Dust Collectors and Conference Presenting: a Student Experience

Looking for an engineering program close to home, Nick Harlow found the perfect fit at Western Kentucky University. The intimate and intensive learning environment with small classes and professional interaction suited his learning style well. In addition to projects in every class, he was encouraged to participate in the student section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.  Harlow also had the opportunity for student employment in the Thermal Fluids Laboratory under the direction of Dr. Robert Choate. In addition to his laboratory duties, Harlow designed and developed a dust collector experiment.  With faculty encouragement, he presented the findings of his experiment at a regional conference for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Inspired by a magazine article, Harlow developed a dust collector performance test bed to measure the air flow performance and understanding the fan selection process found in a common wood shop dust collector and its associated duct system.  As part of the parameters for the project, he designed the experiment to be incorporated into the Engineering Experimentation and Instrumentation courses as a capstone laboratory experiment. Harlow presented his findings to first to the engineering department and the more formally at the regional ASME conference. Reflecting on the opportunity, Harlow found the experience to be challenging, valuable, and unlike anything he had done previously. Technical writing and presenting a paper provided him the additional possibility to enhance professional skills.

“It was a very valuable experience. I would recommend the opportunity to other students, especially if you’re going to graduate school.”

Harlow is a mechanical contractor for Lyons Company.