Alexi Tzakas

I am a highly motivated and recently graduated Automotive Engineer with a strong passion for the field of automotive engineering. I am eager to leverage a comprehensive engineering background gained through my years of study at Ontario Tech University to contribute to the development and advancement of the automotive industry. With a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Automotive Engineering, I possess a solid foundation in engineering principles and technical knowledge, combined with a genuine enthusiasm for innovative automotive technologies and sustainable solutions.

Throughout the years, I have acquired a broad knowledge base, encompassing automotive systems, design principles, materials science, and manufacturing processes. I have also developed a strong foundation in various engineering principles, including quality control, numerical analysis, analytical thinking, problem-solving techniques, and proficiency in multiple engineering tools and CAD software such as SolidWorks, Siemens NX, MATLAB, and AutoCAD. From my time studying, I have gained valuable experience in several engineering disciplines by applying theoretical knowledge to real-world projects and laboratories, collaborating within multidisciplinary teams to design and optimize automotive/mechanical components and solve complex engineering problems.

Capstone Project: Active Carbon Fiber Drag Reduction System for 2017 Subaru WRX STI 

Our interdisciplinary Capstone team of automotive and mechanical engineers were tasked with transforming a 2017 Subaru WRX STI from a production-class vehicle into a high-performance Time-Attack machine, with a primary focus on achieving improved straight-line speed and cornering capabilities. The central challenge was to enhance the car's performance while minimizing costs, ensuring ease of operation, and maintaining the vehicle's aesthetics. An active dual-element rear spoiler system was designed and manufactured successfully, allowing the driver to “open” and “close” the active element in the system, promoting increased drag, stability, traction, and cornering capabilities when “closed”, and higher straight-line speeds when “open”.

Chassis Design for Weight Reduction and Enhanced Stiffness in a Mid-Sized Sedan 

This project focused on the innovative redesign of asymmetric cross-sections in structural beams of a medium-sized sedan’s chassis to achieve a dual objective: maximize stiffness while minimizing total vehicle weight. The objective was to redesign a chassis using Siemens NX to improve its overall strength and stiffness while also reducing total weight, by optimally selecting the available materials for individual structural beams of the chassis (steel, aluminum, magnesium), introducing asymmetric cross-sections for the beams, and enhancing structural performance by increased bending stiffness, stress reduction, and improved crashworthiness. After a thorough stress analysis and FEA of many redesigns, a final design was synthesized. This design combined the most effective changes, ensuring a balanced improvement in weight reduction, stiffness, and strength.

Mechatronics: Autonomous Lego EV3 Robot 

This project emphasized the realms of  automation and micro-controller programming. Using Lego Mindstorms EV3  and MATLAB/Simulink, we engineered an autonomous robot with the ability to autonomously navigate obstacle courses and intricate mazes devoid of  human intervention. The robot showcased its aptitude in identifying obstacles, walls, and light sources, autonomously determining the  optimal direction to maneuver, and successfully traversing the maze. This project demonstrated our prowess in mechatronics, automation, and  programming, while also bolstering our aptitude for effective teamwork and collaboration.

Conceptual Design of an Electronic Stability Control System for a Passenger Car 

The project's objective was to create a virtual  ESC system using carSIM, compliant with FMVSS-126 requirements, capable  of ensuring vehicle stability in challenging scenarios. This included  high-speed curved path negotiations with high lateral g forces, curved  path negotiations with a low road friction coefficient, and high-speed  obstacle avoidance maneuvers, all while allowing the vehicle to precisely follow the driver's commands without spinning out or drifting  off the road.