Christian Doll
Hi, all!
Welcome to my website where you can learn anything and everything about me. As the text above suggests my name is Christian Doll and I am a junior at the University of Connecticut majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I am very proud to be a University of Connecticut Husky and I cannot wait to put what I have learned into action!
On this website you will find projects that range from internship accomplishments to passion projects. I am a hands-on engineer and relish opportunities that expand my mechanical and technical know-how.
Navigation can be found at the top right corner of the website.
In Summer 2022 I managed to secure my first engineering internship as a Quality Assurance Engineering Intern at OFS in Avon, CT, a specialty fiber optic company. I learned incoming inspection, red pen, and performed various studies that had tangible impacts on production processes.
One study consisted of using an optical time-domain reflectometer, which calculates fiber spool length and measures attenuation. I was asked to determine what index of refraction most closely aligns with the mechanical length on fibers that consisted of various pre-forms, diameters, and coatings. My work resulted in a corrective action being implemented that updated the index of refraction to a number that was accurate to the centimeter on spools up to a kilometer long.
During my time at OFS I learned valuable skills and programs such as how to operate a milling machine and Solidworks respectively.
A development engineer asked me to design a tool that would cut 1.5" strips of C-Flex tubing in a manner that would save technicians valuable time. My first design on the left failed to cut the tubing cleanly and had safety concerns from the exposed razor. My second design iteration on the right corrected the mistakes of my first design and incorporated my newly learned skill of milling.
My time at OFS provided me the opportunity to lead projects. One such project consisted of leading a team to import a Material Review Board document into Microsoft Access. Managing the project consisted of incorporating multiple departments for feedback and setting goal-dates for discussions. A time study was conducted and it is estimated that this project has saved engineers 30 minutes of work a week compared to the old form.
In Summer 2022 I also had the opportunity to work on small projects over the weekends. A good friend of mine asked me if I could make him a double sided sign with his farm's logo on it. He offered me an overflowing bag of corn, some melons, and $20. I said deal and the results came out wonderful. (Check out his farm, the corn is simply amazing.)
Made a stencil to transfer the logo on the wood.
More projects, in no particular order, that I have completed over covid involve renovating my kitchen with my wife, tearing out and laying new boards on my deck, preparing a plot of land for a shed, and pouring concrete in the basement of my 1880 home.
Covid left all of us feeling a little stir crazy in our own homes so my wife and I decided to renovate our kitchen. The picture on the left is before and the two on the right are after. We painted the cabinets, tiled the backsplash, added granite countertops, and installed an island with a dishwasher on the far side. My wife and I did everything you see and what a pleasure it is to enjoy the final result!
My sister loved how nicely my kitchen came out and she asked me to install the backsplash in her kitchen. I couldn't turn down the opportunity to sink my teeth into another project and my brother-in-law and I got to work.
Laying deck boards in the middle of summer isn't ideal but if you stay hydrated and are determined enough, you can knock out an entire deck in a couple of days.
The shed build was one of the biggest projects I've ever undertaken. I removed an estimated 300 cubic feet and 20,000+ lbs of dirt, erected a cinder-block wall, and laid down 2 yards of pea gravel. Now I have more storage for more tools. 😊🔨🔧
My home was built in 1880 and the floors are composed of patches of concrete and dirt. When my brother, a mason, came into town we got to work pouring concrete. The floor now rests my workbenches and I have gained another skill to add to my mechanical know-how.
I love a good project and I love learning new skills. In the future I hope to expand my basement workshop so I can create more elaborate projects. One of my do-to projects includes setting up a dust collection system for my various wood tools.