Co-Op at Met-L-Flo
Ryan
Experience Information
Employer: Met-L-Flo
Job Title: Co-Op intern
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Met-L-Flo is a small additive manufacturing and consulting company that specializes in prototyping and low-volume production. A large majority of the parts made are urethane-cast parts, in addition to silicone casting, injection molding, and 3D printing. They work with many large, well-known companies.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
During my first semester of co-op at Met-L-Flo, I spent a significant amount of time on the production floor, gaining an understanding of the processes the company uses to manufacture parts. During my time on the production floor, I learned everything to do with casting. This included making the molds, cutting open the molds, casting the parts, finishing the cast parts, and finally shipping the parts out. In addition to working on the production floor, I also did some design work for both outside the company and internally. This was quite a challenge as the designs were left almost completely up to me with only a small amount of guidance. I think this challenge was good.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
Through this co-op, I gained practical skills in mold making, casting, and mechanical design, along with a better understanding of tolerances and part inspection. I also developed other skills like time management, teamwork, and independent problem-solving.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of the experience was learning how to open a mold by hand. It was a personal goal I set early on after watching the production manager do it. Being able to accomplish it myself felt like a major achievement. It also showed my growing confidence and ability to take on more complex tasks independently.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This co-op has shown me the value of hands-on engineering work and confirmed my interest in mechanical design. Itýs also made me realize how important attention to detail, precision, and continuous improvement are in real-world engineering. As a result, Iým more motivated to pursue roles where I can design, build, and refine mechanical systems.
Internship Format
In Person