Bsc: Internship Mechanical Engineering - Interface optimization of a ball contact interface

Are you looking for a graduation internship in Mechanical Engineering? Are you looking for an internship where material science, but also modelling & experimentation is important? We are looking for you!

Your Assignment
In the Print Unit of our high-precision machines, we use ball interfaces to ensure accurate alignment between components. These interfaces consist of a set of balls on one part and a counterpart with a cone, a V-groove, and a flat surface on the other. Due to frequent dynamic loading, these interfaces must be both durable and low-friction, typically requiring hard, milled materials—an expensive and complex solution.

Your assignment is to optimize this ball interface by identifying a more cost-effective yet functional alternative. This involves researching and experimenting with different materials and treatments to determine the minimum required hardness and durability, without compromising performance or self-positioning accuracy. You will explore both the balls and their counterparts, focusing on how material properties influence wear, friction, and repeatable alignment.

Key topics you’ll work on:

• Steel insert hardness: material selection, hardening treatments, and alternatives
• Ceramic ball alternatives: cost-effective materials, coatings, and treatments
• Durability and lifetime modeling supported by experimental validation
• Influence of material properties on self-positioning behavior
• This project combines material science, mechanical modeling, experimental testing, and production techniques.

Your Profile
You are studying Mechanical Engineering (Bsc), looking for a graduation internship. You are a curious and hands-on engineer or researcher with a strong interest in materials and mechanical design. You enjoy combining theoretical analysis with practical experimentation and are eager to contribute to real-world engineering challenges. You have experience or interest in modeling and experimental validation.

What’s in it for you?

• A challenging assignment with skilled coaching.
• Internship/Graduation compensation of €500,- per month.
• Travel cost compensation if you don’t have an ‘OV-weekcard’.
• The possibility to network with professionals inside and outside your field of expertise, thanks to our diversity of disciplines which you will work with.
• With our company values collaboration, innovation, and ownership, we strive to bring out the best in each other, expand boundaries, and feel empowered to take ownership of our work.

Interested? 
Are you interested in this assignment? Please click on the button 'apply now' where you can upload your resume and motivation letter. If you would like to receive more information concerning this assignment, please contact Tom Verhaegh via tom.verhaegh@cpp.canon. If you have any questions about the internship in general, please contact Milou Geelen, +31 6 25653192.

Waar staan wij voor?

Wij ontwikkelen en produceren hightech printproducten en workflow software voor de commerciële printing markt als onderdeel van Canon, wereldwijd marktleider in beeldtechnologieën. Met ongeveer 3300 werknemers verspreid over drie continenten en ons hoofdkantoor in Venlo, Nederland, innoveren we om hoogwaardige oplossingen te creëren die kleur toevoegen aan de wereld. Geleid door de Kyosei filosofie - samen leven en werken voor het algemeen belang – is onze cultuur gebouwd op openheid, collegialiteit, vertrouwen en stabiliteit. We stellen onze mensen in staat om te groeien, initiatief te nemen en impact te maken.

Met onze bedrijfswaarden samenwerking, innovatie en eigenaarschap, streven we ernaar het beste in elkaar naar boven te halen, grenzen te verleggen en ons gesterkt te voelen om eigenaarschap te nemen in ons werk.

Meer informatie over Canon Production Printing is beschikbaar op cpp.canon.