Through the Eyes of the Conbit Engineering Interns.

At Conbit, we pride ourselves on showing support and encouragement to our colleagues to reach the best results possible as a team. With our various internship programs, we offer no less.

Our latest group of engineering interns got to work on a variety of projects that broadened their experience within the engineering industry. Thomas van den Houten and Ties Ruiter joined our team a few months ago as design engineering interns - focused on the design of efficient and effective equipment.

Thomas van den Houten – Guy Wire Design

Thomas van den Houten, chose to work within the Conbit guy wire integrity program – where he worked on the design of a tensioning device which will be helpful in future guy wire projects. 

Conbit’s guy wire integrity program offers a range of guy wire services to keep structures like towers and stacks upright and secure – these services include the inspection, maintenance, replacement, engineering, and refurbishing of tension values. A guy wire project entails the team working with different types of equipment to tighten steel cables to hold towers and stacks up, also known as not self-supporting structures. With the help of this new tensioning device, Conbit should be able to release the tension from the turnbuckle, so the turnbuckle can be set to the correct length and the correct tension will be in the guy wire after releasing the tensioning device

Thomas shares his experience and excitement as he was able to work on a concept with the possibility of seeing it materialize. “I chose this assignment because I thought it would be fun to design and possibly make a device that can actually be used (at least as a solid foundation).”

Encouraged, assisted, and guided throughout the entirety of his internship with Conbit, the engineering team ensured that Thomas made major strides on the project he undertook, with constant feedback and pointers -  “I started with my plan of action where I defined the problem, made a list of requirements, explained what I was going to do and how. 

I also set my learning goals. From there I started making three concepts for the tensioning device. I drew these ideas in Inventor which is a 3D drawing program. I then regularly planned meetings with a team that consist of 4 engineers with a lot of experience. During these meetings, I showed my ideas and got useful feedback.

This system works really well because in between meetings you have time to adjust your design, make calculations, ask more questions, work on your design report, and gain new insights. Along the way, I planned regular one-on-one meetings with my company supervisor and showed my progress, and asked questions if I had any.” 

Ties Ruiter – Knuckle Boom Crane Design.

Another intern that contributed to the design department within Conbit is Ties Ruiter. Ties chose to work on the practical design of the skid of a 150-tonne meter knuckle boom crane. This assignment required a design for a higher capacity knuckle boom crane, which can handle bigger lifting loads for larger projects.

The knuckle boom crane is a mechanism that allows for the operation of various functions at once. This system can manage continuous and controlled speed levels that range from zero to maximum speed. This crane is designed and built to be disassembled for transportation and can be reassembled on site.

Ties had to base his design on two requirements that needed careful consideration and detail – the first being that the crane needed to be secured for transportation. “The first requirement of the skid is to support the crane while transported in a container. Almost every piece of equipment that is used by Conbit goes to a certain location in a container. This is no different for the 150-tonne meter knuckle boom crane. So before starting with the skid, there already are limits to the width, length, and height.”

The second requirement was that a frame needed to be installed within the skid, as it is needed for the operations carried out by the crane.

“ The second requirement the skid needs to fulfill is that the skid needs to handle the forces and moments that the crane produces during operation. These forces are very high and the frame that supports the pedestal needs to be able to handle these forces with a certain safety factor.”

Ties shares his personal experience and appreciation for his team at Conbit for the duration of his internship – “During the internship, I learned a lot of things. Not only did I learn to work with the new software, I learned a lot of personal characteristics which I can improve on as well. I am happy Conbit allowed me to work on their project and I won’t forget these experiences.”

Conbit ensured that Thomas and Ties were guided and equipped to take on their assignments with confidence. We are proud to be able to aid in the development of young minds and build skills that will lead to great professionals in the future.

“As students, Ties and Thomas came into the industry, eager to learn operations and work with equipment that they have only read about. They both joined the Conbit team very enthusiastically and impressionable. They have displayed growth in their professional and social abilities – which makes Conbit confident to send these two young professionals out knowing they will make a positive impact to the development of practices within the industry.” – Aad Sonneveld.