Faster than Prime Shipping

While on an internship and managing the machine shop, I was approached by a technical communicator who requested a bracket. The bracket was to be mounted to a table and support 800 lbs of seals at the lower power train facility down the road. 

Following some simulations to simulate the loading, I made appropriate adjustments such that it could withstand the weights of the seals, followed by making a drawing package and reviewing it with the welder.

Before my involvement, such a project might have taken anywhere from weeks to months. However, during my time in the machine shop, I understood the shop's timelines and flexibility. As a result, I was able to communicate with the machinists and the welder on how to proceed, and the bracket was completed during the night shift. The following day, it was brought to the lower power train facility, where the technical communicator was amazed to have it so soon.

My involvement in the machine shop, beyond making it a fluid process, also allows the entire system to turn on a dime as needed. The result of a coordinated, planned machine shop is minimal downtime and maximum production capabilities.