M.E. Co-Op Experience with Team HS Die and Engineering Inc.
Steven
Experience Information
Employer: Team HS Die and Engineering Inc.
Job Title: Mechanical Engineering Design Co-Op
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Team HS Die & Engineering specializes in Injection Mold Design and Production, Molding Tryouts, as well as Automation and Robotics. The company has 300 employees spread out between three different plants around Grand Rapids.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
During this second Co-Op rotation, similar to previous rotations, I spent the majority of my time working as a mechanical engineering designer. I was responsible for designing automated machines and their respective components. The first half of the rotation I spent most of my hours designing components to solve the current problems we were experiencing while designing, building, and/or testing our automated machines. A problem would arise during the machine's designing, building, and/or testing phases so I would be assigned to fix the problem. While performing these tasks I was able to gain trust and responsibility from my supervisor and co-workers. Later in the semester, I was given my very own machine to design. I was able to go through the whole machine design process. I collaborated directly with the customer while designing the machine. I also continued to perform problem solving side projects while designing my own machine. In summary, I performed and learned a lot within the mechanical engineering design field. I spent 500+ hours using SolidWorks 2018 as well as 20+ hours of hands on building.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I gained communication and leadership skills while going back and forth with customers and by being responsible for various different projects. I gained professional level SolidWorks experience as well as multiple hours of hands on building skills. I have acquired a well rounded perspective of how the automation industry functions.
Favorite Part of the Experience
Using CAD software along with my own design creativity to design, develop, and build expensive custom complex automation tooling and machines.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This experience influenced my future career goals by opening my eyes to the various different fields or applications of mechanical engineering and how they all play into each other. It has motivated me to learn more about these different fields and how they influence the automation industry. My goal is to use my automation manufacturing knowledge to design and develop high quality, but easy and cheap to manufacture automotive parts and components automotive manufacturers.