Gentex Co-op 1
Nate
Experience Information
Employer: Gentex Corporation
Job Title: Process Engineering Intern
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Gentex is a manufacturing company that produces automotive mirrors, aerospace products, and fire protection systems. They specialize in highly automated electronics, camera development and manufacturing, vacuum coatings, and glass bending and fabrication. They produce auto-dimming mirrors for most of the automotive industry. Gentex has about 5000 employees worldwide and about 3800 at headquarters in Zeeland, MI.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
As part of the process engineering team in final assembly, the group I was working with was responsible for designing and building the machines for the production line of the full display mirror. The projects that I worked on included adapter brackets and mounts for displays, bar code scanners and totes. I also hand built conveyors, and flow racks and made design changes to those as they were being built. One of my main projects was a laser distance sensor for a machine that was strategically placed to detect whether a LCD was placed flat within the machine's fixture. Most of my projects required design work with CAD and hands-on work with the machine in the tool room.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
From a technical standpoint, I increased my knowledge in CAD through all of the different components I designed. I also improved my problem solving skills and machine design skills while working with the engineers and technicians to design and build the machines. I also improved my time management and communications skills through managing my projects and updating my supervisor on the progress of my projects.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of being an intern at Gentex is working with a group of engineers that have many different engineering strengths and backgrounds. Many of the engineers that you work with have a background in either electrical, mechanical, computer, manufacturing or industrial engineering therefore you can learn a lot of different information.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
Before I came to Gentex, I had a rough idea of the type of engineering I was interested in. I knew I wanted to do something manufacturing. Now that I have had the experience here and have networked with some of the engineers, I have an interest in continuous improvement in manufacturing and also material flow and logistics.