Maker Monday Spotlight - Daniel Rutkowski

Daniel Rutkowski is a senior Industrial and Robotics Engineering student and a Senior Makerspace Lab Technician at Gannon University. He has been involved with the MakerSpace since its establishment, contributing his technical expertise and passion for manufacturing, robotics, and fabrication.

Over his journey at Gannon, Daniel has developed extensive expertise in Additive Manufacturing, supported by ten years of prior 3D printing experience. Among all the MakerSpace’s additive equipment, his favorite is the SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) printer, which he values for its ability to create complex geometries without the constraints of traditional manufacturing.

Daniel successfully secured a $10,000 grant from NHRL to launch Gannon's combat robotics program. He has made extensive use of the MakerSpace’s fabrication equipment to develop a combat robot. Another favorite piece of equipment is the MakerSpace’s waterjet cutter, which he has used for projects such as cutting carbon fiber plates and polycarbonate wheels for his team’s robot. The versatility of the waterjet across different materials and thicknesses makes it an invaluable tool for the precision fabrication demanded in the MakerSpace.

During his summers at Gannon, Daniel contributed to several projects. He helped run the Understanding Manufacturing and Technology camp, introducing high school students to 3D printing and manufacturing equipment. He also assisted in expanding the Mini 3D Print Farm and played a key role in developing the MakerSpace’s production-level 3D print farm, where he helped design and implement its first production runs.

Daniel’s Industrial and Robotics Engineering coursework has further enabled him to optimize the MakerSpace’s processes and equipment. This blend of academic knowledge and hands-on experience culminates in his senior design project, where his team is automating a production system using a 6-DOF collaborative robotic arm. Beyond campus, he has gained additional manufacturing experience as an Engineering Intern at ISM and as a Private Contractor for EPA Machining, complementing his MakerSpace expertise with industry insights. Daniel plans to leverage the wealth of knowledge and experience he has gained at Gannon and beyond to make a meaningful, positive impact on the world through engineering.