Co-op Third Rotation
Grant
Experience Information
Employer: Baker Engineering
Job Title: Engineering Intern
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Baker Engineering is a small engineering company in Nunica, Michigan. The company has three divisions, custom engine building and performance, engine research and development and precision machining. The company has 17 employees with 4 engineers. The engineers are dedicated to research and development projects funded through private companies as well as government SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research) contracts. Research and development projects primary focus is on small (<20 HP) engines featuring technologies such as: direct injection, two stroke, forced induction, compression ignition, rotary (Wankel), advanced materials and energy recovery. The engine building and performance division develops street, track and drag engines from 300 HP to an all billet 3500 HP LS world record engine. The machining division supports internal research and development as well as production for outside customers. Machines include Swiss-style turning, 5 axis turning, 5 axis milling, grinding and honing.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
This semester at Baker Engineering I spent my time working on larger, independent projects that I was responsible for from design through to testing. The primary project I worked on was the modification of a hot water tank for the use in an advanced energy recovery system for an engine that we have developed and built in house. This system required extensive structural and layout design, with many design reviews to ensure the final design was as easy as possible to assemble and work on. Another significant project this semester was the design and assembly of a small engine electronic motoring dynamometer. This design presented challenges in both the layout of the system as well as creating a design that was easy to adjust and align the shafts, with minimal run-out on those shafts.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
This semester I gained significant knowledge in the drafting, assembly and troubleshooting side of engineering. My projects this semester allowed me to see the end effect that different designs and methods of assembly have on final critical clearances and tolerances. I also worked significantly with our fabricator on a structural design that required thinking of innovative ways to assemble the system so that components remained square and flat. I continued to work on skills that I had previously developed such as Creo modeling and drafting, data acquisition software and organized record keeping.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this co-op rotation was the construction of two systems that I was responsible for the design of. Having the experience of spending weeks designing something, and then being able to order components, assemble them and test them is very satisfying.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This semesters experience has reaffirmed my future career goal to end up in a research and development position. I look forward to continuing my search for a full time employer over the coming months.