Mechanical Design
Daniel
Experience Information
Employer: Gentex
Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Gentex Corporation is a supplier of automatic-dimming (auto-dimming) rear-view mirrors and camera-based lighting-assist features to the global automotive industry. The Company also provides commercial smoke alarms and signaling devices to the North American fire protection market, as well as dimmable aircraft windows for the commercial, business, and general aviation markets. The Company is involved in designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing interior and exterior auto-dimming automotive rear-view mirrors that utilize electrochromic technology to dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from trailing vehicle headlamps. The Company also manufactures non-automatic-dimming rear-view automotive mirrors with electronic features.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
Numerous MEA (Micro Electronics Assembly) projects designing assembly fixtures used for clamping onto casted/molded parts with complex geometry thus allowing operators to complete an assembly step. Designed a new upgraded Crowder apparatus on IEC strip cutter to accommodate a new (larger) sized glass blank while also being able to still run original sizes. Researched and determined best way to detect dots dripped from a pneumatic actuated dispenser and designed a setup to hold the sensors used. Designed/built new broken glass filter apparatus with auto adjusting and dump features to prevent broken glass at the end of our annealers from reaching the exit washer where they could cause damage. In charge of Vision Cell upgrade on Bender 6. Consisted of working with and ordering parts from multiple Bill of Materials. Tracking Progress, etc.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
Enhanced designing efficiency using CAD. Basic EPSON programming knowledge. Experience with Design Process (Multiple Concepts, design review meetings, decision matrices). Experience performing large orders (BOM work).
Favorite Part of the Experience
Assembling the parts to a machine That I designed and finally getting to see it working on the line as intended.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
Confirmed that I want to have a job which allows me to design machines/apparatuses to increase efficiency and/or perform challenging tasks.