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Item Outsourcing Considerations for Douglas County School District(2023-04-17) Schuurman, Michael James; Ray, Matthew; Koo, Dan; Dalir, HamidDue to inefficiencies in staffing and response rates to work order requests, including providing the appropriate preventative maintenance for facilities and equipment, Douglas County School District is seeking ways to shift some of the operational responsibilities to third-party vendors through supplemental service agreements, otherwise known as outsourcing. This project looks at the costs and effectiveness of performing facility management functions for the Douglas County School District with third-party vendors, by contracting for as-needed services through an outsourcing vendor. Actual data for the Douglas County School District is obtained for the fiscal year ending 2022, including financial and data related to the responsibilities of the Douglas County School District facilities management department. The custodial services, grounds services, and operation/maintenance disciplines, which comprise the larger facilities management department, were analyzed and used for this project. The project found that outsourcing comes in many different models. Each organization must custom-fit these models to accommodate their needs, which could be customer service related, the availability of funds, or other reasons.Item CM Buck Project(2024-05-02) Boone, Sam; Gonzalez, Anthony; Freije, Elizabeth; Pash, PhillipFor this project, we are looking at a more cost-effective alternative to the Modbus to BACnet converters that are being used with the critical power equipment our company sells. These converters will be used in places where the existing building management systems use BACnet communication protocols. The current converters are over-engineered and overly complex for our customers’ needs who are requesting a simplified option. Our design needs to be able to monitor multiple pieces of critical power equipment, as well as have ride through time in the event of power loss to provide continuous monitoring.Item API’s & Machine Learning Principles For Fire Systems(2024-04-24) Felts, Joshua; Moe, Chris; Weissbach, Robert; Freije, Elizabeth; Pash, PhillipThe FireConnect product line exists as a well-developed system for remote monitoring of fire protection systems with an extensive array of compatibility and iterations based on the controller manufacturers and their product lines, each with their own unique communication protocols. The FireConnect service provides the user with a unique interface for their monitoring service with access through a web-based browser or a dedicated mobile application. This product also collects and aggregates the same data on the service providers cloud-based servers, where we as the manufacturer can access this data via an API, or Application Programming Interface. This provides us, the manufacturer, with a plethora of data with an infinite amount of value, ripe with potential for monetization. The problem is nothing has been developed to make use of the data and its untapped potential outside of the real-time monitoring system unless an individual with extensive experience and industry knowledge were to examine the data trends. The goal of this project was to use the data in such a way to generate sales based on the logical use of this data and industry specific requirements for maintenance and testing, to provide automatically generated leads. These leads are to be automatically populated on a user interface, not to be confused with the existing product offering, but to be used by customer service or sales managers to proactively engage with customers, while simultaneously generating an email-based notification for the customer on file.Item A Case Study of Safe and Cost-Effective Hospital HVAC Strategies(2022-08-02) Caesar, Jeffrey; Ray, Matthew Veto; Koo, Dan; Dalir, HamidThe pressures of healthcare facilities to keep patients safe while also maintaining financial viability have been felt in recent years amongst industry leaders. The impacts COVID has had on patient safety and planning has in any way fast-tracked patient safety progress, but certainly at a financial cost. As hospital leaders and facility leaders attempt to grapple with these realities, a facility's operating strategy that addresses both safety and cost should be employed. The below study aims to solve two issues facing hospital facility leadership in regards to the facilities’ HVAC system. The first issue is how to decrease energy consumption and operating expenses in light of industry pressures to improve the financial outlook and secondly, how to increase patient safety as a direct result of COVID-19 realities. Increasing safety and ultimately flexibility can many times increase costs, so utilizing the most appropriate and tested techniques that follow patient safety protocols will be necessary. The importance of this study cannot be understated. As with any healthcare system, improving patient outcomes are at the heart of the industry and especially in light of our recent pandemic. The fundamental question as to how facilities can keep patients safer while simultaneously reducing energy consumption is a tough question to answer, but manageable due to both recent industry experience and up-to-date research on the topic. The methodology will be to conduct a straightforward cost benefit analysis that takes into account both patient safety and energy consumption. The first step will be to gather baseline data for Lutheran Hospital’s HVAC system to gauge current system performance vs. benchmarked performance. Next, the data will inform us as to what strategies to implement to both curb costs and increase patient safety. The third step will be to implement those strategies where possible and measure their benefits. Lastly, a conclusion will be made as to what long-term solutions will be most useful to both this hospital and the other hospitals within Lutheran Health Network.Item MSTE Flywheel Capstone Project Report(2024-04-30) Hill, Kaleb; Franco, Gabrielle; Abegunde, Dami; Weissbach, Robert; Pash, Phillip; Freije, ElizabethThe objective of this capstone project evolved during its progression, ultimately aiming to develop a control system capable of idling the engine and operating the flywheel with braking capabilities. The flywheel's functionality includes idling the engine at approximately 3000-5000 RPM and rotating at speeds between 7000-9000 RPM. While the complete control system remains a work in progress, the flywheel can be fully braked, and preliminary data analysis has been conducted. Presently, the servo mechanism is utilized to maintain engine idling, adjusting the throttle to approximately 108° and returning to 100° upon closure. Future iterations will involve further servo implementation to facilitate RPM acceleration, achieving full throttle opening at 120° and introduce gradual braking.Item Residential Emergency Backup Power Supply and Hazard Detector(2021-05-01) Medina, Marco; Izadian, AfshinThe purpose of this device is to work as a power backup to a house’s sump pump system for when there is a power outage, specifically targeting homes older than the year 2000. It is assumed the UPS will be operating in a basement. The system will be able to operate continuously for 3 hours. If within this time, the battery is low, the pump overheats or fails to start, the client will receive an email notification. In addition, if the battery is bad and/or is not charging when the main AC power is back, the client will also get an email notification. Our UPS will contain the following components: a smart charger that will be connected to the main power source, an inverter that will convert DC to AC, and a bypass switch. Our system will have one current sensor, one voltage sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor. All the sensors will be connected to the embedded system. This will be key to keep our system working the way it should. The team will also keep in mind any standards that will apply to the system. They shall refer to IEEE, NEC, UL, IP Layer Protocol, and other agency standards with which to comply.Item Utilizing Modern Fleet Management Technologies to Track and Manage Indiana University Landscape Services’ Grounds Equipment Fleet(2023-08-01) Johnson, Tristan Beck; Ray, Matthew VetoTechnology integration is critical to the successful operation of any business or municipality. In today’s modern era of sophisticated machinery, smart sensors, and data tracking software, teams must develop a comprehensive software suite that caters to their needs as an industry. In the case of a large user group such as a municipality or higher education environment, these points are even more important. These large entities, unlike a business or production facility, function as small-to-medium-sized cities. Multiple divisions, multiple accounting methodologies, and multiple management teams are the norm for major universities. Ensuring that the university adopts and adheres to a widely adaptable set of operating procedures ensures that these various divisions can all work in a similar format while still allowing each team to adapt their procedures to their unique needs. One of the most difficult tasks of any university is the upkeep and maintenance of its physical assets. These can include the academic buildings, the infrastructure that heats and cools those buildings, and the equipment used to perform those maintenance duties for the physical assets of a university. This task is typically handled by a fleet management division. These fleet management divisions rely heavily on the latest technology to ensure their vehicular and equipment assets are maintained properly, replaced on schedule and ultimately can perform the duties of the workers who utilize them on a daily basis. In the same way that modern technology can improve the everyday functions of so many tasks in daily life, the proper fleet management software can handle many of the important tasks of a facility and fleet manager. Data acquisition can be largely automated, resulting in an accurate inventory of even the most sophisticated equipment fleets. The purpose of this study is to examine the potential optimization of a fleet management system at IU Landscape Services by examining the current framework of existing technologies available to Indiana University. The outcome of this exercise will be a proposed new direction to help accomplish these goals.Item Batch Mixing Skid Senior Design Capstone 2024(2024-05-01) Gibbs, Hayden; Wheeler , Zachary; Isaacs, Laiten; Freije , Elizabeth; Pash , Phillip; Weissbach , RobertThis report will look at the Batch Mixing Skid located in ET222 of the Engineering Technology building. The purpose of the Batch Mixing Skid is to provide a comprehensive solution to demonstrate how various instrumentation can be integrated and utilized to monitor and automate a system. This system uses a PLC and HMI to control solenoid valves and pumps to move water to different tanks, as well as heating and mixing the liquids. This process is designed to replicate what could be seen in an industrial setting, but at a smaller scale. The current Batch Mixing Skid is loud, inefficient, and a burden to use making it difficult for faculty and students within the ECET 35100 to learn about the instrumentation on the Batch Mixing Skid. While this project has been worked on by multiple groups in the past, our goal is to make this system more user-friendly, more efficient, and made to last as well as to create a great platform for students to learn from. We will do this by replacing the systems' plumbing, installing a new PLC and HMI system, rewriting the code from the ground up, as well as other improvements. The goal, outcome, and why this project is significant is that this is a system that will be used by the department for many years to come. This aims to teach students in ECET 35100 more about instrumentation, PLCs, and ladder logicItem New Standard of Pharmaceutical Procurement after COVID-19(2022-12-16) Mook, Kayla; Ray, Veto M.; Koo, Dan; Dalir, HamidCoronavirus, also known as, COVID-19, formed the new standard of pharmaceutical procurement today. Since the pandemic's start, the pharmaceutical industry has changed from purchasing scientific materials for daily lab use to purchasing in bulk in fear of manufacturers running out. The pandemic is still affecting production delays two years later. These product delays stem from a lack of raw materials for production, shipping delays, and increased demand. Therefore, Avantor and Johnson & Johnson have to find a solution to purchasing and obtaining products for lab services. If not, then the company will lose the contract. With the lab services that Avantor provides for Johnson & Johnson, lab products must be delivered on time to meet scientists' deadlines for their studies. To meet these deadlines, Avantor is testing new approaches to procurement business. One solution so far in motion is keeping purchased products off-site at a designated location. Another goal of this study is to find local vendors that will be an improvement in finding more resources to keep up with inventory demand. In addition to large orders, having three approved alternatives on stand-by is necessary. Utilizing the barcodes that show approved alternatives when checking inventory will be beneficial. Financially, this complicates business with scientists. If Avantor does not deliver material on time for a study, the customer (Johnson & Johnson) will go elsewhere to find the products and potentially contact a competitor company. It is imperative to have supplies on hand ready to be used to maintain good standing with the customer.Item Case Study – Solar Panel Installation in Mitsubishi Turbocharger and Engine America Plant – Feasibility Study(2022-08-02) Bajgoric, Kenan; Ray, Veto; Koo, Dan; Dalir, HamidData collected from the MTEA site as well as contractor-provided information was analyzed and reviewed to show how solar power can contribute to MTEA's overarching strategic plan of reducing CO2 emissions and lowering operating costs. This study is significant because the results will demonstrate that harnessing solar energy is financially and technologically feasible for MTEA.