Mateo Otero-Diaz: Engineering Portfolio

Overview

The Disc Golf Disc Cleaner is a fully integrated mechatronics system built for Olin College's Mechatronics course. The machine automates the disc cleaning cycle using motorized brushes and embedded control logic.

Project Specs

Form factor: Tabletop unit with disc-loading slot and motorized brush assembly
Primary goals: Automate the full cleaning cycle across mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems
Project artifacts: Fusion 360 / Onshape CAD assembly, Arduino firmware, wiring schematics, demo video

My Responsibilities

I designed the disc retention fixture and brush mounts, and matched the mechanical interfaces to the electronic actuation requirements.

Mechanical CAD in Autodesk Fusion 360 and Onshape: disc retention fixture, brush mounts, and chassis layout
Coordinated tolerances between 3D-printed parts and off-the-shelf components
Contributed to Arduino firmware for motor sequencing and timing logic
Ran full-system integration tests and iterated on cycle timing after each test run

Technical Contributions

Designed disc-loading and retention fixture to accommodate variation in disc size
Specified brush geometry and motor selection to achieve required cleaning force
Developed cleaning cycle sequence: load → brush → eject
Conducted integration tests and iterative refinement of cycle timing parameters

Project Website

Full documentation, build log, and additional detail is available at the project site:

disc-golf-project.vercel.app

Project Media

Disc Golf Disc Cleaner enclosure CAD render showing the outer chassis and disc-loading slot — CAD render of the disc cleaner enclosure showing the chassis layout, disc-loading slot geometry, and overall form factor of the tabletop unit.

Photo of the assembled Disc Golf Disc Cleaner machine — The assembled disc cleaner showing the brush assembly and disc retention fixture in their final integrated configuration.

Close-up photo of the disc cleaner mechanical assembly during build or testing — Close-up of the brush mount and motor assembly during integration, showing the tolerancing between 3D-printed brackets and off-the-shelf drive components.

Screenshot showing disc cleaner software, firmware, or CAD view — Screenshot of the Arduino firmware or CAD environment used during development, showing the control logic or mechanical design in progress.

System architecture diagram for the disc cleaner mechatronics system — System architecture diagram showing how the mechanical, electrical, and firmware subsystems interface across the full disc cleaning cycle.

Detailed system diagram for the disc cleaner control and actuation flow — Detailed system diagram illustrating the control and actuation flow from Arduino motor commands through to the brush and drive mechanisms.

Wiring diagram for the disc golf disc cleaner electrical system — Wiring diagram showing the electrical connections between the Arduino, motor drivers, brush motors, and power supply throughout the disc cleaner assembly.

Animated simulation of the disc cleaner cycle, showing the load, brush, and eject sequence.

Fusion 360 CAD walkthrough of the disc cleaner assembly, demonstrating the mechanical design intent, component relationships, and key interface features across the machine.

Tools & Methods

Autodesk Fusion 360OnshapeArduino IDE3D Printing

Development followed iterative build-test-refine cycles across mechanical, electrical, and firmware subsystems.

Disc Golf Disc Cleaner