ICS, First Co-op
Jaden
Experience Information
Employer: Integrated Circuit Systems, Inc. (ICS)
Job Title: Engineering Intern Student
Major: Computer Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
ICS is an industrial refrigeration control system integrator located in Cedar Springs, MI. The company has 15-20 employees including a President, a Vice President, a license engineer, an Application Engineer, an Office Administrator, a Field Superintendent, license electricians, control technicians, apprentices, full time and part time UL panel builders, seasonal workers and sub-contractors. ICS has been in business since September of 2000 working primarily in the food and beverage sector of the ammonia refrigeration industry. The company provides: 1) Custom built control panels in accordance to UL standards. 2) Refrigeration control systems in accordance to the traditional bid/spec process or design/build process. 3) Onsite standby generator power systems. 4) HVAC control systems. 5) Technical supports. 6) Onsite testing, commissioning and training. 7) Arc flash hazard analyses.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
The tasks assigned were programming in CODESYS and RSLogix software and using these to program PLCs for various projects throughout the US and Canada. I was also given a project to implement a QR code into one of their visualization solutions. Through this project I learned a great deal about Linux and the workings of the CODESYS program.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
Throughout this semester I learned logic based PLC programming with CODESYS and RSLogix software. These programs program Wago PLCs and Allen Bradley PLCs respectively. I have experience with HMI solutions such as InTouch, with which I learned how to design and implement screens that displayed current data from the Wago PLCs. Testing various PLCs was also part of the job. I was also sent to Plant City, FL for a week to assist on a project down there. I learned a great deal about Industrial Refrigeration.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part about the Co-op experience was being able to travel with the company. I assisted the Team Leader in project down in Plant City, Fl. During this trip I learned a great deal about Industrial Refrigeration and the work environment. I will be assisting the company in between semesters in Edmonton and Montreal for a couple more projects.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
Controls Engineering was never in my radar for a future career goal. From the brief experience in my co-op semester, I am beginning to contemplate working as a Controls Engineer. I enjoy the tasks and projects and believe that this type of engineering would fit in my career goals. I would recommend ICS to anyone looking in the Controls Engineering Sector.