SHARKNINJA
Due to NDA Restrictions, I am currently unable to display most of the work I did at SharkNinja, but will update the page as soon as possible.
DATA ACQUISITION AND ANALYSIS
A large portion of my job was creating test procedures to improve the performance or test new technologies. Using various tools like thermal imaging, DAQ midi loggers with thermocouples, and different meters, I was able to analyze these new improvements and technologies and considered if they were worth implementing.
During my time at SharkNinja, I had the opportunity to optimize different brew procedures, thermal map touch points on prototype units, and use thermal imagining to compare heating element performance. Many of the tests I ran were comparative tests, and I would often compare the performance of our models to many other competitive units.
A Test Fixture and a DAQ equipped with thermocouples used to evaluate heating element performance.
A different configuration of the same test fixture pictured above used to evaluate the effects of reflectivity on radiation.
TEST FIXTURES
To efficiently test different iterations of design prototypes, I would often need to create intricate test fixtures. The most readily available resources to create these were 80/20 aluminum, sheet metal, high-temperature silicone, and Kapton tape. A lot of these fixtures would require me to bend, cut, and turn down different types of metal parts. Occasionally, I would need to spray paint these fixtures to ensure there was minimal reflectivity which could impact the results of the test.
One of my main tasks was to compare different heating elements and evaluate their performance. I was given many different heating elements and needed to evaluate their performance in the least amount of time possible. These tests could take up to an hour to complete, so I created a modular test fixture in order to be able to test multiple elements at the same time. Not only was I able to test multiple elements, but I was also easily able to switch out different elements while maintaining their position in relation to the rack. The fixture also had a lot of free space to add different reflective features so I could test how these variables affected their performance. Using this fixture, I was able to determine which elements would provide the best performance and laid out my findings in a presentation which was sent to everyone working on the project.
CO-OP BOOKLET
When I first arrived at SharkNinja, I was overwhelmed by the amount of information I was told and, in general, felt lost. Within my first few days I was given assignments, and I had no idea where to find any of the required materials. There was no resource for me to use to get acquainted with my surroundings, and the general workflow of the company was very daunting. So, I decided to write a booklet to outline everything a new hire may need to know during their first few weeks. This booklet covers everything from getting started on your first day, to submitting time sheets, to finding materials or supplies, to setting up your email. This was a resource that I wish I had on my start date, so I went ahead and created it. Not only did this provide a resource for the future co-ops, it helped me get comfortable being self-sufficient in the workplace. After reviewing my writing, the HR department has decided to implement it for the next round of co-ops. Click the following link to view an PDF excerpt of the guidebook.
GALLERY OF WORKS
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One of my main tasks during my time at SharkNinja was to study different heating elements and determine which ones were the best to use in different products. In order to test different heating elements, I created this test rig. This test rig allowed me to vary the height, width, or position of the heating elements easily without messing up its current placement.
This rig was also able to be modified to run two heating elements at the same time. These tests could take up to an hour, so being able to run multiple heating elements was crucial. Not only could I run two heating elements, I was able to set up multiple different reflectors in order to see how the radiation was affected. This allowed me to isolate different variables, while minimizing extraneous ones.
During my first few weeks of starting work at SharkNinja, I was tasked with the job of optimizing a Ninja Coffee machine in order to increase the brew strength and flavor in the least amount of time. I started by creating a procedure and running a few baseline tests. After baselining, I started changing variables one by one until there were drastic changes in the output. Then, I fine tuned these changes, and successfully optimized the brew procedure.
One of my main tasks during my time at SharkNinja was to study different heating elements and determine which ones were the best to use in different products. In order to test different heating elements, I created this test rig. This test rig allowed me to vary the height, width, or position of the heating elements easily without messing up its current placement.