Gaining Automation Experience
Matthew
Experience Information
Employer: JR Automation Technologies
Job Title: Controls Engineer Intern
Major: Electrical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
JR Automation Technologies is a company of about 850 employees based in the Holland, MI area. JR design and builds custom automated machines for many companies around the world in nearly every major industry such as automotive, medical, food and beverage, consumer goods, aerospace, construction, and many more.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
Throughout this second co-op rotation, I was tasked with many new responsibilities that I didn't get to do on my first rotation. These responsibilities included designing and implementing a Human Machine Interface (HMI), establishing communication to the machine's components via various communication protocols, setting up the machine's diagnostic settings, and programming the machine. I was also involved enough in a project to leave the plant and help out with the installation and debug process on the customer site.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I learned how to use many different programs and software that are needed to design and modify an HMI, set up communication with the machine, and program in "ladder logic". Another takeaway is that I learned much more about the automation industry's conventions and expectations.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this co-op rotation was being able to go on the road for a week and be a meaningful contribution to the install team. In general though, I would say my favorite part had to be learning to program an automated machine.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
In all honesty, even though the automation industry is very interesting and has a lot of opportunity, I don't see myself doing that for my whole career. With that said, through this experience, I have been exposed to what engineering is like in real life and the general corporate process. This experience has better revealed to me the kind of behavior and sentiment I would like to portray as I go out into my full time career