At Contiweb, we believe that talent flourishes when students are given the freedom to learn, explore, and truly contribute. This was clearly demonstrated during Tim Verbeek’s (21) internship, a third-year Mechatronics student at Fontys University of Applied Sciences in Eindhoven. During his internship with the Development & Engineering department, Tim worked on a challenging project: developing a universal press simulator to replace the current testing system.
An assignment that perfectly aligned with his interests: PLC programming in practice. But Tim’s internship offered more than just technical experience. It was a period in which he applied his knowledge, gained new insights, and, as we like to see at Contiweb, realizing hiz full potential.
Learning within a team where knowledge is shared
“My internship at Contiweb has been a very positive experience,” Tim explains. “I learned a lot and gained valuable experience. I joined a great team of colleagues who are always willing to help and show me interesting things.”
The open and collaborative atmosphere within the Development & Engineering department played an important role in this. Tim not only received guidance from his supervisors but was also given the opportunity to explore other parts of the organisation.
“The atmosphere in the department is really good, and I was given many opportunities to learn. For example, I was able to regularly observe other departments, such as assembly. That way, you also learn a lot about things beyond your own assignment.”
The short communication lines within the team also made it easy to ask questions and receive quick feedback. “Our workspaces are close to each other, so I can always quickly ask something. That works very well.”
From research to a working solution
During his internship, Tim worked on developing a new universal press simulator. This system is used to test Contiweb machines before delivery to customers.
The existing press simulators had become outdated, lacking in functionality and user-friendliness. Tim’s task was therefore clear: to develop a new simulator capable of testing all Contiweb machines.
His internship began with a thorough analysis. “I started by researching the problem,” Tim explains. “This involved interviewing users and understanding exactly what the press simulator needed to include.”
After that, the real development work began. “The biggest challenge was developing the software for the simulator. I first tested the software extensively before actually building the press simulator.”
In the final phase of his project, Tim collaborated with the assembly department to test the simulator in practice. “We ran the press simulator on every machine that went through testing before shipment.”
In addition to this project, Tim was involved in several other assignments. For example, he researched replacement options for certain components and worked on a new safety feature for a splicer.
Engineering is more than just technology
During his internship, Tim realised that engineering in practice involves more than just technology. “The most important thing I have learned is that engineering is more than just developing a machine that works,” Tim says. “You also have to think carefully about user-friendliness and safety.”
He also recognised the importance of future-proof design when developing systems. “Modularity is very important. Systems should be designed in such a way that they can easily be improved or expanded in the future.”
An internship where you can truly grow
According to Tim, Contiweb is an excellent place for students to undertake their internship. “I would definitely recommend Contiweb to fellow students. You get the chance to see and learn a lot. Because the entire Development & Engineering team works in the same department, you gain insight into all the different aspects of engineering.”
His internship perfectly exemplifies what Contiweb stands for: empowering students to develop themselves while delivering real value to live projects. Or, as we like to say: at Contiweb, talents and interns like Tim are given the space to grow and realize their full potential.
Interested in an internship at Contiweb?
We congratulate Tim on achieving a great internship result and wish him every success in continuing his studies. Are you also interested in an internship at Contiweb? Send an email to recruitment@contiweb.com or visit: https://www.werkenbijcontiweb.nl/vacatures/stage-engineering/ to explore the possibilities.
