COLIN HARRY

 

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Electrical/ Mechanical design and fabrication :

  • Twenty years of experience in the custom design and fabrication of mechanical devices prototypes for universities, hospitals, museums, trade shows and art galleries.

  • Expertise in a broad range of technical areas including; machining and metal fabrication, electronics, electrical, embedded systems, carpentry, hydraulics, pneumatic’s 3D design and 3D printing

  • Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to find innovative solutions to complex design problems.

Robotics

  • Created robots and mechanical devices for use in art exhibitions, science museums and research studies.

Management

  • Created and managed a small business that merged artistic talents with engineering design skills.

  • As project manager, recruited and supervised technical teams to meet specific project objectives and deadlines.

  • Managed and supervised students in the University of Toronto’s Aerospace and Mechatronics design lab.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO INSTITUTE FOR AEROSPACE STUDIES (UTIAS) Engineering Technologist  2015 - 2020  Toronto, Ontario

  • Provided mentor-ship and technical assistance to second year Engineering Science students in the mechanical design an fabrication of robots as part an undergraduate engineering design course AER201.

  • Procurement of electrical, electronic and mechanical hardware for use by student teams in the construction of their design projects throughout the semester.

  • Instructed and supervised students in the Aerospace and Mechatronics Design fabrication space and machine shop.    

  • Maintained the Aerospace and Mechatronics Design Lab’s computers, diagnostic and shop equipment.

  • Maintained and modified the lab’s subsonic and supersonic wind tunnel. Used by students in AER 303 the Aerospace Laboratory course.            

  • Technician in the Flow Control and Experimental Turbulence Lab (FCET). Assisted graduate students with mechanical design, set up and trouble shooting of experiments in the lab’s wind tunnel.                               

  • Secondment to the University of Toronto Myhal Maker space to design and build hardware for testing electronic components. The testing hardware would have allowed Maker space staff to quickly test mechatronic components returned by student teams at the end of the semester.

CONTINUUM AEROSPACE Designer     2007- Present Toronto, Ontario 

  • Detailed design, assembly and electrical integration of test stand and engine hardware for an additively manufactured small rocket engine prototype. It is intended for use as a propulsion system for micro satellites and cube satellites giving them the capability to maneuver while in orbit. Funded by the Canadian Space Agency’s Space Technology Development Program (STDP).

  • Generated 3D models and renderings using Solidworks design software as part of a Canadian Space Agency contract that examined the feasibility of developing a domestically built rocket to launch micro satellites into orbit.

  • Designed electronic enclosures and hardware assemblies for ground testing of a small hybrid rocket engine. Partially funded through an Ontario Centers of Excellence grant.

Mechatronic Design Consultant 2000- Present Toronto, Ontario

  • Work collaboratively with visual artist to design and fabricate interactive robotic and mechanical art work.

  • Responsible for sourcing, designing, fabrication and integration of the discrete electrical, electronic and mechanical components and assemblies.

  • Designed and constructed an autonomous interactive robot table (version 1) for artist Max Dean. The table was exhibited at the 2001 Venice Biennial and the National Gallery of Canada in 2002-2003. It was featured on the Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet series and is now part of the National Gallery’s permanent collection.

  • Installed and maintained the art work at international art exhibitions in Germany, Italy, Belgium and England.

TORONTO REHABILITATION INSTITUTE (TRI) / UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK Industrial Designer / Mechanical Technologist  2010 - 2014  Toronto, Ontario

  • Designed and built a socially assistive robot for use in a research study conducted by Artificial Intelligence and Robotics lab. The study examined the effectiveness of using a robot to assist individuals with cognitive impairments in preforming their daily activities by providing them with verbal prompts and reminders.

  • Designed the electrical system for a mobile patient lift intended to help mitigate back injury’s in nursing staff and personal support workers.

  • Created a functional prototype of a device to be used for the safe disposal of human waste with bed ridden or incapacitated patients in hospitals. It was intended to help reduce the spread of infectious disease in clinical environments.

  • Designed and fabricated electrical and mechanical hardware to support the research activities of scientists and graduate students. 

  • Led focus groups to solicit clinical feedback on design concepts prior to fabrication.

TURNKEY AUTOMATION /SAFEGUARD BIOSYSTEMS Mechanical Designer   2008 - 2010 Toronto, Ontario

  • Invented a patented needle designed to pierce closed lids of micro-liter sized plastic laboratory sample vials to extract the contents for analysis. The needle was designed to be integrated with existing robotic liquid handling systems commonly used in many clinical diagnostic and research laboratories.   

  • Responsible for integration and testing of electrical and mechanical hardware for a fully automated desktop DNA analyzer. It was intended for eventual use in human DNA analysis and pathogen detection pending Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.                       

HOLLAND  BLOORVIEW KIDS REHABILITATION HOSPITAL Electronic Technologist   2009  Toronto, Ontario

  • Built custom electronic equipment that allowed individuals with physical limitations to control devices in their home ( e.g. TVs, computers and automatic doors) helping to maximize their independence.

ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE (OSC) Exhibit Developer  2004 - 2006 Toronto, Ontario

  • Researched and developed a series of unique interactive exhibits designed to foster innovation and creativity in OSC visitors.

  • Developed an innovative robotics exhibit designed to help visitors quickly construct and program simple robot figures using cardboard sheets and tubes as building material in conjunction with specially adapted programmable motorized joints.  

  • Conceptualized, designed, fabricated and tested exhibit prototypes.

  • Worked with (OSC) designers and fabrication staff to ensure exhibit theme and content remained consistent throughout the various production stages.

EDUCATION

George Brown College    

  • Machine Shop certificate Program

George Brown College  

  • Solidworks courses

  • Auto Cad courses

Ontario College of Art and Design   

  • Life Modeling and Sculpture installation courses

Humber College of Applied Art and Technology  

  • Electromechanical Engineering Technologist Program (Completed two years of a three-year program)