Hrsh Shah Engineering Portfolio

Plastic screws were initially selected based on approximate calculations for shear strength. Then, a testing rig was designed with CAD and manufactured with a water jet and various shop tools.

The testing rig and shear pins were further tested for shear stress using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) on Autodesk Fusion. This was done for various sizes of screws to analyze the breaking mechanism and potential flaws.

Then, multiple tests were conducted using a Universal Testing Machine with wedge grip clamps. The results were very similar to the FEA predictions. They broke in a consistent and calculable manner.

Finally, a shear pin size was selected for the rocket and integrated into the overall CAD assembly to support further simulations. 

In order to reliably eject a parachute in space, the nose cone must be pressurized with CO2. I entirely recreated an OTS component that allows for CO2 ejection on Autodesk Inventor CAD. 

My team and I conducted ejection tests using the CO2 pressurization and also launched a test rocket using this equipment. These tests were done to ensure ejection on larger rockets.

After verifying the eligibility of the component, I integrated it into the PHANTOM rocket CAD assembly for  further design and analysis. 

In the future, I plan to analyze the dynamics of parachute deployment in microgravity. The lack of air could cause entanglement, folds, and failure to inflate.

Image Credit: NASA

I created innovative parts such as a female-female SVL Cap to make chemical sample creations easier.

I also created parts oriented around ergonomics and user comfort. 

I recreated an inertion funnel patented by my supervisors. The recreation showed material savings and printing with minimal supports.

I recreated a Microtissue Mold to support cell culture experiments.

Using my engineering skills, I saw a problem with my rocket and aimed to engineer my way out of it. I created a unique avionics bay that also served as a coupler, transition, and parachute anchor.

Once the part was printed and assembled, I integrated it into my team's rocket and began flying it. This proved to be very useful and I was able to optimize it even further after learning its weakness through testing.

Finally, after months of planning, designing, building, and testing, our rockets were completed and their performance led us to the top 50 teams in the national competition out of 750. Over three years, I conducted over 40 test flights. 

As a result of our team's hard work and my innovations, our team won the National Best Rocket Craftsmanship Award. Furthermore, I initiated a club in my high school with over 40 participants. The club still three years later.