Bsc: Internship Mechanical Engineering - Design a lightweight and ultra-stiff lifting table

Are you interested in designing structures that combine strength, precision, and slim design? Do you want to solve a real engineering challenge in a high-tech system? Then this assignment is for you!

Canon Production Printing is offering a BSc internship in Mechanical Engineering focused on designing a lightweight and ultra-stiff lifting table.

Your assignment

In high-performance printing systems, reliable pallet handling is essential. A lifting table is used to raise pallets with media toward the feeding unit. To guarantee stable and accurate transport, the pallet must remain as flat as possible during lifting. This means the deflection of the lifting table under load must be minimized.

At the same time, the table should be as thin as possible. Operators use a pallet truck to place heavy pallets on the lifting table, so a low height is important for usability and ergonomics. This creates a challenging trade-off between stiffness, weight, and overall thickness.

In this assignment, you will work on a real engineering challenge: designing a lifting table that is stiff, lightweight, and as thin as possible.

Your activities may include:

• Analysing the current requirements and performance of the lifting table
• Developing and evaluating concept solutions that meet the functional requirements
• Performing practical tests and measurements on a test setup
• Translating your findings into a well-supported design proposal

You will be part of an R&D team working on advanced industrial systems, where your design can directly contribute to improved machine performance.

Why this assignment?

You will work on a real design problem with clear constraints and trade-offs. This assignment combines structural design, mechanical analysis, and hands-on testing. You will gain experience in turning requirements into a validated engineering solution.

Your profile

• You are currently studying Mechanical Engineering (BSc)
• You are looking for an internship or graduation assignment
• You are interested in structural design and mechanical optimization
• You enjoy analysing trade-offs between stiffness, weight, and geometry
• You have experience with CAD and mechanical calculations
• Experience with FEM/FEA is a plus
• You are analytical, pragmatic, and hands-on

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

About Canon Production Printing

We develop and manufacture high-tech printing products and workflow software for the commercial printing market as part of Canon, a global leader in imaging technologies. Our culture is built on openness, collegiality, trust and stability. We empower our people to grow, take initiative, and make an impact.

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.