Over the course of the summer I have learned much about how to manage groups of people to achieve a larger end goal. While there were a few hiccups along the way (the necessity of locking castors for tables, etc.), work on the Idea Forge has gone better than imagined. We have nearly completed construction of 20 whiteboards of two unique designs, three work tables, and seven design tables.
With each of these projects, the goal was to make something functional and visually stimulating. To show just how easy this is to accomplish, I have created a venn diagram illustration.
Sufficed to say, it was a challenge to make this happen. I was part of the second round of employees to come through the project, and as such, I had some catching up to do with the projects. After a short while though, we were organized as a group and were working as a well oiled machine.
Upon arrival, there were a few things mostly completed, including the whiteboards, and some things that needed lots of work, like the design and work tables.
The first issue we ran across with the design tables was squaring the frames. Made out of galvanized piping, the frames could be described as "artisnally crafted", each table is unique. It took almost a week of shifting and cranking with pipe wrenches to make the seven frames level and square enough to add on the steel angle bars that would serve as a rim for the specially designed wood table toppers. Even though we made the steel frames as square as possible, it was still necessary to muscle the bars to slot connecting bolts through to the galvanized base. We certainly do not envy those who have to manipulate those frames in the future. Given the opportunity, we should have gone with a more exact material, like fully cut and bored steel bars. This would have made the construction process 100% easier, even if it did put the tables on the far left of our Venn Diagram above. That being said, the final products with the galvanized piping look incredible and will be functional for many years to come.
The work tables presented a whole other host of issues. Breakdowns in communication between multiple supervisors had given us, the student workers, a limited view on the purpose of the tables. One minute we would hear the tables would see light construction work, like assembling small pieces of acrylic, and the next we would be expected to have the table support an entire engine block.
At some point as a group, we got frustrated enough that we confronted our superiors and had them detail specifically what they required. After this event, we were able to move forward with renewed purpose and energy. The design was finished shortly thereafter and we spent a whole day constructing the work table. Made from 80-20 aluminum, these work tables were lighter, stronger and more expensive, than their galvanized pipe counterparts. Since then we have constructed two additional tables, bringing the total number of work tables to three.
The most fun that I had working on these projects was designing and crafting the design table toppers. We ended up constructing three tables with sealed and stained Colorado beetle kill pine, two tables stained with gears branded into them, one table with a looping gear and chain design inlaid into the table, and a final table with an inlaid steampunk blimp.
Overall, this summer job has been an eye opening experience. It has confirmed my interest in the engineering field and peaked my desire to become involved with engineering management.
Please take a look at the pictures posted below. They show just some of the people who have put in the hard work necessary to make this project a success.
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