Koops Controls Programming Co-op
Jacob
Experience Information
Employer: Koops Inc.
Job Title: Engineering Co-op (Third Rotation)
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Koop Incorporated is a custom automation company based in Holland, Michigan with a satellite location in South Carolina and an international location in Mexico. The company designs and builds custom machinery for a variety of industries, including the automotive, aerospace, medical, furniture, and defense industries. The company has approximately 200 employees total between all of its locations.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
During my co-op rotation as a member of the Koops controls programming team my primary responsibility was to program the custom automation equipment that the company produces. The main tasks associated with this were programming PLCs (programmable logic controllers) and the other devices that the PLC interacts with, such as industrial robots, dispensing systems, and vision systems. During the fall semester I had the opportunity to work on two main projects, one of which I was able to work on as the primary controls programmer.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I was able to develop a range of skills associated with the programming of custom automation equipment, including PLC programming, industrial robot programming, and program debugging.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this specific co-op rotation was developing the ability to write PLC programs and program industrial robots. My favorite part about my co-op experience at Koops overall was that I got to do the same type of work as the full-time engineers at Koops and had a similar level of responsibility as a new full-time engineering hire at the company, even during my first co-op rotation.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This co-op rotation has given me invaluable insight into the role of a controls engineer in the custom automation industry. From this experience I am better able to understand what a career as a controls engineer in the automation industry entails and what aspects of it I like and dislike, which will influence my future career decisions.