Landscape Forms Co-op Experience
Shane
Experience Information
Employer: Landscape Forms
Job Title: Manufacturing Engineering Intern
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Landscape Forms is the industry leader in integrated solutions of high-design site furniture and advanced LED lighting. For more than 45 years we have produced site furnishings that help designers and other clients achieve beautiful, functional environments that enhance the experience of outdoor space. Our secret is simple. Design, Culture and Craft drive everything we do.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
For my co-op, I worked on updating work instructions for lines of product that were changed in any way. This included but was not limited to a fixture change or update, and update to hardware or an update to components. Also, I was able to do time studies of products to determine the correct time to allow to build each product. Finally, I worked with manufacturing and the shop floor to design and implement new fixtures
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I gained many skills throughout this co-op. I was able to learn the correct tolerances for designing a fixture to fit the tolerance that the components that made up the product were manufactured to. Also, I was able to work with the tool room, directly, to learn the processes to make a fixture that would not only be easy to produce but effective on the shop floor.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this co-op experience is being able to take a fixture for a product that doesn't work and redesign it to help make the final product better. I liked seeing a project go from concept to reality. The first fixture I worked on (pictured) was to locate a pop-up rod for the lid to a litter. I really enjoyed working with the cell to develop something that would be functional but also still hold the tolerances needed.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
I started off this semester not knowing if I would like manufacturing as much as I like the customs department that I worked with last semester of co-op. Throughout the semester I learned that I like the ever changing tasks that are present for a manufacturing engineer.