Second Co-op at Shape Corporation as a CAE Intern
Tyler
Experience Information
Employer: Shape Corp.
Job Title: CAE Intern
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Shape Corporation primarily manufactures bumper systems for automobiles. Shape has plants located worldwide, several of which are included in Grand Haven, Michigan. Shape develops advanced roll formed solutions and injection molding solutions for components used in different fields which includes automotive and furniture industries.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
Over the semester I conducted several simulations of various tests that Shape Corporation performs on their products to verify their designs meet specific standards as an intern on the Computer Aided Engineering Team. I assisted my co-workers with projects and had my own set of projects. Some of my projects included conducting studies on a single design to determine and optimize the best design for the application, working on correlation studies to match simulations with physical studies to improve FEA modeling practices, and characterizing materials for use with FEA software.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I have gained a better understanding of FEA software, such as how to setup models starting with CAD data from Shape's business units, debug the models I set up where necessary, interpret the results of the simulation, and then how to improve the correlation between simulations and physical results. Being a very introverted person I have improved my communication skills by working on projects that required me to discuss certain aspects of that project with co-workers in other departments, and by presenting the results of some of my work to members within my own department.
Favorite Part of the Experience
I have enjoyed my experience again at Shape Corporation and if I had to choose something as my favorite part of this experience it would have to be working in an environment where CAE, testing, and prototyping departments are in the same building. I was able to watch the physical tests of the same simulations I conducted on a daily basis. When I worked on characterizing materials for simulations I could have the prototyping department prepare material samples for testing, watch the testing department conduct tests on the samples and then run my own simulations to verify I that I properly characterized a material from the testing results.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
Finite Element Analysis was always a subject I had found interesting and finally having the opportunity to work with FEA software in a professional environment on several different projects has shown me that I would like to continue working with this software in my career.