Experience Matters - Grand Valley State University

Automation Engineering Co-op at Miller Knoll - EGR 490

Jonah
Major: Mechanical Engineering During my time as a co-op at Miller Knoll I have helped with many different projects on the manufacturing floor. I have helped with machine installation, created layouts in AutoCAD, worked with our operations, MES, controls, and quality teams in order to improve the efficiency of our processes.

Engineering Co-Op Rotation 3

Benjamin
Major: Mechanical Engineering This semester I worked in solidworks to design a couple different machines and redesign some parts of other machines. I worked on a machine that makes a headliner for a Honda vehicle, and a large machine that assembles air compressors. half of my day was taken up by solving complex design issues and half was doing tedious "paperwork" style tasks.

Summer 2024 Internship

Nathaniel
Major: Mechanical Engineering I helped program and debug a machine that made coolant reservoir bottles.

S24 First Co-Op Rotation

jack
Major: Mechanical Engineering During my first rotation, I mostly worked on making small additions to larger assemblies that the team has been working on for months. For example, if a change or modification is requested for an existing station on the floor, I would be tasked with designing and releasing my assembly.

Magna Mirros Co-Op

Ammar
Major: Mechanical Engineering During the Co-Op at Magna Mirrors Engineering Center, I engaged in a variety of tasks and projects that spanned testing, machining, design, and collaboration. I conducted several tests to ensure product reliability and usability, including temperature, vibration, dust, and impact tests. I gained hands-on experience with machining and assembling components, working with CNC technology, and creating prototypes. My design work included developing models and proposals for custom fixtures and enclosures. Additionally, I finalized technical reports, created documentation to assist future interns, and collaborated with different departments to design and test parts for various projects.

First rotation summer 2024 Co-op

Stefan
Major: Mechanical Engineering As a mechanical engineer in the inside mirrors division, I was tasked with finding solutions to problems or assignments given to me by other engineers. These assignments often consisted of designing/building parts that aid in different methods of testing mirrors, testing the functionality/durability of inside mirrors, and collaborating with team members on enhancing my skills and knowledge as an engineering student.

Winter 2024 Aspen

Josh
Major: Mechanical Engineering I was (am) responsible for various manufacturing machines and processes. I am responsible for 3D scanning, scan to CAD software, 3D scanning inspection/validation software, CNC programing software, CAD modeling software and 2D vision inspection systems.

Second Co-op Rotation

Dante
Major: Mechanical Engineering Small-scale production while investing in the improvement and changes in the production process while helping in the applications and quoting areas as well.

SoundOff Signal Winter ý24 Co-op

Jacob
Major: Mechanical Engineering Documentation, including project requirements documents, certification documents, and DFMEA. Continued to build experience with mechanical design and development validation testing. Worked with external suppliers and dealerships. Introduced to injection molded parts.

Second Co-Op Rotation at JR Automation

Nicholas
Major: Mechanical Engineering During my second rotation at JR Automation, my primary activities included designing assemblies to be built for custom automation applications, creating drawing packages, and assisting with in house projects as well as post-production modifications.

Magna Co-op 1st roataion

Daniel
Major: Mechanical Engineering 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.

EGR 390 - 2nd Co-op Rotation - Mechanical Design Intern

Kaylor
Major: Mechanical Engineering As an intern with little experience in the industry, I mostly do existing drawings based on "as-built" prints whenever possible. However I also have done load calculations for buildings, HVAC piping design, domestic plumbing design, demolition design, and some sheet metal design as well. I have also looked through specifications and cut sheets to calculate which mechanical equipment would be the best performance, as well as efficiency calculations based on utility bills for certain buildings. Every week I find myself doing something new for different projects based on what work needs to be done and who needs help at that time.

Manufacturing Engineer Intern

Ryan
Major: Mechanical Engineering I have made multiple logs which help to monitor shop floor equipment. I created a powder coat recipe book to inform new operators of the proper settings to utilize depending on the parts painted. I have designed and quoted out multiple material transfer carts. I have designed and fabricated new CNC tapping tables. As well as the design, project organization, and fabrication of new window assembly tables.

Genie in a Bottle

Josh
Major: Mechanical Engineering Through this semester, I was tasked with the responsibility for several work centers and the capital equipment within these work centers used for production. These work centers included filling, assembly, pick and place applications, automated die punching, packaging, printing, bagging and inspection. Additionally, I was one of the CAD, 3D scanning, CNC programming and fabrication subject matter experts.

SoundOff Signal - Co-op II

Marcus
Major: Mechanical Engineering Over the semester I was tasked with 60% of my work being focused on a few larger projects, and 40% of my work being non-project work. The larger projects focused on product development, fixing recurring problems found in the field, updating products to match new and upcoming vehicle refreshes, and even working with other companies to develop new and innovative designs for future products. The smaller non-project work was focused on helping out other engineers and supporting them on their projects. I did a bunch of data collection, prototyping and building, running "errands'' to different outsourcing companies, and other supportive tasks. One of my larger projects was designing and building portable display boards for our Fire/EMS lighting. It was an incredible learning experience and I got to learn about our company's products, the design process, working with suppliers, working in a team, and seeing a project all the way through.

Second Rotation at RDI

Sean
Major: Mechanical Engineering A majority of my time was spent working on CAD files. I also cleaned and stored the casting tools after they were used, and I sent emails and filed paperwork for the engineering department. I also conducted some reverse-engineering on new parts that were transferred to the foundry.

Co-Op rotation 2

Benjamin
Major: Mechanical Engineering I was asked to program and integrate many different types of equipment such as robots, conveyors, motors, sensors, etc. and program a PLC to allow the machine to function as intended.

Co-op Rotation 3

Grant
Major: Mechanical Engineering I worked as a floor engineer for all 3 rotations. While assemblers would run into issues assembling facilities on the floor, I would meet with them to discuss and observe the issue firsthand. I would then consult with an appropriate project engineer regarding a potential solution and move forward from there. My job was to repeat this process for any assembly issues throughout the workday.

Tommy Car Wash Systems Product Engineering Co-op

Grant
Major: Mechanical Engineering For my first two rotations here at Tommy's, I worked in the product engineering department which focuses on updating and creating manufacturing prints for the major assemblies. This semester I worked with the research and development team. I have helped out in many ways but spent the majority of this last rotation working on designing and creating a manufacturing fixture for our water softener system. This will allow for much simple production and less mistakes.

Mechanical Engineering third co-op rotation at Irwin Seating Company

Ben
Major: Mechanical Engineering Around 90% of my time was dedicated to helping the development of a new recliner. (see attached picture) I did a lot of CAD modeling for this project as well as being involved in the discussion and decisions on various design choices. The other 10% of my time was dedicated to a mix of helping problem solve other upcoming products, miscellaneous tasks, and upkeep of the engineering space.

Trane Technologies Co-op - Rotation 3

Skyler
Major: Mechanical Engineering During the third rotation, I was responsible for updating work standard documents for the production floor. I also was responsible for hosting a weekly quality log meeting in efforts to learn from engineering mistakes. Lastly, I worked through an A3 project in efforts to reduce warranty spendings caused by engineering.

Final Co-Op

Trevor
Major: Mechanical Engineering I worked as a general manufacturing engineer interning. I supported a assembly and a fabrication area. I implemented various improvements to increase ergonomics and the production of the assembly line. I worked on new improved fixtures for products. I also worked on general improvements for the line.

Final Rotation of Co-op at Panduit

Nicholas
Major: Mechanical Engineering My primary project was to organize a team of engineers and lead meetings to develop a new product. The solution I was involved in will extend Panduit's current offering of cable cleats, which is a product that secures cables in the case of a short circuit event, or disaster. I was mainly involved in the brainstorming and iteration phase of the project, where I created concepts based on feedback and constraints, and assisted in financial estimations and planning for the project. Additionally, I assisted in 3D CAD modeling our other products based on engineering drawings, updated documentation, and managed a full testing and comparison of metal locking cable ties and strapping products.

IPM Co-Op Third Rotation

Kyle
Major: Mechanical Engineering As a mechanical engineering co-op, I worked with the mechanical engineering department to design conveyor for multiple customers. I have worked with tabletop, mattop, MDR, and pallet conveyor during my time at IPM. Typical project procedure involves receiving the conveyor layout, calculating values to test for any difficulties, create 3D models of the conveyor, compile BOM's for purchasing, and sometimes find vendors to supply parts. Modifying parts and trouble-shooting conveyor once it is built to correct for errors is also part of the experience.

JR Automation Co-Op Experience

Samuel
Major: Mechanical Engineering During my time as an AE, my main focus during training was learning how to quote an automation project (it always costs far more than what you think it will). Within this field, I also worked on concepting of these projects, as well as virtual simulation of potential designs. As an ME, my main focus during training was to learn how to refine the initial designs of the AE's in order to make consistent, safe, and reliable piece of automation. Various smaller tasks include, but are not limited to: creating/checking prints/details, product design, machining, etc.