My position at Kohler was Co-Op Engineering assigned to Faucet Assembly in Kohler, Wi. My role primarily focused on the design, revision, and upkeep of assembly tooling (in house designed and purchased/torque), fixturing (assembly, test, operational) , and work instructions (detailed step-by-step with pictures). All design work, both modeling and drawings, was completed in Creo. This particular assembly area of Kohler focused on high end faucets and accessories (both kitchen and bath) as well as valving. This facility is primarily an extremely high mix low volume area that functions as individual work cells either designed for certain products or as a general cell for a wide array of products. As such versatility and quick change-over was a requirement in all aspects.
This is a list of my accomplishments while working at Kohler for a year.
Achievements
- Designed a minimum of 36 fixtures & tools
- Redesigned/Additions a minimum of 10 additional fixtures & tools
- Participated in PPRs for new and existing products
- Aided launch of entire Kallista Script collection as well as pieces from the One, For Town, Per Se collections and Titantium & Rose Gold finish adds
- Aided in Mod projects
- Created a list of Loctite and other lubricants used in WFO Assembly for quick reference
- Evaluation of the state of current Torque Tools (wear, age, utility, ergonomics)
- Assisted in the creation of the future torque tool strategy for WFO Assembly
- Assisted in decision making process for torque tool supplier
- JICS (Job Instruction Cards)
- Created and implemented process for the creation & updating of JICs
- Created and Revised a Standard (document) for the process of creation & updating of JICs
- Created a spreadsheet for the tracking of JICs
- Created/updated at least 60 JICs
- Assisted with training of 3 interns and 1 co-op, specifically in the JIC process
- Participated in Kaizen event for Assembly
- Schmidt Press Replacement
- Evaluated multiple options for a replacement press to mitigate several major safety concerns
- Provided supporting information promoting the purchase of a replacement press
- Assisted in the writing of an Authorized Corporate Transaction for a replacement press (Approved)
- Assisted in evaluation of several quotes for the Redesign of KOS Valve Assembly Machine
- ULB (Un-Lacquered Brass)
- Designed and carried out experiments of testing procedures on ULB finished faucets to determine causation of premature tarnishing or corrosion
- Reported findings from experiments to representatives of various teams to decide actions going forward (Preventative Maintenance on testing equipment, potential redefinition of Un-Lacquered Brass aesthetic)
Skills
- Mostly unaided on-the-job-training of Creo 3.0 over a period of a month beginning on 03/23/2016, but also using PTC Learning Exchange videos for an introduction
- Learned SAP functionality (Data Management system)
- Learned basic assembly practices and aesthetic evaluation
- Assembly Design Team best practices for the modeling and dimensioning of assembly fixtures & tools
