Hello, I'm Evan Laschinger

Mechanical Engineering Student at Binghamton University

I am a mechanical engineering student with experience in CAD modeling, PCB and circuit design, soldering, 3D printing, and fabrication with both wood and metal. I have hands-on experience building functional prototypes with Ardiuno and ESP32 platforms.

About Me

Evan Laschinger

Hello! I'm Evan Laschinger, an engineer with a deep passion for design. Inspired by a family legacy and a fascination with creation, my engineering journey took root through early hands-on projects, including a wooden bike ramp, a DIY metal kiln, and custom computers. These builds sparked my lifelong drive to design and create.

When I'm not working, I enjoy lifting, skiing and playing volleyball.

Volleyball Skiing Volleyball

Portfolio

Click on a project to view details

Project 1

Blackjack

An Arduino-based Blackjack game with speakers and addressable LEDs

PCB Design Soldering Fusion C++ 3D Printing
Project 2

S.U.L. - Secure Under-Bed Lighting

A under-bed lighting solution with removalable magnetic lights and key switch

PCB Design Soldering Fusion C++ 3D Printing
Project 3

Blood Pressure Monitor Reverse Engineering

Reverse Engineering of a Blood Pressure Monitor

SOLIDWORKS SOLIDWORKS Visualize
Project 4

Fish tank Transport Device

A device for safely transporting fish with their tanks

Fusion

Let's Connect

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You can also connect with me on LinkedIn

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Blackjack

An Arduino based Blackjack game with speakers and addressable LEDs

About this project

Project Overview: This project served as my Engineering Design Division (EDD) capstone, where I led the modification of an Arduino-based text adventure game. My key technical contributions include:

  • Hardware Engineering: Designed the program's first-ever custom PCB using KiCad and created a blackjack-style enclosure, modeled in Fusion 360 and 3D printed.
  • Circuit Design: Engineered a custom Arduino Shield featuring an RC low-pass filter with a minimum cutoff frequency of 159 Hz to smooth PWM square waves and eliminate harsh harmonic noise. The design includes optimized power distribution to drive the LEDs, speaker, and screen while maintaining temperatures within safe limits.
  • Software Development: Led a complete overhaul of the source code in C++, rewriting the game engine from the ground up using a state machine. Integrated the FastLED library for LED lighting effects and music with gameplay, while retaining only the core button input logic.

The biggest challenge was learning to use KiCad to design an effective board layout without prior experience. I specifically focused on isolating the audio signal from the LED power traces to minimize noise. The budget was also a major constraint, given the extensive modifications required, including the arcade-style buttons, speaker, amplifier, larger screen, and LED strip.

Technologies Used

  • Fusion 360
  • KiCad PCB
  • 3D Printing
  • C++
  • Soldering
  • Arduino
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S.U.L. - Secure Under-Bed Lighting

A under-bed lighting solution with removable magnetic lights and key switch

About this project

Project Overview: This independent engineering project focused on designing and fabricating a custom lighting system for my dorm's lofted bed. I completed the PCB design, component soldering, enclosure fabrication, and final installation.

  • Hardware Engineering: The enclosure was modeled in CAD and 3D printed; I added a laser-cut acrylic window and heat-set inserts to create a housing that is both serviceable and durable. I also created a simple magnetic mounting system to ensure the bed would be undamaged by the LED strip. The mounting system also allows the strip to be reused.
  • Circuit Design: I adapted a multi-purpose PCB (I originally designed in KiCad for a Blackjack project) by adding a rotary encoder and switches. The power distribution was already robust and capable of driving the 345 LEDs. The system is powered by a 5A 5V barrel power supply.
  • Software Development: I developed firmware utilizing the FastLED library to manage lighting effects. Implemented logic where a "long press" on the rotary encoder shifts the system into a color temperature control mode, allowing for adjustment between warm and cool lighting temperatures.

Challenges & Constraints: The primary design constraints were physical footprint and cable management; the system needed to be easily accessible and mounted non-destructively while keeping wires hidden. A major technical hurdle was solving the voltage drop across the extended LED strip, which I successfully solved through wiring modifications.

Technologies Used

PCB Design Soldering Fusion C++ 3D Printing
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Reverse Engineering

Analysis and CAD reconstruction of a Blood Pressure Monitor.

About this project

Project Overview: Collaborated with a team of engineering students to perform a complete reverse engineering analysis of a commercial blood pressure monitor. The project included disassembly, component modeling, functional analysis, and identifying design improvements.

  • CAD Modeling: Measured and modeled 12 distinct components using SOLIDWORKS.
  • Simulation & Animation: Utilized SOLIDWORKS Visualize to create a 3D animation demonstrating the pressure measurement system.
  • Technical Report: Co-authored a 44-page engineering report detailing the system’s operation. The report concluded with a set of proposed design modifications to enhance the device.

Technologies Used

    SOLIDWORKS SOLIDWORKS Visualize

Reverse Engineering Report

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Fishtank Transport Device

A dolly-style system designed to safely move aquariums while keeping fish healthy during transport

Main

About this project

Project Problem: College students living in dorms are typically only allowed to keep fish as pets, but there's no practical way to bring a fish tank home for the holidays. No commercial product existed to transport fish tanks safely from indoors to outdoors to a car

  • Solution: A dolly-style transport device that works similarly to a hand truck — the fish tank is drained, strapped to the base, while the fish ride in a separate heated holding tank.
  • Operation: Operates with a single adult user and meets principles of Universal Design. Accommodates any off-the-shelf tank up to 10 gallons and folds flat for easy storage in a dorm room or car trunk.
  • Key design components:
    • Aluminum frame: Foldable and adjustable to fit various tank sizes with padded back brace to protect tank during transport
    • Heated holding tank: 1.5-gallon acrylic tank with a battery-powered heater, thermistor, LCD display, and pendulum mechanism to stay level on stairs
    • Stair-climber wheels: Triple-wheel rear casters made of solid rubber on stainless steel — rotate to climb steps and curbs without lifting
    • Adjustable handle: Hollow aluminum bar adjustable from 35 to 44 inches with knerled grip and two-button safety lock; folds inward for storage
    • Tank straps: Waterproof synthetic rubber ladder-lock straps — two over the top, one around the side with no tools needed to adjust
    • EPDM foam pad: 1/8-inch closed-cell foam base absorbs vibrations and grips the tank securing it

By the numbers

  • Total weight: 38.2 lbs
  • Push force on a ramp: 5.5 lbs
  • Battery life (extreme cold): 4+ hrs
  • Max tank size: 10 gal

Strengths & limitations

  • Strengths
    • Folds flat — no tools needed
    • Works on stairs and ramps
    • 10+ hour battery in normal tempatures
    • Fits through any standard door
    • Adapts to any tank up to 10 gal
  • Limitations
    • High upfront cost (~$140+ for holding tank alone)
    • Moisture risk near electronics
    • Draining the tank is extra work
    • Holding tank is relatively small (1.5 gal)

Fishtank Report

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