As a Mechanical Engineering student, it is important for us to have other means of knowing more about our field. One way is through fieldtrips where students get to see the actual machines and equipment being studied in a classroom. Last January 22nd to 26th of this year, the Mechanical Engineering Department, together with other departments, of the University of Southeastern Philippines went to Cebu and Bohol to visit manufacturing plants as well as power plants located within the area. I am going to give my observations and learnings to every company we visited.
The first company we visited is the Union Galva Steel Corporation where their products are GI sheets, corrugated and plain. I observed that this company didn’t stop in expanding its business to cater customers all over the nation. I learned how galvanized and pre painted steel products are made and how to make use of its scraps. What I like about this company is that they give back to the community through programs like tree planting. We then headed to our hotel and took some rest.
The next company we had for the second day is Uratex Philippines and the Treasure Island Industrial Corporation. For Uratex, today’s largest commercial foam manufacturer, I observed its disciplined workers and informative speakers during the tour. I also noticed the state-of-the-art facility they have. I learned about their humble beginnings, how it maintained its productivity and remember the famous line “There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs.” The second company for the second day is the Treasure Island Industrial Corp who manufactures lacquers, thinners, epoxy primers and paints. I observed that the process in making their product is mostly mixing. I learned how screw conveyors and belt conveyors work together in a plant. Mechanical Engineers in this company are assigned in Maintenance department.
Third day is Bohol Day. I expected long white sand sea shore in a sunny day, but that never happen in Bohol. We went to Bohol Bee Farm, Chocolate Hills, Man-made forest and Tarsiers. Then we had an amazing lunch in floating restaurant in Loboc River. It was amazing though. In afternoon we headed to SPC Island Power Corp. I observed that the company is not that big but it produces enough amount of electricity in the region. I observed they are slowly upgrading their controlling systems.
Chairs and tables made out of crankshafts and pistons
A lathe machine under repair
For our fourth day, we went back in Cebu and went to Wellmade Motors and Development Corporation and Gardenia Philippines. In Wellmade , I observed that the company is small and what I like about here is that there chairs are made out of machine parts like crankshaft, piston, which inspired me that someday I’m going to have this kind of chair. I, in my entire life, witness a large lathe machine. I learned to give opportunities to everyone as to how they give chances on person with disability and on the job trainees from Mindanao. Next company we visited for the day is Gardenia Philippines, during our visit, it was very hot in their workplace. I observed that there only few factory workers because of the automation of some processes. I learned about how short the life of a bred is, and where the back orders go.
Fire tube boiler under repair.
While in Carmen copper Corporation (Open Pit Mining)
For our last day in our fieldtrip, we went to the amazing Carmen Copper Corporation and Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Inc. First company is CCC, the largest copper mine in the nation. I observed that they have meet the standards of a mining company and they are very responsible when it comes to environment and community. I learned that there is life in mining ; thousands of people have jobs because of it. The last company we went to is the one that manufactures ships, the Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Inc. The largest product amongst all during our trip. They manufacture cargo ships. It was just amazing to see how parts of the ship being made, being calculated and being tested in the site. If I were to choose to where I want to work among all the companies we visited, I would choose either this CCC or the Tsunieshi.
There is Life in Mining.
To wrap up everything my Fieldtrip experience, I learned three things during the trip: humble beginnings, upgrade and innovate, and giving back to the community. There is a ladder for success, whatever steps we are taking we should always make sure that it leads to success. We are now in a digital and modern world and so, it is important to adopt to changes especially to new technologies for the better productivity. Lastly, we should not forget our community, always include them to every decision if it is beneficial to them and good for their health, because we are not in the industries without them. Fieldtrips like these can help students to take a closer look to where Mechanical Engineers go after college and to remind how things work around the globe with or without Mechanical engineers.