Wilson Lau was born and raised on the island of Oahu, where he graduated from Kalani High school. He is currently a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. Wilson enjoys hands-on projects and aspires to hone his skills in engineering design. In the future, Wilson is interested in finding ways to apply machine learning to various aspects of mechanical engineering. In his free time, Wilson enjoys hiking, running, and spending time with family and friends.
Home Island: Oahu
High School: Kalani High School
Institution when accepted: University of Hawai’i at Manoa
Project Site: Gemini Observatory, Hilo, Big Island HI
Mentor: Ross Megargel
Project Title: Redesigning the Gemini Dome Lateral Guide Rollers for Accessibility
Project Abstract: The Gemini North Telescope located on Maunakea is an 8.1 meter optical and infrared telescope. To perform many of its daily operations, the telescope dome must be able to rotate freely, and during this process, lateral guide rollers (LGRs) are used to keep the dome on track. In particular, the LGRs keep the dome from shifting horizontally by using horizontally-oriented wheels that rest against a circular track. Unfortunately, these wheels are attached to a bogie that is difficult to access and disassemble. Therefore, this project aims to create a new bogie setup that allows for the quick and easy replacement of the LGRs. The design must have a low number of parts to make disassembly simple, be easily manufacturable, and be able to withstand the loads from the telescope. The scale of this design is also limited by the existing infrastructure of the telescope and the compact working spaces. Multiple designs will be proposed and analyzed based on these criteria within CAD. These CAD models will then be adapted into finite element analysis (FEA) software to test each design’s ability to bear the loads of the telescope. A preliminary quote will be obtained for each part to evaluate their relative costs, and a machinist will be consulted to provide feedback. A setup will be designed in the future to make cuts on the existing bogies at a consistent height, which is crucial for preparing the bogies to integrate this project’s findings. Final conclusions and findings will be presented.