About Me

Hi, my name is Kenneth(KJ) Torres, I’m a Mechanical Engineer from Orlando, Florida, and a proud graduate of the University of West Florida. During my time there, I was not only immersed in engineering studies but also played college football—an experience that taught me the value of teamwork, discipline, and resilience.

My passion lies at the intersection of engineering and innovation. I've contributed to multiple projects that explore the role of robotics in athlete development, as well as other forward-thinking applications of robotics and 3D modeling design. These experiences have deepened my drive to use engineering as a force for meaningful change.

I’m now pursuing a career where I can continue to push the boundaries of technology and make a positive impact on the world through smart, purposeful design

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My Projects

While in college, I have worked on several projects that have helped me enhance my knowledge of the engineering field.

Autonomous Tackling dummy

Taking the lead role of my capstone project, my team and I pushed the boundaries of sports development by developing new and improved innovative training equipment. The traditional pop-up dummies have been instrumental, in enhancing athletes' skills and mobility while minimizing the risk of injuries. However, these dummies have remained largely stationary or limited to linear movements, failing to replicate the dynamic, multi-directional challenges of actual gameplay. To bridge this gap, my team and I created new solutions to replicate those various movements. The concept involves utilizing 4WD Mecanum wheels to allow the multidirectional movement. The different directions of the wheels running, can allow the dummy to not just move 90 degrees, but it allows 45 degree cuts just by a push of button, on an mobile phone app that the team created a code that connects to a Bluetooth model paired to the app. This groundbreaking model and design, represents the culmination of our team's efforts, as we strive to revolutionize sports training equipment, by offering athletes a more realistic and challenging training experience.

Ultrasonic Object-Tracking Turret System

The Ultrasonic Object-Tracking Turret System is a compact, ping pong ball launching device designed for responsive and precise target tracking, with the primary goal of utilizing recycled materials found around the house. The system features two vertically mounted DC motors powered by a 12V battery, spinning smaller, foam-covered wheels made from recycled bottle caps to generate greater force and speed during launch. The frame is constructed from repurposed box tubing in an L-shaped design, with an angled ramp that guides each ball into the launch wheels at the optimal height. A servo motor positioned at the top of the tubing rotates 90 degrees to release one ball at a time, while a stepper motor connected to a recycled watch box allows the turret to rotate up to 160 degrees for adjustable targeting. An ultrasonic sensor mounted on the front detects objects within a 2 to 2.5-meter range and activates the firing sequence. At the core of the system is an Arduino Mega microcontroller, which serves as the central control unit for processing sensor data and managing motor functions. The programming was done using the Arduino IDE, with a relay module acting as a switch to control motor activation based on sensor input. Additional components include a breadboard, jumper wires, and resistors for power management and circuit integration. This project merges sustainable engineering with functional mechanical and electronic design, showcasing a creative approach to robotics using everyday recycled materials.

Electric Skateboard Design Team Project

As the leader of our skateboard design team, I was privileged to be part of a groundbreaking initiative to create environmentally friendly skateboards. We sought to address the pressing issue of deforestation by substituting traditional materials like maple and bamboo with sustainable palm fronds. However, during the fall semester of 2022, our progress was temporarily halted due to a patent-related challenge.

Undeterred, in the spring of 2023, my team and I decided to tackle another pressing environmental concern: reducing automobile usage. We embarked on a project to repurpose old skateboards into electric motorized boards, offering an eco-friendly and cost-effective transportation solution for college students on campus.

In the fall of 2022, I was deeply involved in the creation of these repurposed boards. During the following semester, I focused on modifying them into electric skateboards. My role included meticulously layering the veneers and employing vacuum sealing techniques to mold them into the desired shape. Additionally, I used SolidWorks software from 2021 to 3D model both the skateboard and the casing for the electric components.

My primary concern was achieving the right balance of start torque, voltage, and power to ensure that the electric skateboards could efficiently move a heavy load while maintaining safety for public use. The journey has been filled with challenges, but my team and I have made significant progress in developing the final product. Currently, our boards are undergoing rigorous testing and fine-tuning as we work towards our goal of providing a sustainable and practical transportation solution.

DC Motor Simulation For Robotic Arm Application

Robotic arms play a critical role in modern automation systems, with widespread applications across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and beyond—particularly in tasks demanding high precision, repeatability, and efficiency. This project centers on the differential modeling and performance analysis of a robotic arm, with a primary focus on evaluating the behavior and characteristics of the DC motor responsible for actuation. Utilizing simulation-based methods, I analyzed motor performance under varying voltage inputs (6V, 12V, and 24V) and load conditions to determine optimal operating parameters for balancing power efficiency, torque output, and dynamic response. DC motors were selected for their scalability, ease of control, and suitability for systems requiring variable torque-speed characteristics. The project involved developing and interpreting simulation data to assess motor behavior under realistic conditions, providing a deeper understanding of how component selection impacts overall robotic system performance. By emphasizing technical evaluation and practical design considerations, this study contributes to the development of more efficient, application-specific robotic arm solutions for both industrial and small-scale automation environments.

Skateboard Design Team Materials

In my first two semesters on the design team, we embarked on an exciting mission to revolutionize the skateboard industry by making boards more eco-friendly and affordable. Our innovative solution was to utilize renewable palm fronds, which were readily available in Florida, potentially reducing bamboo and maple wood in the skateboarding industry. As a member of the team, I played a pivotal role in various aspects of this endeavor. I was involved in sourcing a consistent supply of palm fronds, contributing to the design and creation of the boards, and handling the team's social media presence.

While our team successfully created a few prototype boards, we encountered significant challenges in striking the right balance between weight and strength. We were determined to refine our designs and processes to enable mass production of these environmentally conscious skateboards. However, our progress hit a roadblock when we encountered a patent issue that halted the development and distribution of our boards. Despite this setback, our team's commitment to sustainability and innovation pushed us to explore alternative routes to continue our mission.

LED Boards Projects

Creating LED boards independently was a skill I developed to craft affordable and visually appealing boards for my room. I extended this passion by designing boards for others, incorporating cost-effective materials such as repurposed bulletin boards, thinner plexiglass, and old whiteboards. These projects served as a valuable learning experience, honing my abilities in soldering, wiring, and the art of creatively designing while working within budget constraints. They presented engineering challenges that deepened my problem-solving skills and equipped me with strategies to overcome obstacles. My choice to use renewable materials not only aligned with sustainability goals but also aided in maintaining cost-efficiency and reliability. The creation of the signs also emphasized the importance of a well-thought-out design process, ensuring optimal outcomes in terms of cost, durability, and aesthetic appeal.