From: SNAKEBYTE           
To: RUFUS               
Subject: computers      
Date & Time: 06/22/90 23:50:18
Message Number  6011

>automation design engineer 
  
Well, that is what my 'background' is in. My college education was in
Marine Biology. Okay, Automation Design Engineer...we design automatic
assembly systems with robotics, pick-and-place equipment, PLC controls,
servos....etc,etc to manufacture or assemble industrial products from
printed circuit boards to typewriters automatically. Sometimes they are
small machines (10' square) other times they are full factory systems
(ie- the entire plant for IBM Lexington, KY to assemble, test and 
package the Selectric Typewriters from rough/raw components into the
finished product). Right now I am in charge of the CAD group and work
closely with R&D for a company manufacturing pouch form-fill-& seal
equipment and related components. It's not big into hi-tech automation,
but the packaging industry is a little behind others, so the potential
for growth is GREAT. I still dabble in robotics and automation systems
on the side. Mechanical Engineering is fun, but if you deside to take
it up, do everything you can to get hands-on experience. Too many
engineers are book-smart and practical-stupid.
  
   Automate, emmigrate or evaporate..... (President of GE)