User:Jondaboiy

User data

Name	Jonathan Gomes
Affiliations	Western University, Free Appropriate Sustainable Technology
Location	London, Ontario
Nationality	Canada
Languages	English, French(Intermidiate)
Skills	CAD Design
Interests	Video Games, Formula 1, Percussion, Food
Email	jgomes45uwoca
Registered	2025

Jonathan Gomes is an undergraduate student at Western University pursuing a dual degree in Mechanical Engineering and Artificial Intelligence Systems Engineering, developing expertise in mechanical design and process optimization. Skilled in CAD modelling and has achieved the Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) certification.

Hands-on experience includes co-leading a prototype development project with The Northern Hail Project during his first year of university. The project focused on detecting hail impact forces using integrated sensors and 3D modelling. This work involved mechanical design, sensor calibration, and data analysis. Redesigning a filament pelletizer that takes old 3D filament and converts it into pellets to use again for printing. This work involved extensive 3D mechanical CAD design, especially developing a compact gear train with swappable gears to change gear ratios and pellet sizes, and lots of 3D printing. He also worked on redesigning an agrowall that allows for vertical farming. He created snap-in cupholders that required extensive prototyping and research on 3D materials, along with many other parts required for the build, such as a ramp for redirecting water flow, clamps for pipes, and clamps for aluminum extrusions.

Previous professional experience as a Human Resources Administrative Assistant at Stewart Title Guaranty Company provided a strong foundation in organizational systems, technical documentation, and Excel-based data management.

Passionate about combining mechanical systems design and AI-driven analysis to develop innovative solutions for modern manufacturing and product development.

Hail-Impact Sensor Prototype for the Northern Hail Project (NHP)

During Jonathan’s first year in the Western Engineering 1050 design course, he co-led a team of five in developing a prototype hail-impact sensor system for the Northern Hail Project (NHP), a Canadian research initiative focused on understanding hailstorm frequency and impact severity. This project combined principles of mechanical design and environmental sensing to create an open-sourced design for hail detection.

• Served as one of the core team leaders, overseeing mechanical design, sensor integration, and overall system assembly.
• Utilized Onshape for 3D modelling of the sensor housing in the sensor plate and a rotary mechanism and the overall prototype; it is an open-source modelling software that made it easy to share the design between the group.
• Implemented a wind-vane and rotary encoder system which powers a servo motor, allowing the sensor plate to automatically align with the wind direction to maximize exposure to high-force hail impacts.
• Designed the sensor plate with piezoelectric sensors that measure hail impact forces, interfaced with an Arduino microcontroller for data collection and timestamping.
• The sensor plate, Base, and Wind Vane of the Prototype were 3-D printed.

The project aimed to provide the Northern Hail Project and Canadian users with accessible, low-cost technology to gather real-time hail impact data for research and protective applications.

Open-Source Filament Pelletizer

Jonathan built a drill-driven filament pelletizer designed to recycle old or scrap filament into reusable pellets for 3D printing. The project was based on an open-source design by Teaching Tech (originally published at https://www.printables.com/model/672486-self-feeding-open-source-filament-pelletizer) but was heavily modified to improve usability, safety, and modularity.

• Served as the core designer, redesigning key mechanical components and reworking the original open-source model to recreate in Canada and suit personal needs.
• Utilized Onshape for 3D modelling of custom components, including the gear train, bottle attachments, and gear cover.
• Designed screw-on bottle attachments to replace the original TPU friction-hold system, providing a more secure and reliable connection for pellet collection.
• Reworked the gear train to support swappable gears, using heat-set inserts instead of lock nuts for a cleaner, more durable assembly.
• Added a gear cover as an extra safety feature to reduce the risk of contact with moving parts during operation.
• Created a bottle attachment cap that seals the collection point when the pelletizer isn't in use, keeping debris out and adding safety.
• Added a spool holder to the design for added functionality, along with several mini revisions throughout the build process to refine fit and performance.
• Added clamps to key connection points, making the overall assembly more robust and secure during operation.

Open-Source Vertical Farming Agrowall

Jonathan worked on redesigning an Agrowall, an open-source vertical farming system designed to make food production more space-efficient and economically feasible. The project was based on reducing the high cost of commercial vertical growing walls by relying on a largely 3D-printed design paired with a polycarbonate sheet as the main support structure.

• Served as a core contributor, developing a full-scale vertical growing wall using a recycled plastic lumber frame and polycarbonate sheet panelling, lowering the cost per wall by $5,000 compared to commercial options.
• Utilized FreeCAD for 3D modelling of snap-in cup holders and supporting hardware, including door handles, latches, and pipe clamps, to simplify tool-free assembly.
• Designed snap-in cup holders that required extensive prototyping and material research to balance flexibility and durability for repeated snap-fit use.
• Evaluated materials and infill strategies, including PETG for snap-in parts, to achieve the right balance of strength and flexibility.
• Designed a water-redirecting ramp to manage runoff within the wall system, along with clamps for pipes and clamps for aluminum extrusions to secure structural components.
• Drilled 2.5-inch mounting holes into polycarbonate panels and sealed each opening to enable secure, weatherproof cup holder installation.
• Performed hands-on assembly work, including spray painting, drilling, and caulking/sealing, to fully waterproof the structure for plant growth.