Automated Data Collection
My second Co-op experience was at Senior Metal Bellows where I worked as an engineer on the Semiconductor team. We specialized in manufacturing high precision pneumatic actuators for application in the semiconductor fabrication industry. As a result, I became intimately familiar with the nuances of welding, assembling, and testing highly toleranced functional parts. Given the high reliability required for these parts, scrap and reworks are timely and expensive, driving the team to try and save money anywhere it was possible.
​
During my time at Senior Metal Bellows, part rejection data was logged in the PLM system but was never utilized because of the sheer mass of data that was produced on a regular basis. I developed an automated collection system that would comb through all part rejections, isolate the specific part of interest, categorize the failure into 1 of 7 distinct failure modes, and then graphically represent the data. Rejection data was plotted against annual performance in order to provide management with a snapshot of current reject information. By categorizing into specific failure modes, it allows for targeted changes to be implemented to reduce scrap. It also enables tracking the efficacy of those changes over time.
​
During this project, I learned how large amounts of data is difficult to work with and how without specifically tailored collection systems, the mass collection of data can do more harm than good.
​
​
​
The charts below displayed part rejections for specific failure modes and compared to the previous years performance.
​
GD&T Certification
Prints and engineering drawings comprised a lot of my responsibilities at Senior Metal Bellows. Although I had some experience in the area, there was still a lot to learn. As an added duty, I completed the Fundamentals of GD&T training and received my certification per the ASME Y14.5 2009 Standard. I used my newfound understanding of drawings to conduct failure root cause analysis and to assist in Material Review board responsibilities -- determining Reworks, Scrap and Salvages, or Scraps.
​
This proved invaluable as GD&T is the language of manufacturing and is a fundamental understanding of being an engineer. I am excited to continue to use my knowledge of GD&T as I continue to forge my career path.
The engineering print below is very similar to parts manufactured at Senior Metal Bellows. It exhibits countless tolerances and GD&T language that is necessary to understand in order to adequately manufacture said parts.
