Zach Heller Email and Phone Number

Work directly with the Innovation Hub Director in coordination with a team of Student Leads to develop operational procedures, oversee Technical Assistants in various shops and spaces, and ensure smooth operation of this state-of-the-art Innovation hub for a campus of over 7,000 students.

Technical Assistant for the new, state-of-the-art building with makerspaces, machine shops, and student design and build space at Colorado School of Mines. Job includes tool specification and procurement, machine training and documentation, communications, web development, and lab setup, leads machine training and tours, maintain the makerspaces and shops, manage tool checkouts, mentor design projects, co-lead workshops and tutorials, and help run the new Labriola InnoHub day-to-day operations.

Worked side-by-side with the founding inventors to research and develop multiple innovative mechanical products. Progressed through 3D modeling, rapid prototyping, iterative testing, product evaluation and scaling.

In conjunction with the Helena Regional Airport Local Innovation For TSA (LIFT) cell, led the design and manufacturing process of three innovative solutions that have since been implemented nationwide.1) Equipment Caddy (Patent Pending) - A new storage system for screening equipment used nationally in the United States. This system is currently implemented at over 35 airports streamlining the screening process at major hubs such as Denver, Houston, Atlanta, and Chicago. 2) X-Ray Guide - A small unit designed to fit onto an already nationally implemented product to reduce snags to optimize the screening process across the TSA. Over 300 units of this product have been implemented in 25 airports across the US.3) Baggage Ramp - A small ramp designed to allow for faster processing of checked bags and to reduce personnel injuries of TSA agents.

Assisted in executing various education activities:- Intro to chemistry labs- Advanced robotics courses- Nature appreciation expeditions

Led the design and manufacturing process of a competition robot each season. Instructed mechanical team members how to utilize CAD software, CNC machine, and on the design process. - Won 1st Place Design Award at the 2023 World Championship for 3D printing timing belts- Won 1st Place in Robot Performance at the 2023 Montana State Championship- Won 1st Place in Robot Performance at the 2021 Montana State Championship

Motivated and led the team of 8-10 members to keep advancing and innovating throughout the competition season. Planned outreach events with local STEM companies.- Successfully competed in the 2022-2023 season, advancing to the World Championship to compete against 193 other teams from around the world- Won 1st Place Connect Award at 2023 Montana State Championship- Won 1st Place overall (Inspire) at 2020 Montana State Championship

Worked under the guidance of the Mechanical Team Lead to advance my knowledge. Continuously strived to increase my mechanical design knowledge independently. Invented new solutions to mechanical problems presented to me.