Controls Engineer
Nathan
Experience Information
Employer: Shape Corp
Job Title: Electrical Engineer
Major: Electrical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Shape corporation is a manufacturer of various parts. They specialize in a manufacturing process called roll forming where flat steel is ran between a series of rollers that each shape the steel a little at a time. The system is most commonly used to make bumpers that are then taken to a robotic welding cell and brackets are welded on.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
This semester I researched weld gas controllers and how we could communicate to a programmable logic controller when the weld gas controller faults. I also added a touch screen to interface with a plc on a massive hydraulic press that will change the shutoff point pressure. Other than those two projects I did a bit of print work and ordering parts.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
Programming ladder logic, real world technical writing, and project management.
Favorite Part of the Experience
Working with a cool group of guys. They made it easy to ask questions. I also liked that I had a chance to work on some pretty massive equipment.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
Since ladder logic is not taught to electrical engineers at grand valley, this experience has opened up a whole new field of possibilities for potential employment since machine controls is an ever growing field especially in western Michigan.