I started my career at Anton Paar GmbH as an apprentice in electronic engineering in 2012. Over the course of my three-and-half-year apprenticeship I was able to work in many different areas of the company and gain experience. It was especially interesting to get to know the departments which produce the different components of an instrument, see how much energy is invested in every step of the production process, and discover what is really important. Every department I worked in had one thing in common: understanding the importance of quality, precision, and team spirit. Towards the end of my apprenticeship I knew exactly which department I wanted to work in: Assembly.
My colleagues and I produce the highly precise density meters that deliver results down to the sixth digit. They are employed in many different industries, like the beverage, food, chemical, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological industries. The world’s most precise density meter, DMA 5000 M, from our department is used in numerous laboratories worldwide.
In the electronic production parts of our circuit boards are assembled, soldered, and checked. Cables are mounted and the majority of the adhesive bonds are produced. These individual components are then checked in the respective quality departments and sent to us. Once they are here, the parts are either stored in the corresponding working space or prepared for further work.
Our department is divided into different stations. My colleagues in the measuring cell area connect the complex glass U-tubes with mechanical and electronic components. This is how the centerpiece of every density meter is formed. In the preparatory work the front is assembled with a display, the back framework with the power supply, and the electronic slot with the circuit boards. The final assembly of the instrument takes place in an assembly line that is split into four stations. This has the advantage that work tools and materials are always in the right place and that the instruments can be passed to the next station easily on special plates.
I am mainly in charge of the final step of the assembly, in which the connecting plugs and circuit boards are checked, software updates are carried out, and the touchscreen is calibrated. For this working step I use a multimeter and a computer to check all interfaces. After all the tests have been completed successfully it’s time for different adjustments and calibrations. For that solvents and chemicals are employed, such as deionized water, ethanol, and isooctane.
What I particularly like about my job are the small daily challenges I overcome. These are not only interesting but also educational. I have learned to assume responsibility and that sticking together as a team is especially important in order to be successful. Precise and accurate work is just as essential as team spirit and a good working atmosphere.