Cascade Engineering Co-op II
Sara
Experience Information
Employer: Cascade Engineering
Job Title: Intern
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Cascade Engineering is a plastic injection molding company. I work in the CFI department (center for innovation), and there are approximately 20-25 people who work in this department. We have five main factories, one building designated as a workshop/repair shop, and one building for all of our finance/human resources personnel/etc for a total of seven main buildings. We manufacture many different things from car parts to trash containers to furniture parts.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
I worked with a prototype technician and together we assembled over 500 dashmat prototype parts. This involved some manipulation of plastic injection molded dashmats and assembly of the parts with fiber pads. I also performed a more thorough study and analysis on my dead pedal weight reduction project from the previous co-op semester. Finally, I was involved in the acoustical testing of various fiber pads and the development of a new dashmat we plan to pitch to a potential client.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I learned how to use a sonic welder, and I also learned how to do plastic welding. From a business relations standpoint, I learned how suppliers, our company, and our customers all work together.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this co-op experience in particular was building the business connections. I grew closer to my colleagues and developed an understanding of how the different departments work together from project managers, to our packaging engineer, to our prototype technicians.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This co-op has enhanced my feelings of wanting to obtain a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering a pursue a career here at Cascade Engineering.