Tenneco | Mechanical Engineering Internship

One of the main problems I had to tackle during the launch of the new packaging machine was a high-volume parts tray. Under tight constraints, I encountered a challenge with an outdated parts tray that could only hold five plastic-wrapped parts. Determined to enhance efficiency, I designed a high volume parts tray capable of accommodating up to 60 parts, aiming to optimize production and address corner cases of overloaded volumes.

Working with another engineer and the maintenance crew, we crafted a durable, custom-made tray with non-stick surfaces and low friction roller. The design ensured secure containment and seamless retrieval of components during the packaging process.

Benefits

Increased Production Capacity: The new tray allowed us to handle larger batches, significantly reducing lead times and meeting deadlines efficiently.

Streamlined Operations: Fewer interruptions and reduced manual interventions streamlined our packaging line, maximizing overall productivity.

Cost Savings: Enhanced efficiency and minimized waste led to tangible cost savings and optimized resource utilization.

Improved Quality Control: The tray's secure design minimized errors and damaged components, ensuring only top-quality products reached customers.

Required me to understand all the intricacies of the machine's settings. Thinking back, this project could have been much more efficient with a well-designed DOE. (This project led me to learn about DOEs and I actually got to apply my skills in my internship with P&G after this!)