Internship
Kyle
Experience Information
Employer: JR Automation
Job Title: Mechanical Engineer Intern
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
JR Automation is a quickly growing company with a few buildings around the Holland area as well as a few others throughout Michigan and the United States. There are over 750 employees at JR Automation split up over each business unit. Each business unit acts as its own company in a way that all the resources needed to make the machines can be found at each location. However the human resources is at its own separate building in Holland.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
While I was interning as a Mechanical Engineer at JR Automation my assigned tasks were to detail and design checking drawing packages. Detailing involves going through an assembly and creating drawing sheets for each part that is located in that assembly. Design checking drawing sheets is where an engineer goes through a drawing sheet that has been detailed by another mechanical engineer and checks the detailing as well as the overall design of the assembly. I was lucky enough to be able to do some designing in my first coop at JR Automation. I was able to design different aspects to the machines that were being built in my business unit and was the thing I liked the most about my first coop.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
The mechanical engineers at JR Automation use the Creo CAD program mainly for their design work. Throughout my first few weeks I learned a lot about how to use the program effectively. I also learned more about the CAD program Solidworks, which is the program used in the engineering school at Grand Valley. Through the design work that I did, I learned the importance of different features such as dowel holes and tolerances. My co-workers also taught me when to use certain materials depending on the situation. The entire process of the initial design of a machine all the way until it is built and operational is complex. I learned about this process as well and the steps that I would mainly be involved in as a mechanical engineer.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of my co-op experience was the design work that I was able to do. My mentors were kind enough to give me some challenging work and it was through this work that I was able to learn the most. The feeling of being able to design something and see it be built and used on the machines at JR Automation is very rewarding as there is definitively a since of accomplishment.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This first co-op went so well for me that I really did know for certain that a mechanical engineer is what I want to be my career. Also, being around my coworkers has influenced me in wanting to one day be as successful and knowledgeable as them. JR Automation's co-op program is a great experience and anyone who wants to be involved with automation should check out what this company has to offer.