Controls Engineering Co-op at
Kyler
Experience Information
Employer: ArtiFlex Manufacturing
Job Title: Controls Engineering Co-op Student
Major: Electrical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
AutoMatrix ý a division of ArtiFlex is an industry-leading automation company that specializes in engineering, robotics, fabrication, assembly and installation. It offers state-of-the-art problem solving and provides solutions to different manufacturing processes. A company will look to AutoMatrix if it is looking to automate a certain process or increase the overall efficiency of production. Currently, AutoMatrix employs around 40 employees and is continuing to grow each year.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
My day-to-day tasks consisted of hardware and software design for various machines. Projects that I was involved with included a laser marking machine, a pin-stamping poka-yoke machine, robot end-of-arm-tooling configuration, and a rod crimping machine to name a few. I worked on PLC programs, electrical schematic drawings, and also completed standard documentation for all of the machines along with research and development for upcoming projects.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
With this being my third and final co-op rotation at the same company, all of the tasks I was asked to complete came at a much faster pace. The expectations were much higher and I was treated like a full-time employee. The knowledge gained from my experience will continue to help shape the way I learn both on the job, and in the classroom.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of my co-op experience was working through the entire electrical design and implementation process. The projects that begin by going through the expectations with the customer, meeting with mechanical design team, moving forward with the electrical design process, wiring and powering up the machine, programming the machine, and ending the process with installing the machine at the customer's facility are the best ones to complete. The entire co-op experience as a whole was a great way to get real-world familiarity and create opportunities with an engineering company for future involvement.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This experience has given me a brief glimpse of what the expectations are for this industry and what it takes to be a practicing controls engineer. I feel as though I have only scratched the surface of what this field has to offer. This industry is always changing which means that I will continue to learn something new every day and will always be adapting.