Michael Egan
(607) 351-3993
mikeegan3@gmail.com
www.michael-egan.com
I am Michael Egan, a Mechanical Engineer and Designer. After graduating with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, I have spent 3 years in the playground design industry. I can provide mechanical analysis as well as creative design.
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Research and Design Specialist / CAD Analyst, May 2007-Present
Leathers & Associates, Ithaca, NYResponsibilities
• Design innovative community-built playground components optimizing safety, cost, aesthetics, and play value
• Coordinate with suppliers to assess the feasibility, cost, and efficiency of any potential components
• Draft unique playground designs in AutoCAD while ensuring that ASTM and CPSC standards are met
• Develop and support the AutoCAD user interface to optimize drafting ease and efficiency
• Headed the design of several exciting new components: The Climbinator and The Climbing Forest
• Headed the design of the entire playground in Vallejo, CA as well as consulted on-site during construction
Playground Design Intern, Summer 2006
Leathers & Associates, Ithaca, NYResponsibilities
• Rewrote the custom AutoCAD user interface to take advantage of new data formats
• Maintained and reprogrammed design software to enhance efficiencyEngineering Research Assistant, Summer 2005
Cornell University, Ithaca, NYResponsibilities
• Worked directly under Engineering Professor Michel Louge testing published granular flow theories
• Ran experiments on granular flow and impact restitution using slow-motion cameras and microgravity simulations in order to calculate the effects of gravity on the flow dynamics -
Cornell University
Cornell University, College of Engineering, Ithaca, NY
School of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringMasters of Engineering received in May 2007 (GPA: 3.60)
Major in Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Systems Engineering, Dean’s ListBachelor of Science received in May 2006
Concentration in Aerospace Engineering, Gertrude Spencer Prize, Dean’s ListCourses
Feedback Control Systems, Applied Dynamics, Robotics, Spacecraft Engineering, System Dynamics, Project Management, Materials, Finite Element Analysis, Statics, Dynamics, Thermodynamics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Synthesis, CS – MATLAB, Fluid Mechanics -
The Climbinator, 2008-2009
Responsibilities
• Independently conceived of a unique climbing experience involving both rigid and flexible climbing members
• Deconstructed the typical climbing wall to create a new aerial space consisting of several suspended climbing surfaces for children of all ages to explore and approach in new and creative ways each time they traverse it
• Considered safety, visibility, motion, child fitness, and play value while conceptualizing The Climbinator
• Directly coordinated the design and manufacturing of the individual parts with our out-of-town contractor
• Modeled the original idea in Unigraphics NX6 to offer suppliers and communities a graphic 3-D representation
• Built the world’s first Climbinator in Vallejo, CA; many more are being constructed across the country
The Climbinator, 2008-2009
The Rocking Boat, Masters of Engineering Project, 2006-2007
Responsibilities
• Helped design the “Rocking Boat” playground component as a consultant for Leathers & Associates design firm
• The Rocking Boat is a handicapped accessible component that gives children the sensation of being on the ocean by using the center of rotation of a suspended platform to simulate the center of buoyancy of a ship on the water
• Used Lagrange’s equation and the method of virtual power on a 4-bar model to analyze how the dimensions of the component would affect the natural frequency of the apparatus and the implications of different frequencies
• The Rocking Boat is now in playgrounds across the country and slated to be built in many moreThe Rocking Boat, Masters of Engineering Project, 2006-2007
The Newton’s Cradle, Senior Design Project, 2005-2006
Responsibilities
• Designed an experimental apparatus similar to “Newton’s Cradle” to test published ideas about collision theory involving the reflection of shock waves travelling through adjacent objects and the conservation of energy
• Modeled the apparatus in Solid Works and fabricated it independently in the machine shopClimbing Forest
2008
12" x 12" x 7'
AutoCADThe Climbing Forest transforms the classic climbing wall. The holds have been placed onto simple vertical posts, creating a forest-like expansive climbing network. The number of posts and holds allows for endless possibilities when a child is negotiating the structure.
Climbing Forest
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Software
Proficient in AutoCAD, Alias Design, Solidworks, Unigraphics, MATLAB, Microsoft Office, Windows, OS XConstruction
Able to use the machine shop and wood shop