Derrick Stewart

During my attachment at NMC, I gained hands-on experience in mechanical design, manufacturing processes, and CAD/CAM applications within a real industrial environment. My role involved supporting the engineering team in: - 3D Modeling & Drafting: Designed and modified mechanical parts, assemblies, and production components using industry-standard CAD tools. - Technical Documentation: Prepared detailed engineering drawings and design reports for fabrication and machining. - Prototyping & Machining Processes: Observed and participated in CNC machining, milling, turning, and other manufacturing techniques, connecting design concepts to practical production. - Problem-Solving & Innovation: Applied theoretical knowledge to real-world engineering challenges, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and manufacturability in design outputs. - Collaboration: Worked closely with engineers, technicians, and supervisors to understand workflows from design to final product delivery. This experience strengthened my ability to bridge the gap between digital design and physical manufacturing, sharpening my technical skills while instilling a strong understanding of industry standards and practices.

As part of my internal attachment at DeKUT, I worked on practical projects that connected classroom theory with real-world applications in 3D design, prototyping, and mechatronics systems. This experience enhanced my technical expertise and problem-solving skills across multiple engineering domains. Key responsibilities and achievements included: - 3D CAD Modeling: Designed and refined mechanical components, assemblies, and system layouts using advanced CAD tools, ensuring precision and manufacturability. - Product Prototyping: Participated in the development of functional prototypes, applying design thinking principles to solve engineering problems. - Mechatronics Applications: Contributed to projects involving servo motors, sensors, and control systems, including early work on a bionic arm concept and automated mechanisms. - Technical Documentation: Prepared design reports, technical drawings, and presentations that communicated design intent clearly for academic and practical review. - Team Collaboration: Worked closely with faculty supervisors and fellow trainees to brainstorm solutions, integrate multidisciplinary knowledge, and deliver functional designs within set timelines. This attachment gave me valuable exposure to practical engineering design, strengthened my skills in 3D visualization and simulation, and prepared me to handle real-world design challenges with confidence.