1st Co-op rotation at Gill Industries
Leif
Experience Information
Employer: Gill Industries
Job Title: Engineering Co-op
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Gill Industries began as a family owned and operated tool and die shop but has grown to become a global operation with facilities in several countries. Today, the company is still a private family-owned business with several children and grandchildren working at the company. Gill Industries is corporately located in Grand Rapids which is also home to three of its manufacturing plants. Gill specializes in seating and headrest assemblies for automobiles, metal stampings, and office furniture components.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
As a first rotation co-op at Gill, I had several different opportunities and responsibilities. With how Gill outlines their co-op experience, the first rotation is focused on exposing students to several different departments in order to understand every step of the manufacturing process from design to finished good. I began my semester working as a machine operator. Additionally, I developed operator work instructions and startup/shutdown instructions and posted them on new machines. In the manufacturing engineering department, I completed time studies on existing lines and came up with ways to improve efficiency and minimize unscheduled downtime.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
During my time at Gill, I learned several valuable skills critical to the engineering process. First, I familiarized myself with a CAD software I had never used before. I also learned how to design and print parts using a 3D printer. Throughout several different tests, I learned various testing methods for prototype products. At Gill's press facility, I learned the ins and outs of the stamping manufacturing process. Overall, I gained a lot of experience in a manufacturing environment and several different processes that occur day to day.
Favorite Part of the Experience
Hands down, my favorite part of the co-op experience was getting to see what a full-time engineer does every day. It was interesting to see how the knowledge learned in the classroom translates to the workplace.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This experience has affirmed my choice to study product design and manufacturing engineering. Being exposed to different engineering departments throughout the summer, my favorite to work in was the product engineering department. This semester directed me to pursue product design engineering moving forward.