DAYTON — Seven Cedarville University mechanical engineering students have a big senior project on their hands: develop devices that quadruple the output of a Dayton dog biscuit business that employs developmentally disabled workers.

But in trying to make the business profitable and more efficient, the students must make sure about 100 of MONCO Enterprises’ developmentally disabled clients can continue to contribute their manual labor to making the biscuits. That work, observers said, does wonders for clients’ sense of self-worth.

“They feel like they’re helping others and they’re helping themselves,” said Casey Hinzman, 21, of Massillon, one of the engineering students. “They’re not completely dependent on others.”

The students’ goal is to improve work flow, as well as processes used in cutting, bagging and packaging the treats, sold under the brand “Pets & People” in retail settings such as Dorothy Lane Market, Cub Foods and local IGAs.

Andrew Hood, 21, a Cedarville student from Winona Lake, Ind., said developing devices capable of properly handling the dough, which contains no eggs, is one big challenge.

The business, most of which is carried out at 2122 Jergens Road, produces 180 to 270 bags of dog biscuits a day, creating revenue of at least $50,000 annually, said Phil Hartje, MONCO general manager.

The three-year collaboration between county-funded MONCO and the Innovation Center to develop “assistive technologies” is meant to make the developmentally disabled more employable, especially as many traditional jobs in the workplace have vanished or require skills not all clients have, said Linda Cudd, director of adult services, county Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Some fast-food restaurants, for example, now want workers who not only clean off tables, but also can do dishes and operate deep fryers. And greeters at large retail stores are now expected to stock shelves and perform other duties, Cudd said. So “we’re making our own work.”

MONCO and Kettering Health Network’s The Innovation Center are both financing the “assistive technologies” initiative. MONCO has committed $100,000 in the next three years, while the Innovation Center has provided a $33,000 grant and likely will provide similar amounts during the next two years, said Suzanne Coleman, the Innovation Center’s director.

That would bring total financial support for the project to $200,000 in three years.

The Innovation Center sees potential health care applications for the assistive devices, Coleman said.

The Innovation Center, which focuses on research and incorporates innovative ideas that have applications in clinical settings, intends to find ways to use the student-developed devices to help stroke victims who temporarily lose mobility or dexterity regain those skills at home, hopefully beginning in 2011.

Both Kettering and Cedarville are faith-based, making the arrangement a good fit, Coleman said.

“They love that they can have their clients be part of the solution for our patients in developing these assistive technologies,” Coleman said.

Those interested in distributing or retailing the product may call MONCO at (937) 461-0034.