Richards 1

Curtis Richards
EE 494
March 9, 2017
Cumulative Reflection

I transferred to Iowa State University in the fall of 2015. I had an associate of arts degree
I received from community college. Coming in I felt competent in my general studies, but I was
lacking in electrical knowledge. My first electrical engineering core class at Iowa State was
digital logic.
In digital logic I would put together truth tables filled with ones and zeros corresponding
to true or false based on the facts of a situation. When the table was full we were able to find the
most efficient equation for describing the data set using a Karnaugh map. Being an electrical
power and distribution emphasis, I wouldn’t have every though I would be using that concept
much in the working world. While working my last Co-op I was burdened with the task of re-
designing different distribution layouts for better efficiency. I spend a couple hours marking out
layouts based of existing data, but it seemed fruitless. It was then I remembered the previous
methods taught to me in that class. By applying the Karnaugh map to the existing distribution
systems, I was able to find the most efficient layout in a minimum amount of time.
Digital logic was mostly centered around individual work, but one of my recent classes,
senior design, is based entirely on group work. Our senior design group is made up of 7 different
people, and it is one of the most diverse group of people I have worked with. With multiple
members that speak multiple languages, come from different countries, and have a wide variety
of work experience I know we will be able to apply our differences to come up with the best
solution to our assigned problem. Our assigned problem is designing, building, and testing a high
current pulse generator for the research of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Currently
the high current pulse generators on the market are expensive and nearly impossible to use with
new coil designs. Our goal is to provide a machine that is cost effective and able to quickly
interchange new coil designs for research of TMS in the medical field. In order to best tackle our
task, I divided the team into 4 different parts; power circuit, rectifying circuit, micro controller,
and chassis. We are applying the lean six sigma Design, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and
Control (DMAIC) to our process to bring about the best solution.
I first learned the DMAIC process while working an internship, and it was there I earned
my green belt in using the LSS tools. Being able to apply these tools I have learned in industry
has greatly improved my ability to achieve high results in and outside of my classes.
Last fall I also lead a group of 4 multi-disciplined students through a LSS process of
designing the power system of the future for the Alliant Energy Case Competition. Our design
focused on the integration of customer distributed generation in addition to the power company’s
generation. Because of our multi-discipline group, we were able to not only develop plans for
such an idea, but also prove it to work financially as well.
Looking back on all the projects I have completed on my own and with groups, I find the
best work I have done is when applying the concepts learned in the classrooms at Iowa State. As
I move on into the future, I will remember to always ask myself and groups if there is a more
efficient and successful way of solving engineering problems.