Christopher Carrick Email & Phone Number

Carlsbad, California, United States

Kingston, Ontario

Member of the Structural and Multi-disciplinary System Design (SMSD) group, under the supervision of Dr. Il Yong Kim at Queen's University. Our lab specializes in advanced system level and structural analysis and optimization, collaborating with many industry partners to produce novel research and design solutions for the aerospace, automotive and defence industry. Industry Collaboration:•Bombardier Aerospace: Used topology optimization, advanced and non-linear explicit dynamic finite element analysis to produce several design concepts for a novel aircraft seat design. Considered manufacturability metrics to make quantifiable improvements to cost compared to the baseline design. Ensured that the new seat structure met all certification test requirements through comparison of the explicit dynamic FEA results to videos of the certification tests.•Bombardier Transportation: used finite element analysis and applied topology optimization to reduce the cost and weight of several monorail structures. Final design concepts that considered manufacturability and manufacturing metrics were proposed, which reduced both cost and weight by ~50% compared to the initial design. Produced a scale prototype to demonstrate manufacturability of final design.•General Motors Canada: re-interpreted multi-material topology optimization results, while considering manufacturing methods which were currently employed by GM to minimize cost. Thesis Project: •Layout and packaging optimization of automotive and aerospace systems: Developed a novel optimization method to determine the best packaging and layout of components within automotive and aerospace systems, considering physical effects and interactions between components. Please see my publications for details.

Kingston, Ontario

MECH 323 - Machine Design: Developed a new semester length course project in which students had to design a gearbox for a small car which competed in two events. Students 3D printed their gearboxes and tested them at the end of the course. Taught labs, and taught several class lectures. MECH 213 - Manufacturing Methods: Taught undergraduate students safe practices and operation of machine tools in the Mclaughling Hall Machine Shop. Educated students on different manufacturing processes and details of designing parts for these processes.

Kingston, Ontario

Worked under Dr. Dave Adams and Dr. Jack Jeswiet in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Performed tests and assisted with research on advanced manufacturing processes (specifically Single Point Incremental Forming).

Toronto, Canada

Developed new design concepts for aircraft structures using topology optimization, with the objective to minimize mass and cost, subject to structural and certification requirements. Verified design concepts using advanced non-linear finite element analysis to ensure they met FAA/CARs certification requirements. Internship was part of an industrial research project done during the course of my PhD. •Topology optimization for concept development and mass minimization•CAD reinterpretation of topology optimization results•Advanced Explicit dynamic finite element analysis to determine stresses and deformation, and to verify certification test requirements. •Designed for manufacturing to minimize cost•Mechanical prototype constructed•Published patent on novel aircraft seat design as a result of these design works

Kingston, Ontario

Co-Manager and Lead Design and Technical Manager of the team for 2013/2014 season, heavily involved member of the team for four years. Designed, analyzed, manufactured and tested parts and systems for a single seat off-road vehicle. •Used Solidworks, ANSYS, Excel and ADAMS software extensively to design parts and systems for the car.•Used MasterCAM to generate toolpaths and program CNC milling machines for manufacturing.•Operated lathes, welders, CNC mills, drill press, surface grinder, etc. to manufacture and machine parts for the car.•Assembled vehicle, developed testing procedures for different systems, analyzed completed cars metrics and performance in many aspects.•Managed several sub-teams, including rookie members. Was responsible for teaching and training members in design and analysis aspects as well as in the machine shop.•Competed in 3 competitions each year across the United States against 200+ teams from around the world.

Worked under Dr. Dave Adams and Dr. Jack Jeswiet in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Performed tests and assisted with research on advanced manufacturing processes (specifically Single Point Incremental Forming).

Kingston, Ontario

Worked as a fabricator and welder on the shop floor and was responsible for several design projects.

Toronto, Ontario

Repaired and maintained waterslides, paddleboats and bumper boats.

Toronto, Ontario

Digitized grading plans using Microstation V8 CAD software.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Mechanical Engineering - Structural And Multidisciplinary Optimization And Design

Specializing in Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization and Design

Bachelor Of Applied Science - Basc, Mechanical Engineering

Activities and Societies: Queen's Baja SAE Design Team