Third Co-op Rotation as an Engineering Intern at Viking Products, Inc.
Cebrina
Experience Information
Employer: Viking Products, Inc.
Job Title: Co-op Engineering Intern
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Viking Products specializes in solution-oriented products and services that help improve the quality and performance of customers' mechanical parts, providing design assistance for new parts based on custom requirements for performance. Viking Products, Inc. was established in West Michigan with other sub-locations in China, Taiwan, South Korea, Mexico, and Canada.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
As a third rotation co-op engineering intern, I helped a lot with prototyping and aided in preparing parts for production. This involved physical testing and dimensioning of the parts to analyze the performance of the parts in their initial phases, part inspections, standard documentation, and working with overseas suppliers in charge of the manufacturing of the parts to assure the processing of the parts. I wrote work instructions, put together PPAPs, and worked heavily with CAD drawings and modeling. I also worked with customer quotes, making preliminary drawings and performing drawing comparisons to analyze customer requirement specifics and part revisions. As interns, we also work with shipping, pick up and deliver parts, and help the warehouse team with inspection and sorting of parts as they come in and get prepared for shipping.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I gained experience working with the SolidWorks CAD software, developed my communication and networking skills as I worked with overseas suppliers and the project engineers, gained experience in machining and testing equipment such as Instron tensile testers, hardness testers, Keyence profile projector, wet saw, bandsaw, polisher, and more. I've also learned how to interpret engineering drawings and recognize design specifics, specifications, standards, and gained understanding of manufacturing processes.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this experience was being able to connect with professionals of my field and work closely with them on their products. It introduced me to the world of the engineering workplace, and the senior engineers shard their knowledge and expertise with me as we discussed and worked on projects.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
It's given me a significant foundation for my emphasis of my engineering major. I'm a mechanical emphasis biomedical engineer, and working for Viking Products showed me the type of mindset and experience I need to solve problems in my field as an engineering professional.
Internship Format
In Person