Lukas W. DiBeneditto is featured on Purdue University Social Media for graduating from Purdue University.
2020-05-15
Lukas was featured on the Purdue Polytechnic New Albany social media Facebook page. Lukas W. DiBeneditto, graduated from Purdue University, Purdue Polytechnic New Albany in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology (Applied Mechanical Engineering).
He was an Undergraduate Research Assistant, Laboratory Assistant, SME Secretary, and Student Ambassador. Lukas has also been featured on Purdue University Social Media multiple times.
His Capstone Projects included a Purdue Rocketcam Air Cannon Pneumatic Mortar, Pneumatic PusherBot, and The Little Bubble Maker a Low-Cost Microfluidic Device. He is also the Creator of Piano Roll Arduino programming Purdue University Teaching Aid.
Purdue University Research Project MET 31400 Application of Machine Elements Final Project Precious Plastic Extruder.
2020-05-05
For the final project in MET 31400 Application of Machine Elements, I designed the entire recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic melt and extruder machine by myself.
The research project required fluid-dynamic, thermodynamic, and force calculations. Critical part elements were selected for force calculations. Optimal material was then selected to meet the force requirements. Parts were then designed to fulfill the Engineering objectives. Then I designed an aluminum mold to make a plastic part.
The project requirements were amended due to the Pandemic. The build was canceled by the Professor, since the Advanced Manufacturing Lab was closed and all in-person classes were moved online.
This document includes the complete system CAD models, built in SOLIDWORKS, with moving functional parts, and hand written Calculations.
Mostly Handwritten Report and Calculations. [78 page(s)]. See the PDF here.
Purdue University Research Project MET 39200 Laboratory Assistant Final Project Reverse Engineering FDM 3D Printer Filament Cartridge.
2020-04-13
As a Lab Assistant, I was responsible for making commercial-grade, non-refillable 3D printer cartridges refillable for custom mixed plastic filament. This research project required Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Programming, and Linux experience. The high-end (~$40,000 in 2013), commercial-grade, Ѕtrаtаѕуѕ Dіmеnѕіоn ЅST 768 Fused Deposition Modeling 3D Printer recorded the unique serial from an encrypted EEPROM microcontroller from each inserted plastic filament cartridge and kept track of how much plastic it has used. The printer used this to prevent the cartridges from being refilled. I was able to break the encryption on the EEPROM microcontroller, demonstrate it worked consistently, and documented the process. The original $200 cost was now $28 for each cartridge, creating considerable cost savings for the University and the added benefit of making a cost-prohibited piece of equipment usable by students for their research.
Reverse Engineering Steps and Report. [25 page(s)]. See the PDF here.
Purdue University Research Project MET 43600 Pneumatic Motion Control Microfluidics Closing Document with Research Notes.
2020-03-15
My most recent Interdisciplinary Material Science Biomaterials/Biomedical research project was a low-cost microfluidic bubble generator using machine cut vinyl channels sandwiched between acrylic glass. Requirements prevented using PDMS, adhesives, or solvents. The use for microfluidic bubbles includes contrast ultrasound and molecular imaging and targeted drug and gene delivery. Being able to create microfluidic devices rapidly and at low-cost has the potential to improve medical diagnostic capabilities. The pandemic halted this research project. Nevertheless, in only two weeks, all while taking five other senior-level courses. I compiled 223 pages of research notes, tested three of five designs, selected two, wrote a six-page report, and created a full CAD assembly.
Purdue University Research Project MET 43600 Pneumatic Motion Control Pusherbot
2020-02-27
This document details the Risk Analysis Summary (Before/After) for Project 2 for MET 436 Pneumatic Motion Control Systems. Our customer The Really Cool Engineering Co. tasked us with the design, build, test, and iteration of a pneumatically actuated robot to push a 1 kg (~2.2 lb) weight 18 inches in 10 seconds, with the main limitation that the robot footprint as seen from above must be no larger than 16 in^2, and designed specifically to be mass-produced utilizing a laser manufacturing process. Only our team met and exceeded all objectives almost 2 weeks early.
All other teams failed to meet the objectives. Only our Pusherbot, with a footprint of 13.77 ± .5 in^2, pushed a 2 kg weight 18+ inches in 8.5 ± .25 seconds, and 3 kg weight 18 inches in about 10 ± .25 seconds.
Lukas W. DiBeneditto releases Report, Presentation, and Video of the Purdue Rocketcam Pneumatic Air Cannon CAPSTONE.
2019-12-11
Team Members: Lukas W. DiBeneditto, Joseph R. Schoettmer
Lukas was the Team Lead. Even though Purdue Rocketcam Pneumatic Cannon had seven iterations. We still completed the project with half the time that other CAPSTONE groups had. This project was one of several senior-level research projects focusing on project management.
The faculty had made a previous pneumatic cannon, and they asked us to make a better version. Our air cannon was portable, had a smaller footprint, launched higher, and was rapid-fire.
It launched a 3D printed rocket with a GoPro camera for visiting high school students on Purdue Engineer Day. Recently, Purdue University selected this project for use in their public, commercial advertising.
The design of experiments included the design and build of a pressure test firing system. A pressure transducer was selected and wired to the microcontroller then custom C++ code was written and validated. We recorded the data with millisecond precision and completed the statistical analysis to find the fastest trigger mechanism. My team succeeded where others did not because of my broad interdisciplinary research and leadership experience, allowing me to innovate, adapt, and iterate faster.
Lukas W. DiBeneditto is featured on Purdue University Social Media for presenting a recreation of the Simon game Penny Arcade at the 2019 Boilermaker Showcase.
2019-04-26
Lukas presented at Purdue University, Purdue Polytechnic New Albany. The Penny Arcade was the final project for Purdue University MET 28400 Introduction to Industrial Controls.
The following are my overall contributions to the project: Team Leader, overall design, research, logistics, material selection, material procurement, cloud drive setup and management, team document information, team communication, objectives and restrictions specification clarification, prototype design and build, Autocad CAD, laser cutout optimization, laser operation, PLC Programming, Ladder Logic, photography, video recording, PowerPoint, testing, presenting. Researched, discovered, and adapted a pseudo-random number generator for PLC ladder logic.
PLC Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG): Generates a random number between 1 and 4, uses the timer and 32-bit memory overflow of PLC to generate time bit chaos.
Where: TD1 = 1000 ms. 32-bit digital timer that resets every 1 second.
Lukas W. DiBeneditto is featured on Purdue University Social Media for the Student Media Spotlight (Student Highlight).
2018-11-07
"A very interesting student highlight today with Lukas DiBeneditto! Lukas tells us why he chose Purdue Polytechnic, why he enjoys the classes, and how he plans to help society with his degree. Please take time to listen to this insightful and uplifting interview. Thank you, Lukas!" - Professor Andrew McCart, PhD
Lukas W. DiBeneditto is photographed working with a Laser at Purdue University.
2018-10-25
This photograph was taken during one of the Open House Tours, at Purdue University, Purdue Polytechnic New Albany. In the Advanced Manufacturing Boilermaker Lab.
Lukas W. DiBeneditto is photographed with a Purdue University tour group visiting Samtec Inc. in New Albany, IN.
2018-10-04
"Samtec Inc. operates as a computer equipment manufacturing company. The Company provides broad line of electronic interconnects including high speed, micro, edge card, rugged power, cable to board products, strips, arrays, circuits, micro backplanes and data rate cable assemblies." - Bloomberg
Lukas is in the center of the photograph with a light blue shirt. The group tour was with Andrew McCart, Ph.D., (yellow shirt) and his OLS 38800 Leadership through Teams class. The class explores Organizational Management including the "group process, team development and exploration of dynamics that impact group and team performance." - Purdue University
Lukas W. DiBeneditto is featured on Purdue University Social Media for his Commissioned Public Art Installation Captured Light.
2018-09-05
Lukas and his spouse Jennie DiBeneditto created this Public Art Installation titled Captured Light by Jennie and Lukas DiBeneditto at Steam Boat Nights in Jeffersonville, IN.
Lukas W. DiBeneditto is featured on Purdue University Social Media for his Commissioned Public Art Power Box Zazzafrazz.
2017-06-05
I was 1 of 13 artists selected to paint a power box by the Jeffersonville Public Art Commission, "Zazzafrazz ", at E 8th St and Crestview Ct. pic.twitter.com/yEoFyFgL9e
Lukas W. DiBeneditto and his first robot at Purdue University a Lego Mindstorms Robot.
2016-09-14
The last photograph of Joseph DiBeneditto, the father of Lukas W. DiBeneditto.
2016-08-12
For almost 15 years, my family took care of my sick father. He wore a prosthetic leg due to an amputation, which he would take off, sleep, then sometimes forget to put it back on before he stood up. Occasionally, he would fall and hit his head and lay there bleeding for hours. I know other people experience similar suffering as well. In 2016, during my senior year at Indiana University, studying Informatics, my father died. His death crystallized my purpose of helping people.
Motivated by my newfound purpose, I restarted my undergraduate education by transferring to Purdue University to study applied Mechanical Engineering. My rigorous undergraduate coursework focused on mathematics and sciences that all Engineering students experience. My undergraduate studies also included laboratory work experience in Chemistry, Biology, and Human Anatomy courses. Long-term, my goal is to improve Regenerative Medicine to the point where we no longer need prosthetic devices. There are at least five different animal species that can regrow amputated limbs. I want to help us figure out how we can too. My purpose and main-objective in pursuing graduate study are to work towards this goal. It will require many people working as a team, lots of hard work, and I believe earning a Ph.D. will help me accomplish this goal.
This is the last photo of my father alive. I miss him. Love you Dad.
