First Rotation at JR Automation
Gage
Experience Information
Employer: JR Automation
Job Title: Controls Engineering Co-Op
Major: Computer Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
JR Automation has recently become a much larger company than what it used to be, even just a few years ago. JR Automation is a global operation and owned by a parent company, Hitachi Global. JR Automation is set up in such a way that although it has grown quite large, the small business culture it started with is still around. In Holland there are a few business units that each specialize in different projects or technology. My business unit specifically was BU12, I saw a wide range of lines and projects start and stop in my first three months here. I worked with a group of about 4 other controls engineers, although I met a few more than that and spoke to them daily. Everyone was very fun and pleasant to be around and although everyone is fairly busy, I never struggled to find something or someone who could help point me in the right direction.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
Some of the tasks I completed in my first rotation, without specifics because I am not at liberty to discuss details, were basic HMI (Human-Machine Interface) programming and building, basic PLC programming, and AutoCAD Electrical work. A large part of my work for a long time was looking at former projects HMI and PLC code and identifying the basic structure and applying it to a new project the business unit had received for design. I have found being at JR that they gave me as much time as I needed to get all my questions answered and start understanding what I was looking at and how it all worked. I found that if your eager to learn and it shows, you will do very well here.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
For this first rotation I learned how to use AutoCAD Electrical for schematic design of electrical and fluid power controls. I learned how to program, flash, and utilize Allen Bradley PLCs, I learned how valve stacks, turck blocks, and standard IO work and what they do. The HMI and PLC were my main small projects that I worked on (with quite a bit of help). I could not see the HMI and PLC work with the physical project because of the short time I was here to work on these things. Overall because I worked on a project that had not been fully built yet, I learned a great deal of the design process as a whole from start to finish.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of my first rotation here was how I could tell that my co-engineers trusted me with more responsibility as I proved that I work hard and can learn quickly. I felt nervous asking so many questions in the beginning but I was never shutdown for trying to learn as much as I could so I could do real work. I enjoyed how the atmosphere is laid back and not nearly as stressful or intense as school might tell you. It was always fun when JR provided us lunch or breakfast, a lot of times just to say they appreciate the work we do!
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
I had not fully thought of a career in controls engineering prior to my experience at JR. I did not fully understand what a controls engineer did. However, even after just 3 months, I have very much enjoyed my time here and plan on working just as hard for the next 2 rotations and academics to hopefully continue to work here after I graduate from GVSU.
Internship Format
In Person