Mai Cai

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Robotics and Control) at Columbia University

New York, New York, United States

About

I am currently a graduate student at Columbia University pursuing an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, with a concentration in robotics and control. As a Mechatronics research assistant during my undergraduate study, I worked with various robots using software programming such as SolidWorks, LabVIEW, RobotStudio. These experiences filled me with enthusiasm to explore more of this field of study at Columbia. My other skills include but are not limited to Microsoft Office, MATLAB, Python, 3D printing, EES, ANSYS, and Arduino IDE.

Experience

  • Valparaiso University (Valparaiso, Indiana, United States)
    • Teaching Assistant
      Sep 2020 - Jan 2021 · 5 mos

      • Evaluated assignments for more than 50 students, providing constructive feedback to enhance class comprehension • Held weekly office hours and collaborated with professors to effectively resolve student inquiries

    • Research Assistant
      Feb 2020 - Jan 2021 · 1 yr

      XY Gantry System Prototype • Designed a rotational dial with a pneumatic cylinder and a suction cup for delivering color disks in a gantry • Utilized SolidWorks to assemble the entire gantry system, incorporating the rotational dial and additional components with an aluminum extrusion frame

    • Research Assistant
      May 2020 - Aug 2020 · 4 mos

      ABB Robot Color Sorter • Developed a LabVIEW program utilizing National Instruments (NI) CompactRIO for real-time data acquisition • Programmed different paths in RobotStudio to control robot arm’s movements based on digital inputs, automating the robot to pick up and place colored disks into designated containers based on color cues detected by the camera

  • Mechanical Engineering Intern at Fushun Yongmao Construction Machinery Co., Ltd
    Jan 2019 - Feb 2019 · 2 mos

    • Executed precise lathe operations, achieving accurate component machining in adherence to engineering standards • Directed end-to-end product management from initial design to customer support, prioritizing continuous improvement and proactive customer inquiry resolution

  • Mechanical Engineering Intern at Fushun Yongmao Construction Machinery Co., Ltd
    Jul 2018 - Aug 2018 · 2 mos

    • Analyzed diverse tower crane structures, gaining insights into mechanical design principles • Participated in safety tests for large-scale tower cranes, specializing in stability analysis • Observed and gained practical insights into tower crane operations and construction machinery applications