Digital Twins, HMI Solutions and Chocolate Boxes
– A Student Internship at Shape
At Shape Process Automation, we believe that the competence of tomorrow is shaped today. That’s why it’s natural for us to welcome LIA students and offer them real experience in automation and robotics – not just as a way to grow, but as an investment in the future of our entire industry.
Right now, we have the privilege of hosting two enthusiastic students who are not only doing their LIA internships with us but are also completing their thesis projects here. We sat down with them to talk about what they’ve been working on, how their experience has been – and what it’s like to be part of Shape.
Meet Our LIA Students
Kajsa Nilsson and Teddi Välimäki both study at the Yrkeshögskolan i Olofström and are now in their final semester – almost ready to graduate. Kajsa has several years of experience at Volvo prior to her studies, while Teddi joined straight from high school.
Finding a LIA placement isn’t easy these days, but Kajsa and Teddi reached out to Shape already a year ago.
– “Yes, we actually started pestering them back then!” laughs Kajsa, adding that several of their classmates still haven’t been able to find a placement.
🟦 About the Thesis Projects
Can you briefly describe your thesis projects?
– “My project is about creating a digital twin of Shape’s standard palletizing cell EP100 – essentially making a virtual copy of it,” says Teddi. “The project also involves evaluating the benefits of using a digital twin and identifying its pros and cons.”
What’s been the most challenging part?
– “Learning to use the simulation software Visual Components. It’s been tough but really fun. And when things didn’t work, I had support from Jimmie Hansson here at Shape – he’s a real expert in the software,” Teddi says with a smile.
Teddi Välimäki
Kajsa’s project has focused on user-friendliness:
– “I’ve worked on enabling control of the robot via PLC and HMI, instead of using the pendant – which is normally used by automation engineers. The idea is that a maintenance department should be able to adjust the robot, and that an operator can easily follow its movements via the HMI. It’s a new way of thinking within automation.”
Kajsa Nilsson
Throughout their internship, they’ve been supported by Magnus Spåre, Senior Automation Engineer at Shape.
– “We’re so grateful to have had Magnus as our mentor. He’s kind of a ‘super senior’ around here – not just anyone!” laughs Teddi.
Teddi Välimäki, Magnus Spåre, Kajsa Nilsson
Both Kajsa and Teddi emphasize how engaged Magnus has been in their work. It was also Magnus, together with Dr. Anders Jönsson, Head of Technology & Innovation, who helped them choose their thesis topics.
🟦 Everyday Life at Shape
What else have you done during your internship?
– “It started on day one with feeding chocolate boxes into eleven palletizing cells for test runs,” they laugh.
After that, they helped Peter Redigh with the gigantic transport system that’s been built at Shape over the winter. Their work included programming conveyor systems, lift systems, and sensors.
– “Now we’re back to packing chocolate – but this time we’re doing the programming instead of the feeding!” they say with a grin.
What surprised you the most?
– “How large the projects here at Shape are – and the programming standards!” says Kajsa. “In the beginning, we weren’t sure how we’d manage it all.”
What was the most fun?
– “When the robot finally started moving after all the programming,” they both answer, laughing.
🟦 What Happens Next?
– “Now it’s time to hand in our thesis projects, do our presentations, and then we graduate at the end of May.”
And after that?
– “Then we’ll see you again!” say two smiling students. “That’s when we start our new jobs as Junior Automation Engineers at Shape Process Automation EMEA AB in Karlshamn!”
At Shape, we don’t see educating young people as a responsibility – we see it as a given. While others wait for competence to become “job ready,” we take an active role in developing it.
Many of our former LIA students are now our colleagues. We’re proud to be a workplace where knowledge is allowed to grow, be challenged, and taken seriously. To us, that’s how you build a sustainable future – for individuals and for industry.