Engine Research Design and Development
Grant
Experience Information
Employer: Baker Engineering
Job Title: Engineering Intern
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
I spent my summer working at Baker Engineering in Nunica, MI. Baker is a small engineering and engine development company with only 15 employees. One part of the company is dedicated to manufacturing. We have HASS CNC machines for milling and lathe operations as well as 5 axis screw machines. The manufacturing supports engineering by making parts needed for development while also producing parts for outside customers such as Striker and Anderson Global. Baker also builds and tunes high performance street and track engines. We have two chassis dynamometers and four engine dynamometers. We build everything form 3,000 horsepower Pro Mod engines to tuning street cars. The third component of the company is engineering for military engine projects through SBIR contracts. BEI works with AFRL (Airforce Research Laboratory), the ARMY, & SOCOM primarily on small engine development. We develop engines with configurations such as rotary, inwardly opposed piston engine, two stroke, four stroke, compression and spark ignition.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
My tasks for this semester included preparing a test cart that would hold a small 28cc two stroke engine. The engine is used in the ScanEagle UAV and is being researched to increase durability and performance through advanced materials. I oversaw building a test rig that was able to control the throttle remotely and send back all necessary data to be recorded and analyzed later. I also worked on developing a combustor for a Turbo Test Rig that would be able to map a range of small turbocharger compressors and turbines. I designed the combustor along with multiple other components and then redesigned the layout of the cart. My work began with research, then design, conducted design reviews, developed detailed drawings, sourced hardware, ordered raw material, developed travelers for component manufacturing, inspected finished components, and conducted final assembly. I designed the parts and produced prints in Creo that were used in manufacturing.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I gained skills in developing parts and assemblies that could be manufactured and work as intended. Building the combustor taught me a lot on the importance of thoughtful design. Design reviews with other engineers found problems that I did not see. Overseeing production and assembly showed me ways that it could have been designed better from the start. The ScanEagle project taught me how to work National Instruments Data Acquisition software. I also strengthened my skills in coding and electronic circuit design while building the supporting systems for data acquisition.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of my engineering experience at Baker was working with a product I enjoy. I am a gear head who work on cars and small engines in my free time. I can learn engineering skills for my future career while working with and running engines of all sizes. Also, having manufacturing abilities in house that can make almost any part that you can dream of is an engineers dream!
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
My co-op experience has confirmed that I must work with a product that I am passionate about. Even when I have to spend time doing tedious work I know it will be worth it in the end. I have also decided that I thoroughly enjoy research and design. I am very excited to get involved in the other aspects of the company in my next co-op rotations.