Ruben Thomas Email & Phone Number

Sammamish, WA, US

• Redesigning the compound planetary gearbox from scratch with the goal of reducing the length of the package by 40% to leave room for a new suspension geometry and reducing mass by 20%.
• Created a vehicle simulation of the car accelerating that characterizes all aspects of the car such as the motor efficiency curve, suspension geometry, and aero drag effects to test and validate hypothetical gear.

• Developed grounding straps to ensure a proper grounding path for fault current in the cabinet
• Created representative models of electrical equipment that can be mounted into the cabinets that is currently be used by the assembly team to determine proper wiring lengths and routing while the electrical equipment.
• Developed and maintained the top level schedule for design timelines, manufacturing deadlines, and customer need-by dates that was used by the Director of the P8 program.
• Assisted redesigning seal orifices to ensure no air leaks under maximum deflection
• Created MBDs and redesigned brackets and disconnect panels quickly to assist with upcoming engineering release dates for the E7 program.
• Checked and edited engineering drawings for accuracy and clarity

• Led a team of 6 to design a compound planetary gearbox for the FSAE competition.
• Gearbox features a DMLS Titanium Upright, Sintered Aluminum Cooling Jacket, and a compound planetary gearbox.
• Utilized Ntop to create field driven design that reduce pressure drop in the cooling jacket by 30%.
• Redesigned Carrier and Motor Mouring Plate geometry to allow for more material removal and reducing mass by 20%. And 50% respectively.
• Organized timelines between subteams and manufacturers to ensure timely assembly and integration.
• Created an in-house dynamometer utilizing a particle brake to test efficiencies of different setups of the motor package as well as regenerative braking and gear wear.

• Manage the team’s various financial accounts including a Chase Commercial Account and purchase all the necessary items required for the development of our $120,000 car.
• Developed a Google Sheets to organize purchase

• Researched and designed an improved shaft for transferring torque from the motor to the car’s planetary gearbox. Designed in Solidworks and verified through hand calculations and Ansys simulations until reaching a.
• Collaborated on the verification and implementation of the team’s new topology optimized laser sintered titanium uprights.
• Manufactured critical components such as the steering bracket to tolerances of up to 0.003” using the mill and lathe.

United States

• Operate 5-axis Haas machines to create parts for companies such as Blue Origin, SpaceX, and others.
• Post-processed parts with various deburring and cleaning methods.
• Conducted quality assurance through the use of CMM machines.
• Assembled over 6000 helicoils into a variety of parts.
• Created identifying features on parts through laser engraving, ink jetting, and other methods

Sammamish, Washington, United States

Led a team of over 80 members to build a robot that competes in the FRC competition. Taught engineering skills such as CAD, manufacturing, and assembly to newer members. As Director of Engineering, the team placed 4th in the PNW which qualified the team for Worlds in which we placed as a semifinalist in our division which was our best performing season as.

Engineering, Freshman

Activities and Societies: UW Formula SAE, Jazz Drumset

High School Diploma