Voiland CollegeWSU School of Mechanical and Materials EngineeringOne PagersBuilding a Compact Plastics Factory—Right in the Classroom!

Building a Compact Plastics Factory—Right in the Classroom!

Authors: Emily Larsen

A man holding up an injection-molded part in both hands while standing in front of a large screen giving a presentation.
Two team members revealing a freshly injection-molded part.

At Washington State University, a mechanical engineering capstone team designed a compact injection molding machine built for hands-on learning. The goal? A mobile, easy-to-use system that can plug into any standard wall outlet and crank out 10 plastic parts in under 30 minutes—all while demonstrating core concepts of manufacturing.

The graduating engineers—Charles Ludwig, Jacob De Lany, Will Hogg, Owen Stigge, and Shawn Rollness—started with cardboard mockups before refining their design using CAD and physical testing. They tested heat systems, pneumatic cylinders, and even guard placement to ensure it was safe, efficient, and clear for classroom use.

Five people standing behind a compact injection molding machine with a slide show presentation projected onto a wall behind them.
Team of five students standing behind their compact injection molding machine.

The final machine includes smart sensors, an ESP32 microcontroller, and a modular mold system. It’s equipped with LCD screens for live data, color-coded buttons, and wheels for easy movement. They even added a fold-out table to give users extra workspace.

This project blends engineering precision with teaching utility, making it not just a machine—but a full educational experience in LEAN manufacturing and process design.