Great Experience
Alex
Experience Information
Employer: Knape & Vogt Manufacturing
Job Title: Product Engineering Intern
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
KV is a longstanding company that who's main business is the design and manufacturing of precision drawer slides for applications in every area from home drawers in the kitchen or bedroom to large business file cabinets to heavy tool box applications.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
Performed tests on current, competitor and prototype products to determine performance and analyzed the data to allow the engineering team to make informed decisions about what changes need to be made to make a product line better. Designed a self close and a push to open plastic module to fit inside the drawer slides that will one day be part of the KV product lineup.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
Gained the knowledge of what a true business environment is like and how to apply all the things i have learned in school in order to create something tangible. I gained the skills necessary for me to 3D model a every aspect of a product and understand what it takes to actually manufacture that product because all the machines to make it were in house and i was able to see how each one worked and be able to design accordingly.
Favorite Part of the Experience
Being able to follow every part of the design process through one company. From research to design to prototypes to testing to manufacturing.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
It has strengthened my interest in being a product design engineer and i know that this career path is definitely the right one for me.