Trumpf

Report by James Frey

Summer 1996

I am a third year student at the University of Connecticut. My majors are mechanical engineering and German, and I participate in the EUROTECH program.

Through EUROTECH one can combine the study of various scientific specialities with German. Most of the students in the courses are in engineering. Through EUROTECH it is possible to find internships with German firms.

Last summer I received such a position at Trumpf (Farmington, CT) where I worked as an intern from June through August. Trumpf is part of the world wide operation of the Trumpf firms with the home office in Ditzingen, Germany. At Trumpf America NC laser machines and punching machines of highest quality are planned, manufactured, and tested. These machines are sold throughout the entire world. In other departments hand tools, bending machines and other apparatuses are produced. I worked as an intern in the development section of this firm. About fifteen engineers work there, seven of whom were mechanical engineers.

All the engineers used computers to design and draft. I had a work station with a Unix unit, and I spent the first two weeks learning a Hewlett-Packard CAD program. As soon as I was familiar with the system, my supervisor began giving me real projects. Usually these projects concerned parts of the laser machines that needed modifications. The parts that I designed were all from sheet metal, because Trumpf machines are especially suitable to process sheet metal. Which brings up an interesting fact; Trumpf uses its own products, to manufacture new products. One of the biggest advantages of this is that machines in actual production can be used for testing. It is true, moreover, that engineers work with technicians. The technicians often have ideas we can use to make the machines better, safer, or cheaper. I enjoyed talking with the technicians, because most were Germans, and I could improve my German.

This internship was an experience I will not soon forget, and I recommend every student in engineering to complete an internship.

EditorUs note: James Frey plans to study a semester abroad in addition to doing his German internship.