Gary Cooper
Plastics Engineer · Bison Innovative Products
Midvale, UT
In My Own Words
Engineer with over ten years of plastic engineering and manufacturing experience. Aspiring to use my well rounded skills to provide solutions towards successful project completion. Proficient in project management, polymer processing, tool and fixture design, process validation, automation, quality control. Strong mechanical aptitude, understanding of material properties, heat transfer, and structural properties. Motivated to teach and learn new skills, challenge processes, and improve daily operations.
Work Experience
Plastics Engineer
Bison Innovative Products2019 – Present
- Evaluating injection molding processes, machine function, auxiliary equipment function, and material delivery systems daily to ensure consistency and quality - Troubleshooting part quality issues, working with Process Techs as needed to resolve - Executing minor repairs to machines and other equipment, working with Maintenance Manager as needed for more complex repairs - Review all Processes for part set-up, refine Processes and program in machines, where possible. - Record all Processes and ensure all Process Technicians have access to correct Processes for all parts - Monitoring quality trends and work with Process Technicians to address any issues - Working with VP, identify gaps in QC processes and assist in establishing full QC process for manufacturing. - Working with staff responsible for other quality procedures, assist with integrating quality processes and train all necessary manufacturing staff on QC processes -Draft documents for QC and other processes, reviewing with VP and other staff as needed - Working with VP, identify equipment needs and source products -Assisting in the evaluation and updating of other manufacturing activities at the direction of the VP -Provide verbal/written updates of status of projects, technical challenges or recommendations, and other updates to appropriate staff. -Assist VP, Process Technicians, Shift Supervisors and other team members as needed with technical assistance including changing molds, part set-up, QC questions or concerns, process questions, and other manufacturing activities.
Molding Technician
Trelleborg2017 – 2018
Oversee production in extrusion and injection molding areas on second shift (2:00pm - 10:30pm) Responsible for job completion, hourly measurements, material handling, and process troubleshooting Contributing to lean initiative through specific machine tool project to reduce set up time Gaining exposure to intricacies of molding ultra-polymer Torlon (PAI) Changing over tools as needed to allow for first shift to begin sample or run production
Project Engineer
PTA Plastics2015 – 2017
Responsible for new project development through sampling to manufacturing production release Oversaw tooling projects exceeding $1M in medical,animal research, and firearm industries Quoted and created work orders for new and transfer tool builds as well as design revisions Communicated project status with customers and internally with ISO 13485 Validation requirements Maintained Bill of Materials, engineering change notices, and customer part drawings within the ERP Lead and launched fixture creation activities with cross functional groups input and expertise Coordinated validation and sample testing often with customers on site
Molding Technician
PTA Plastics2013 – 2015
Coordinated sample and production set up, start up, and process troubleshooting on second shift Performed Design of Experiments including Gate Freeze, Viscosity, and Hold Time studies Developed processes with primarily Toshiba injection molding machines ranging from 45 to 610 tons Learned techniques for molding long glass and carbon fiber filled resins, Acetal, and PC/ABS blends Contributed to lean initiative with efficient video work instruction recording process Educated colleagues of scientific molding techniques and general plastic manufacturing guidelines
Technician / Supervisor
Denver Plastics2012 – 2013
Coordinated production and changeover of production on second shift Gained knowledge of various injection molding machines ranging from 75 to 1500 tons Performed duties of supervisor, quality inspector, molding technician and operator when needed Learned processing techniques for PEEK, PSU, two-shot and rubber over molding Experienced working with vertical molding machines and fork lift operation
Plastics Engineer - Process Specialist
Matrix Tool, Inc.2012 – 2012
Responsible for 30 molding machines overnight operation and production changeover on third shift Performed mold set up and process start up for small items such as electrical connectors Gained working knowledge of electric Nissei injection molding machines ranging from 55 to 237 tons Learned processing techniques for Liquid Crystalline Polymers, Polystyrene, PC, and ABS materials
Quality Engineer
Kyowa America Corporation2011 – 2012
Oversaw the quality of finished automotive part assemblies and components before shipping to customer Tracked efficiency of manufacturing, painting, and assembly departments daily Communicated production and scrap efficiency data to management on a weekly and monthly basis Trained and certified inspectors in the Painting and Assembly departments Obtained practical knowledge of lean manufacturing methods such as Kaizen, Kanban, and Poka-yoke
Process Engineer Intern
Viking Plastics2010 – 2011
Full time summer internship and part time throughout senior year until graduation from Penn State Assisted Process Engineers with process start up, development, and improvements Learned processing techniques for glass filled Nylons, stainless steel filled ABS, and foamed materials Designed and created booklets with set up and process instruction for new and existing product lines Improved foamed part production efficiency by 10% by modifying process from baseline
Manufacturing Internship
Prime Plastics Incorporated2009 – 2009
Worked primarily as a machine operator. Also gained experience in material handling, assembly line work, and extrusion blow mold and machine maintenance.
