Quality Engineering in Sheet Metal
Kyle
Experience Information
Employer: DeWys Manufacturing
Job Title: Quality Technician
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
DeWys Manufacturing is a one-stop-job-shop specializing in sheet metal. They have a large facility with separate companies within that perform cutting, machining, forming, fastener insertion, welding, painting/coating, and assembly operations. That level of integration allows for products to be made efficiently, inexpensively, and quickly. The business is family owned and there is a small business feel incorporated into the major operation.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
I worked in the quality department. On a day to day basis I aided in the high-detail inspection of products going through the shop. But all the time I was there I also had a major project going on in the background. I started off working on measuring and quantifying defective rates on DeWys' most difficult products, throughout production. This allowed me to gain in-depth insight into the processes and gain a significant knowledge about working with sheet metal. Then I took on a job researching new ways for our paint-line to mask their products. I was able to work with the upper management and eventually present my findings and recommendations to the leadership. Finally I researched lighting solutions in the shop. I worked with vendors, team leaders, and our management to present a final recommendation on what type of system should be installed.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I worked with operators, team leaders, managers, and executive management. I learned how to gain knowledge by watching and helping the operators that are working on the machine, by seeing what they see and doing what they do. I also got to sharpen my presenting skills, as presenting to the owners of a company can be quite intimidating. There is so much more though that cannot be put down on this page due to the enormity of the knowledge. Learning how to work with sheet metal takes many years, and I feel that I learned a great deal from my coworkers and superiors.
Favorite Part of the Experience
Getting to know my colleagues and managers as friends and as professionals, and really utilizing those relationships to gain as much experience as I could. DeWys is full of great people who want to better the company as well as the people who work for it.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
I believe that the learning experience that I was given at DeWys has solidified my desire for two things: 1) I am going to pursue a graduate degree. The more knowledge going into a new environment really helps when learning a new industry. 2) I will pursue avenues to own my own company someday.