and contact us at rapidcenter@wcu.edu or 828.227.2560 to learn more.