Fun with Controls
Corey
Experience Information
Employer: Innotec
Job Title: Controls/Electrical Engineer
Major: Electrical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Innotec is a small / medium sized global company with its headquarters in Zeeland Michigan. Manufacture of multiple automotive products including overhead lighting, headlights, headrest, and its patented BoardFree lighting, along with other products. They also employ a "four men in a garage" concept for their individual production lines. This allows each employee to take ownership and improve how the products are manufactured.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
I was assigned to the headrest launch division where we assemble machines that bend and put notches in the metal headrest tubes. My major task for the winter included: Leading the controls portion of a machine, develop a PLC program for checking motor coasting conditions, take the leading role for a project which GVSU built the control panel and programmed the PLC. Saved the company money, by arranging meetings with salesmen and developed testing procedures for the different products they offered in order to find cheaper products that will produce good results.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
During the winter I gained further skills on programming and wiring PLC's using flow chart style computer software. I was challenged with saving the company $2000 during a 3 month period. Learned testing procedures to ensure new sensors were verified for running on production machines. Also troubleshooting techniques for PLC's, sensors and some industrial communication protocol / computer networking.
Favorite Part of the Experience
Waking up every morning and wanting to go to work because I enjoy the work I do and I have responsibilities that effect how the machines will operate; whether safely and efficiently or slow and problematic. Being part of a team that is working on a project that will be a 'Game Changer' for the Headrest division.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
I was able to get a firsthand look at what it takes to be an engineer; the knowledge, skills, commitment and ability to work with other types of engineer's to get the project complete on time. Getting hands-on experience in the work place was crucial in ensuring that this path I'm on will be a rewarding career for me.