Jigs and Fixtures Intern Review

The design of jigs, fixtures and manufacturing aids in line with manufacturing requirements.
Production of engineering drawings for jigs, fixtures and manufacturing aids.
Creation of orders for materials, components for internal and/or external suppliers.
Identification and follow through of process improvements within manufacturing.
Undertake torque tool checks and maintain the torque checking system.
Design for 3D Printing with 3D print execution and management.
Creation and maintenance of critical layout drawings for site.
Day-to-day this involves identifying problems and generating design solutions to improve manufacture efficiency and process flow. All designs have to be ergonomically considered and can be steel fabrications, 3D prints or aluminium section assemblies.
Generation and communication of engineering drawings for fabrication.
Maintenance and generation of site layouts to increase process flow of production lines.

Individual responsibility was on-par with full-time employees in similar positions.
Given complete freedom and decision making with design solutions- allowing unrestricted creative design.
Allowed to operate and manage individual projects with no input (design, material/part acquisition, laser cutting, use of metal press shop and development etc.).
Factory processes (steel laser cutting, steel bending and steel fabrication) were available at my discretion whenever I felt necessary for a project. This was a big responsibility and made the role very rewarding.

3D and 2D CAD skills improved noticeably throughout placement due to daily use.
Real-world use of engineering drawings encourages thorough design unlike University Courseworks which are infrequently used for manufacture.
Communication of design is essential to ensure assemblies are fabricated right first time.
Understanding of manufacturing ergonomics and adhering to set standards.
Working in unison with other departments to develop suitable solutions.
As well as role-specific skills, I have developed a wider understanding of principles within manufacture- involved in all major meetings and included in conversations about a range of department decisions.

Support available within individual projects and wider job role at all times.
Able to openly question design solutions and present concepts before fabrication to ensure all parties are satisfied.
Full-time employees within department and other department offer support and information whenever asked, whether this is ergonomics, steel fabrication, process flow etc.
Project leaders and line manager and easily communicated with and there are no barriers to information within the factory.
Daily whiteboard meetings within department allow communication of problems/blockers within projects.

Within the offices, there is a laid-back yet professional atmosphere. Pressure can occasionally be high across departments to deliver solutions within a time frame due to high value projects, however, this encourages a productive atmosphere with a constant supply of work to be occupied with.
Business principles are very strongly upheld and adhered to, however, the workspace is very personable and enjoyable throughout.
There are a number of other placement roles so interns create a social group which is nice among the factory.

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in this role and believe I have used the time wisely to maximise my learning and skills. I enjoy the day-to-day design tasks and particularly liked the individual responsibility endowed to me in the position- this allowed me to develop my own project management skills and has prepared me for the workplace. Although this responsibility sometimes came with a level of pressure, I enjoyed this as I felt like a key part of the business operations.

Yes