Controls Engineer - Automation
Joe
Experience Information
Employer: JR Automation
Job Title: Controls Engineer
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
JR Automation is a capital equipment designer, integrator, and manufacturer. The majority of JR's Business Units are located here in West Michigan. JR Automation currently employ's 850+ employees but is growing at a rapid pace.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
Initially I was placed on a newly developed training cart. It was recently built and ready for programming/debug. The first month of my co-op was spent debugging wiring diagrams, electrical/pneumatic issues, and developing code with another co-op student. It was very beneficial for me to see the overall aspect of the controls engineering position. Having this broad understanding of how projects were ran, I was able to move into a larger project with confidence. I was placed on a project, roughly a month into my co-op, with a more experienced controls engineer. I was initially given the task of developing a sensor list for the machine (500+ sensors in total), adding them into the electrical drawings, and submitting the order. Next, I was able to dive right into the programming portion of controls, setting up inputs and outputs. From there I developed and set up HMI screens for the 3 HMI's and 1 PC screen that were on the machine. This not only includes the initial layout/design but also linking each button to a PLC tag so when pressed, the correct signal was sent to the PLC. Lastly I created alarms and faults that would display on the HMI screens when an action wasn't performed correctly within the sequence. I was able to do just about everything an inexperienced controls engineer could do in his/her first few months of employment.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
Being a mechanical engineering student, I gained a lot of new experience being in a controls/electrical position. During these 4 month rotations, the vast amount of knowledge gained is hard to capture.
Favorite Part of the Experience
I enjoyed almost everything about my controls co-op. However, it was very rewarding to see servos and actuators move in the end. Seeing all of the work you put into a project pay off is pretty neat.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
Even if I don't end up in a controls position, it has broadened my understanding of automation. However, I do believe I would do well as a controls engineer, post graduation, and advance quickly. Either way, I do believe I will stay in automation in the near future so it has helped me become a more well-rounded individual.