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At Snaptron, we believe hands-on experience is one of the best ways to grow as an engineer. Consequently, this summer, we were proud to welcome Tyler Nordengren to our Mechanical Engineering Internship program. Tyler joined us from Colorado State University, where he’s entering his senior year. Originally from Cary, Illinois, he’s passionate about using engineering to design more efficient products and processes. Tyler’s time at Snaptron has given him a unique opportunity to put that passion into practice.
Bringing Classwork to the Manufacturing Floor
Tyler’s primary focus this summer was redesigning one of our manual knockout stations. A critical tool we use to punch out our tactile domes. It’s a project that brought together nearly every aspect of his academic training, from SolidWorks modeling and 3D printing to manufacturing methods and statics equations.
“Having exposure to SolidWorks, 3D printing, the design process, manufacturing, and statics equations have been the most prevalent skills that have transferred from class to work,” Tyler shared. “It has been a full-circle moment getting to apply my classes to this project.”
A New Appreciation for Variety in Engineering
One of Tyler’s biggest surprises this summer? Just how varied each day could be.
“I found out that there are often small side projects to get done in the many different areas of our company,” he said. “It’s been to my benefit—I’ve gotten to experience the reality of in-house manufacturing, design, R&D, machining, and maintenance.”
That range of exposure gave Tyler a clearer view of how multifaceted a career in mechanical engineering can be. Especially in a company like Snaptron, where the line between engineering, production, and quality control is so closely intertwined.
Tools of the Trade
In just a few months, Tyler gained hands-on experience with a wide range of tools, systems, and machinery. He worked closely with diesets and tooling, operated Bruderer presses, and ran tests using life testers and our Sapphire force-displacement analyzers. He also explored the inner workings of our ERP system. This helped him gain a better understanding of how engineering decisions tie into business operations.
While he had some previous exposure to tools like SolidWorks and 3D printers, his time at Snaptron took that knowledge to a new level.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on his summer internship, Tyler said the experience has reshaped how he thinks about engineering in industry.
“This internship has shown me how niche mechanical engineering can be when put in the context of industry,” he said. “It has been fascinating to see how engineering revolves around everything in this world, yet it is so detailed in each application.”
Ultimately, we’re grateful for all of Tyler’s contributions this summer and wish him the best as he heads into his senior year. With his curiosity, adaptability, and problem-solving mindset, we know he’ll do great things in the world of engineering.
