Kai Scott - Covaris

Covaris is a biomedical company focused on producing sample preparation tools for research and diagnostics. Their products are used in fields like genomics and proteomics, providing critical support for biological sample analysis. Known for its ultrasonicator instruments and specialized extraction systems, Covaris plays a key role in advancing research through precise sample handling technology.

During my internship at Covaris, I initially felt unsure about my abilities as an engineer. However, I was entrusted with meaningful projects and supported by a professional team that helped me grow my confidence and skills. The experience played a vital role in shaping my approach to engineering challenges and prepared me for future endeavors.

This project was a test fixture designed for troubleshooting and testing large printed circuit boards (PCBs), which often arrived with design or assembly errors. The fixture was sheet metal fabricated for durability and housed various components, including dummy loads to simulate real-world electrical conditions, cooling fans to manage heat dissipation, and resistors to mimic load behavior. The control panel featured a series of switches and indicators, allowing each function of the PCB to be tested independently. Additional components, such as capacitors and relays, were included to handle varying voltages and signal processing during testing. This setup made it easy to isolate and identify PCB issues while providing a controlled environment for troubleshooting. The robust design and modularity allowed for quick adjustments and testing of multiple PCBs, significantly speeding up the troubleshooting process.

I designed a 3D-printed epoxy fixture to locate the optimal position for an RFID sensor in a manufacturing process. The fixture was custom-built to test various sensor positions, ensuring precise alignment with the RFID tags. Its lightweight but sturdy epoxy construction made it ideal for quickly adjusting sensor placement during testing. After multiple trials using the fixture, we successfully identified a location that achieved 100% accuracy in reading RFID tags, greatly improving the reliability of the system. This fixture streamlined the process of sensor placement, ensuring consistency and efficiency in the manufacturing environment.