Magna Co-op 1st roataion
Daniel
Experience Information
Employer: Magna Mirrors
Job Title: mechanical engineer intern
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Magna Mirrors is a large company with plants worldwide and over 150,000 employees, they are responsible for producing mirrors for motor vehicles like cars and motorcycles along with various other things, but the Holland plant mostly focuses on the mirrors and what is directly attached to them.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
At Magna, I performed a variety of tasks, these tasks usually included: taking measurements for mirrors and mirror components, building mirror subassemblies, measuring components to ensure everything was within tolerance, and cleaning mirrors. Aside from these more common tasks, I have participated in various small projects like performing gauge R&Rs on various tools we have at the plant, I have also utilized a thermal chamber to see if the mirrors color and bleach at acceptable speeds at extreme temperatures like 50 C or -30 C. I have also operated an Instron machine to perform some tests, like what the pull-off force for the wires is when connected to the solder of mirrors, another test I did was finding what force it takes to have a mirror pop off its mount, and if that force is within its target area.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
During my three months, I learned the process that the glass undergoes to become the mirrors we use in our vehicles. I also began to learn what an engineer usually does during their day, from attending meetings to testing parts to filling out paperwork. I also learned how to check glass for various imperfections to determine if the part is good enough to be sold to a customer. Imperfections like double image, scratches, edge chips, bright spots, the presence of trapped foreign bodies between the glass plates, and the tolerances of them at Magna.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this co-op experience was seeing practical applications of some of the material that is taught in our classes. It is one thing to hear that an Instron is used to perform pull/push tests on parts and materials, it is something else to be the person performing the test on a part that is designed to fail at a certain point to ensure that it does indeed fail where it should. If I had to pick a second favorite part, it would probably be that the team here brings in doughnuts for everyone whenever it is their birthday.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This experience hasn't heavily influenced my career goals as my long-term goals for my career are nonspecific at best. Though my time here has given me a minor incentive not to work with mirrors my whole life. They scratch so easily and have a higher defect rate than most other products out there due to the high cosmetic standards set upon the glass by people, and how easily a good part can turn into a bad part by simply bumping it wrong.
Internship Format
In Person