Genesis Seating Co-op Experience
Leif
Experience Information
Employer: Genesis Seating
Job Title: Engineering Intern
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Genesis Seating is a seating manufacturer that creates Howe, Herman Miller, Steelcase, and other companies' seating product line. We are the supplier of the final constructed chair that these companies then can sell. They come to us with a completely new chair line that we need to figure out how to manufacture or and existing line that they don't have to capacity for.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
I was responsible for designing continuous improvements. I designed, and constructed, many material presentation carts and racks for the work cell to use. Another large project I worked on was a quick lift table. Most pneumatic lift tables take many seconds to raise and lower. I had to design a lift table that could lift a chair in 3 or 4 seconds. I accomplished this by the use of an airbag jack that can inflate quickly with the right pressure of compressed air.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I learned design and problem-solving skills in the airbag lift table project. There were many hiccups and design flaws along the way, but these became easy to handle when solving one problem at a time. I also picked up many CAD and metal-working skills. For ever cart or rack I designed in SolidWorks I would be responsible for making it.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of working at Genesis Seating is the hands-on experience I get from making and building my own designs. I loved getting to go back in the shop and create my ideas.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
Working at Genesis Seating has made me want to pursue a more hands-on career. I would love to go down a career path that allows me to do both design work and crafting work.