I spent 6 months developing the C2 3D printer at Robo 3D in San Diego.
Check out our funded Kickstarter for some details.
As the product development engineer intern, I focused on building prototypes, identifying potential problems, and finding solutions. My day typically included researching a specific topic, like which piece of hardware would work in a given situation, then finding that hardware, purchasing samples, testing them in the prototype, and communicating with the manufacturer to ensure it is being sourced and installed correctly.
One day, I might have to jury rig a part of a prototype due to incorrect sizes (in this case, wrong belts), or maybe to try a new approach without purchasing new parts.
On occasion, I'd go back to my electronic technician roots and break out an O'scope to make sure a controller is behaving.
Other times, I'd draw up wire harnesses or cable anchor locations for our manufacturer.
I'd often find areas in need of improvement when assembling a prototype. This involved creating, tracking, and following up on issues while coordinating between the industrial design team and the manufacturers.
This injection-molded plastic part needed to leave room for the flange of this bearing.
And these motor mounting slots would benefit from a keyhole shape in order to facilitate assembly.
I was responsible for choosing connectors, identifying final wire lengths, assembling each wire...
...or sometimes even designing simple PCBs
When we got 300 printers from the manufacturer and needed to upload updates, check the packaging, and secure a few points that hadn't been tied down yet, we spent a few days doing just that.
2016