Just got a job in the carbon fiber industry

[davidinindy]

I just wanted to introduce myself to this forum. I've "lurked" here for a while, having always been interested in carbon fiber and other exotic composites.
I just started at a composite shop on monday, and am going to be designing there. I'm spending the first couple weeks out on the floor observing and getting my hands dirty. Coming from a plastics background, I'm familiar with molding in general, but have only read about composites. I'm a little suprised at how labor intensive it is.
Anyway, I'll be a regular in this forum, in addition to some of the others I frequent. I'll be learning first, then hopefully able to contribute later.

 

[canaero]

Sounds like a place where I used to work; shop experience for a couple weeks then up to the office to do design work. Pay close attention on the shop floor, knowing how things are put together down there will be a great help once you're up in the office. Another great help is working on prototype parts yourself. Doing the lay-up and assembly will provide you with a lot of useful information for when you have to make production drawings (and instructions).

A rule of thumb for composites is that it will cost 1.5X what the estimate is and it will take 1.5X the amount of time from what you would think.

canaero `->-

 

[Compositepro]

You would be well served by continuing to spend 15 minutes walking the shop floor every day for your whole career. If you don't see or notice something new every day you are not thinking. There is also a lot of misinformation and poor proceedures in the industry so, in your mind, always question what you see and hear and make sure it makes sense to you.

 

[davidinindy]

Well, my first week went well. I spent a lot of time watching manufacturing perform all of the steps of the processes. I actually got my hands dirty and did some layup, some finishing, and some assembly work. I spent Friday afternoon getting into my first project. So far I really like it. I've seen race car parts, jet parts, and projects from many other industries.
I think I've gotten in good with everyone. They all seem to be pretty friendly and helpful.
Compositepro... I intend to do just that. I want to stay in good graces with manufacturing, and not be one of the people who never ventures out into the shop.
I am not afraid to ask questions. Although, I did see a mold, and a 3D drawing next to it, and something didn't look right. I was kinda afraid to point it out. Then I got called up to the office and forgot about it. I my go mention it Monday
Anyway, So far, so good.

 

[davidinindy]

I was blind-sided this morning when I showed up to work.
I was called into the production managers office, and told the project I was supposed to manage took a major turn. Instead of just making a few changes to the existing design, they are totally redesigning it and adding motion controls and automating all the functions. Before it was gears, levers and hand controls. Now they need a mechanical engineer instead of me. He promised it wasn;t anyhing about me personally. It was just a change in needs.
I intend to call later today and speak to the president of the company about hiring a contract engineer for the stuff I'm not qualified for, but keep me onboard for the rest. Hopefully we can work something out.
I turned down a couple other offers for this job and am pretty dissappointed.
I'm kinda in shock...