Capstone in Manufacturing

Course Description

ETI2950C — Capstone in Manufacturing is a combined lecture and laboratory course serving as the culminating experience of the Industrial Systems Technology program. Students integrate and apply knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program by planning, executing, and presenting a comprehensive manufacturing project that addresses a real-world industrial problem. The course emphasizes independent and team-based problem solving, technical communication, professional work ethics, and the synthesis of core competencies including manufacturing processes, quality systems, automation, safety, and continuous improvement.

This course is designed to be taken in the student's final term of the program. Department consent or advisor approval is typically required prior to enrollment.

Learning Outcomes

Required Learning Outcomes

• Integrate knowledge and skills from prior coursework to plan and execute a comprehensive manufacturing capstone project.
• Demonstrate industrial safety, health, and environmental requirements applicable to the selected project environment.
• Apply methods of quality assurance and quality control in a manufacturing context.
• Select and correctly use appropriate tools, equipment, materials, and processes required for a given manufacturing task or project.
• Work effectively as a member of a project team, demonstrating professionalism, time management, and work ethics.
• Communicate project objectives, methodology, findings, and recommendations through written reports and oral presentations.
• Demonstrate modern industrial processes and materials relevant to the project scope.

Optional Learning Outcomes

• Apply Lean manufacturing and/or Six Sigma DMAIC methodology to identify and reduce process waste or variation.
• Utilize CNC machining, PLC programming, or robotics as part of an automated manufacturing solution.
• Conduct an engineering economic or cost-benefit analysis related to the proposed manufacturing improvement.
• Perform process simulation or factory layout analysis to support project recommendations.
• Apply statistical process control (SPC) tools to analyze and improve product or process quality.
• Engage with an external industry sponsor or community partner to define and complete a real-world project.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Project Planning and Management — Defining project scope, objectives, milestones, deliverables, and team roles; applying project management tools such as Gantt charts or work breakdown structures.
• Industrial Safety and Regulatory Compliance — OSHA standards, hazard identification, PPE requirements, and environmental considerations in manufacturing settings.
• Manufacturing Processes and Materials — Review and application of relevant processes (machining, forming, joining, additive manufacturing) and material selection principles.
• Quality Assurance and Inspection — Methods of quality control including inspection techniques, dimensional measurement, and quality documentation.
• Technical Documentation and Reporting — Preparation of project proposals, progress reports, final technical reports, and supporting drawings or specifications.
• Oral Presentation and Defense — Formal presentation of project findings to faculty, peers, and/or industry representatives.
• Teamwork and Professional Ethics — Collaborative project execution, ethical decision-making, and professional conduct in an engineering technology context.

Optional Topics

• Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement — Value stream mapping (VSM), 5S, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), waste reduction, and kaizen methodologies.
• Six Sigma / DMAIC Process Improvement — Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control framework applied to a manufacturing or industrial process problem.
• Automation and Control Integration — PLC programming, HMI design, sensor integration, and/or CNC operation as applied in the capstone project.
• Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing — Industrial robot programming, collaborative robots (cobots), or additive manufacturing (3D printing) applications.
• Statistical Process Control (SPC) — Control charts, process capability analysis, and basic statistical quality tools (Pareto, fishbone, scatter diagrams).
• Engineering Economics — Cost estimation, return on investment (ROI), and justification of manufacturing improvements.
• Computer-Aided Design/Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) — Use of CAD/CAM software to support project design and fabrication.
• Industry 4.0 / Smart Manufacturing Concepts — Introduction to IoT, data acquisition, and digital manufacturing as relevant to the project.

Resources & Tools

• Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS): flscns.fldoe.org — Official course profile and transfer information for ETI2950C.
• Project Management Software: Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent Gantt chart/WBS tools.
• CAD/CAM Software: AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Mastercam, or Fusion 360 (institution-dependent).
• PLC Programming Software: Rockwell RSLogix/Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal, or equivalent.
• Statistical Software: Minitab or Excel with statistical add-ins for SPC and Six Sigma analysis.
• Manufacturing Lab Equipment: CNC machines, manual machining tools, welding equipment, 3D printers, and/or robotics cells as available at the offering institution.
• American Society for Quality (ASQ): asq.org — Reference standards and body of knowledge for quality and manufacturing professionals.
• OSHA Standards Reference: osha.gov — Regulatory standards applicable to manufacturing environments.

Career Pathways

Successful completion of ETI2950C and the Industrial Systems Technology program prepares graduates for entry-level to mid-level positions in Florida's advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors. Relevant career titles include:

• Manufacturing Technician / Manufacturing Engineer Technologist
• Quality Control / Quality Assurance Technician
• Industrial Production Technician
• CNC Machinist / CNC Programmer
• Automation / PLC Technician
• Process Improvement Technician (Lean / Six Sigma)
• Manufacturing Supervisor / Team Lead
• Maintenance Technician (Industrial Systems)

This course also supports articulation pathways into Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) programs in Technology Management or Engineering Technology offered at Florida state colleges and universities.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

Depending on the capstone project focus and institution, students may receive preparation toward the following industry-recognized credentials:

• ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT) — Through application of quality assurance, inspection, and SPC topics covered in the capstone.
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt or Green Belt — Institutions such as the College of Central Florida (CF) offer aligned Lean Six Sigma certificates; capstone projects using DMAIC methodology support preparation for these credentials.
• OSHA 10-Hour or 30-Hour General Industry Card — Industrial safety content embedded in the capstone aligns with OSHA 10/30 General Industry standards.
• Certified Production Technician (CPT) — Manufacturing Technician Alliance (MTA) — Capstone competencies in manufacturing processes, quality, and safety align with CPT exam domains.

Program and Enrollment Notes

• ETI2950C carries a lab indicator (C) under the Florida SCNS, indicating a combined lecture and laboratory format meeting in the same location.
• This course is typically taken in the final (graduating) semester of the A.S. in Engineering Technology or related Industrial Systems Technology program.
• Department or advisor consent is generally required prior to enrollment.
• Students should be prepared to lift 50+ pounds as physical lab work may be required, consistent with program safety guidelines at Florida ETI programs.