Co-op Student at RDI - Semester 1
Andrew
Experience Information
Employer: Ravenna Ductile Iron (RDI)
Job Title: Process Engineer Co-op Student
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
RDI (Ravenna Ductile Iron) is a metal casting foundry that provides customers with the highest quality products and customer service while specializing in high volume ductile iron castings. A wide variety of castings are produced with a focus in the automotive industry including safety, hydraulic, rail, and small engine applications.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
The first half of each day began by cleaning, inspecting, and organizing the pattern plates that were recently ran. During this time, various other tasks could come up including shipping out or receiving patterns, stamping unmarked patterns, and watching a sample run for a modified or new pattern. The second half of each day usually consisted of various jobs on the CAD program Creo. I reverse engineered patterns on transfer tools and created new tools from scratch. Molten iron flowing through the created patterns was simulated in a program called Magma. These simulations were then used to make modifications to potential new patterns as well as improvements to existing tools.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I learned how to improve my professional relationship and communication skills. I also gained experience using Creo Parametric and how to interpret the results of Magma simulations. I even got some incite into my upcoming fluids class by learning how control flow rates of iron by manipulating areas of pattern gating.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this semester was getting to see principals learned in school used firsthand. An example was using fluids principals to hand calculate sizing of gating for new and existing patterns to improve the flow rates of molten iron.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This first semester reassured me that I am pursuing a degree that I can enjoy.
Internship Format
In Person