Name: Eric Lutz

Birthplace: Muskegon, MI

Major: Electrical Engineering

Student Classification: Sophomore

Name and location of company where you are on co-op: Shape Corporation in Grand Rapids, MI

Job duties: I am part of the electrical group that supports rolling mills, robotic weld cells, and injection molding machines for making primarily automotive parts. I work with some very advanced rolling mills which involve large tonnage pre-pierce presses, vision system part verification, in-line joining processes with rotary spot welders, high frequency induction welders, or laser welders, one-, two-, and three-dimensional sweeps, and high speed cutoff units. The robotic weld cells usually have 4 Fanuc welding robots for welding steel/aluminum crush cans or secondary parts to bumper beams. I draft electrical schematics and program GE PLCs in ladder logic that allow these machines run. I support machines running production and work on continuous improvements and corrective actions to help with quality and safety measures. It's never a slow day at a tier one automotive supplier. 

Why did you want to do this co-op/What do you hope to gain from the experience? This is my second rotation at Shape Corp. This rotation I wanted to be more involved in the every day support of machines and being able to work on new systems. I wanted to become more familiar with Delta PLCs that are used in most high speed cutoffs. I also wanted to work more with feeders; machines that feed steel at high speed and accuracy for the pre-pierce press. I mostly just want to become more familiar with every system we use at Shape to be a more valuable employee in the future. 

What are your ultimate career goals? I want to stay employed at Shape after graduation. I grew up in the area and it is a great place to live and work. I really love my job and what I do every day, and I can see myself doing it for many years to come. 

 

Check out more ECE co-op and internship spotlights here.