Marquis Macadamias Work Experience

Placement objective

The placement objective was to gain practical engineering experience inside an active manufacturing plant, supporting plant engineering, maintenance, equipment improvement, and documentation tasks. The work connected CAD and mechanical design to real production-floor constraints, fabrication practicality, maintainability, safety, hygiene, and equipment downtime.

Placement overview

Role: Engineering Intern - Plant Engineering & Maintenance Support
Dates: January to March 2025
Site: Marquis Macadamias, Lismore / Lindendale, Northern NSW
Environment: Live food manufacturing and macadamia processing facility
Team context: Plant/project engineering, maintenance staff, operators, trades, production staff, suppliers, and fabrication support
Primary focus: Colour sorter integration, hopper and chute fabrication drawings, CAD design, shaker grader, air knife and bucket elevator components, plant-floor measurements, maintenance documentation, inspections, and installation support

Engineering context

The placement took place around live macadamia processing and production equipment. The work involved practical plant engineering support rather than isolated design exercises: measurements had to match existing equipment, drawings needed to be useful for fabrication, and solutions had to consider operators, maintenance staff, cleaning access, production flow, and installation constraints. Several CAD tasks were tied directly to material handling and product flow, including size grading dehusked nuts, kernel spreading after a water sorter, and nut-kernel conveying.

Macadamia processing and production equipment
Colour sorter integration, support structure, hopper, conveyors, and chute interfaces
Chutes and material-handling interfaces, including replacement chute work
Air knife / kernel-spreading component after the water sorter
Bucket elevator and nut-kernel conveying equipment
Shaker grader equipment for size-grading dehusked nuts
Packing and production equipment
Mechanical plant systems
Factory layouts and plant-floor equipment arrangements
Preventive-maintenance checklists
Asset records and maintenance documentation systems

Main project: colour sorter integration

The main placement project was an Autodesk Inventor assembly for a proposed colour sorter installation. Marquis wanted to add a new machine into an existing processing area, so the work started with plant-floor measurement of the surrounding support structure, conveyors, chutes, and connection points. The colour sorter, discharge hopper, and support structure were modelled as clear sub-assemblies before being combined with incoming and outgoing conveyors, chute paths, and interfaces to existing equipment.

The support structure was modelled separately before being combined with the machine and surrounding equipment. This made it easier to review the baseline geometry, identify where reinforcement would be needed, check whether the colour sorter arrangement would fit, and design new hopper, chute, and connection geometry. The model also supported contractor coordination, including reinforcement to the supporting structure and manufacture of new hopper and chute components.

My technical contribution

Created the main colour sorter integration assembly showing the new machine, support structure, existing conveyors, chute interfaces, and required fit-up around live plant equipment.
Modelled the proposed colour sorter machine so it could be reviewed independently before being placed into the larger plant assembly.
Designed a discharge hopper for the colour sorter project so nuts could fall from the sorter onto the conveyor and into the required downstream position.
Prepared a 2D fabrication drawing for the hopper so the contractor had dimensions, wall thickness, edge details, and geometry needed to manufacture it.
Measured existing structures, conveyors, and chutes on the plant floor to check whether the proposed colour sorter arrangement would physically fit.
Modelled the existing support structure separately so the colour sorter, conveyor interfaces, chute routes, and reinforcement requirements could be reviewed clearly.
Designed new chute geometry and connection details where existing interfaces would not work with the new equipment.
Modelled a separate replacement chute for another plant location where the existing chute was damaged and needed to be remade.
Worked with a contractor to add reinforcement to the structure and prepare new chute designs for manufacture.
Created CAD models and mechanical design layouts using Autodesk Inventor, including a latch mechanism design.
Designed a shaker grader assembly for size-grading dehusked nuts, prepared the fabrication drawing, and supported the manufactured unit through factory implementation.
Designed an air knife component intended to spread kernel evenly over a conveyor after the water sorter.
Prepared a 2D fabrication drawing for the air knife so the contractor had the key dimensions, flange geometry, outlet width, wall thickness, and tapered body angles needed to manufacture it.
Modelled bucket elevator components for nut-kernel handling, including bucket/conveyor geometry and detailed assembly views.
Took factory measurements and translated plant-floor constraints into practical layouts and fabrication drawings.
Prepared BOMs, technical drawings, and detailed drawing work with GD&T-style attention to manufacturability and installation.
Supported chute and shaker grader design work, including parts intended for contractor manufacture.
Assisted with supervised installation and commissioning support in an active production environment.
Completed routine inspections and supported condition-monitoring work orders.
Helped move maintenance documentation from paper records toward online / CMMS-style maintenance records and checklists.

Design and production constraints

Food manufacturing changes how even simple mechanical work is judged. A part has to fit, but it also has to be cleanable, maintainable, safe for operators, practical to fabricate, and possible to install without unnecessary disruption to production.

PPE, hygiene requirements, food-safety standards, housekeeping, and cleaning access.
Operator access, maintainability, production flow, and equipment downtime constraints.
Fit-up between a proposed new colour sorter, existing conveyors, chute paths, and the supporting structure.
Sheet-metal hopper geometry, open-face direction, edge details, conveyor placement, and contractor fabrication requirements.
Fabrication practicality, contractor communication, installation access, and fit-up inside a live plant.
Designing around existing equipment, real measurements, production schedules, and maintenance needs.

Results and evaluation

The placement produced practical engineering outputs and learning across CAD design, process equipment components, fabrication documentation, plant layout measurement, maintenance planning, and installation support. It met the objective by exposing me to the full path from real factory problem to measured layout, CAD model, drawing, manufactured part, installation consideration, and maintenance documentation. The colour sorter integration work was the strongest example: the CAD assembly was used to evaluate real fit-up constraints, support new hopper and chute designs, and communicate structural reinforcement requirements with the contractor.

Produced an integrated CAD assembly that showed how the proposed colour sorter, structural platform, conveyors, and chutes would fit together before fabrication and installation decisions.
Separated the colour sorter and support structure into clear sub-models so each interface could be reviewed before the full assembly was assessed.
Created a hopper CAD model and contractor drawing that linked the colour sorter discharge to the conveyor interface.
Delivered a shaker grader design and 2D fabrication drawing that were used by the contractor to manufacture equipment later implemented in the factory.
Created a standalone structural frame model that made the support geometry easier to review before adding the machine, conveyors, and chute details.
Used measured plant geometry to identify fit-up issues and guide new chute and connection designs.
Documented maintenance-driven replacement work where damaged existing equipment needed a practical CAD model for remanufacture.
Supported contractor coordination for structural reinforcement and manufactured chute work.
Built practical experience in mechanical design for manufacturing and plant support.
Produced CAD work for production equipment that progressed from design intent toward fabricated plant hardware.
Learned how CAD models and fabrication drawings translate into installed equipment.
Improved understanding of maintenance planning, documentation, inspections, and condition monitoring.
Worked around real factory constraints including access, cleaning, downtime, operator use, and maintainability.
Gained experience communicating with engineers, operators, trades, suppliers, and external fabrication support.

Tools and documentation

Autodesk InventorCAD drawingsBOMsTechnical documentationMaintenance recordsPreventive-maintenance checklistsOnline / CMMS-style documentation

Visual gallery

Autodesk Inventor CAD assembly of a colour sorter, supporting structure, conveyors, and chute connections for a macadamia processing line — **Colour sorter integration assembly** Main placement assembly showing a proposed colour sorter positioned on its support structure with surrounding conveyors and chute interfaces. The model was built from plant measurements to check fit-up, guide chute redesign, and coordinate structural reinforcement with the contractor.

Autodesk Inventor CAD render of the proposed colour sorter machine and hopper model — **Colour sorter machine CAD render** Standalone model of the proposed colour sorter machine and hopper, used as a sub-assembly before placing it into the wider support-structure, conveyor, and chute layout.

Autodesk Inventor CAD render of a hopper designed for the colour sorter conveyor interface — **Colour sorter hopper CAD render** CAD render of the hopper that sat on the conveyor beneath the colour sorter discharge, guiding nuts from the sorter into the required downstream position.

2D fabrication drawing supplied to a contractor for the colour sorter hopper — **Hopper fabrication drawing** 2D drawing supplied to the contractor for fabrication, showing the hopper views, key dimensions, angled faces, open-face direction, wall thickness note, and edge-piece detail.

Autodesk Inventor CAD render of the support structure used for the colour sorter integration project — **Support structure CAD render** Standalone model of the support structure that the colour sorter and surrounding machinery needed to sit on, used as the baseline for fit-up checks, reinforcement planning, and interface layout.

Autodesk Inventor CAD render of a replacement chute designed for a damaged chute in a separate plant location — **Replacement chute CAD render** Standalone replacement chute designed for a separate plant location after the existing chute was damaged. This was maintenance-driven CAD work for practical remanufacture and was not part of the colour sorter integration assembly.

Autodesk Inventor CAD render of a shaker grader assembly designed to size-grade dehusked macadamia nuts — **Shaker grader CAD render** Autodesk Inventor render of a shaker grader assembly designed and made for dehusked nuts, using spaced rods and side supports to separate product by size as it travels along the grader.

2D fabrication drawing supplied to a contractor for a shaker grader used to size-grade dehusked macadamia nuts — **Shaker grader fabrication drawing** 2D drawing supplied to the contractor for fabrication, showing rod spacing, side-plate profile, mounting holes, material note, nuts, and key dimensions for the shaker grader that was later implemented in the factory.

Autodesk Inventor CAD render of an air knife component designed to spread macadamia kernel evenly over a conveyor after a water sorter — **Air knife CAD render** Autodesk Inventor render of an air knife component designed to help spread kernel evenly over a conveyor after the water sorter, showing the flanged inlet, tapered body, and discharge geometry.

2D fabrication drawing supplied to a contractor for the air knife component — **Air knife fabrication drawing** 2D drawing supplied for fabrication, showing the air knife views, flange and bolt pattern, tapered body dimensions, outlet detail, wall thickness, and key angles for manufacture.

Autodesk Inventor CAD render of an individual bucket for a nut-kernel bucket elevator — **Bucket elevator bucket CAD render** Individual bucket design for the bucket elevator, showing the carrier volume, rounded internal surfaces, mounting features, side geometry, and end profile used in the larger assembly.

Autodesk Inventor CAD render of the full bucket elevator assembly for nut-kernel handling — **Full bucket elevator assembly** Full Autodesk Inventor assembly render of the bucket elevator, showing the horizontal conveyor section, vertical lift, bucket sequence, frame geometry, and overall material-handling route.

Autodesk Inventor CAD close-up of the upper bucket elevator section showing bucket routing and frame geometry — **Upper bucket elevator close-up** Upper bucket elevator close-up showing bucket routing around the top section, frame members, bucket spacing, and the geometry used to guide the return path.

Autodesk Inventor CAD close-up of bucket elevator and conveyor detail for nut-kernel handling — **Bucket elevator transfer detail** Autodesk Inventor close-up of the bucket elevator and conveyor interface for nut-kernel handling, showing bucket layout, frame geometry, and transfer-region packaging.

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Plant context photo Non-confidential photo or simple diagram showing the type of macadamia processing or production-floor environment you worked around.

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Factory layout / measurement sketch Annotated sketch or layout showing how plant-floor measurements were captured and converted into a usable CAD layout.

Autodesk Inventor CAD render of a latch mechanism designed during Johan van Tonder's Marquis Macadamias work experience — **Autodesk Inventor model** Autodesk Inventor render of a latch mechanism designed during the placement, showing the assembled lever, pivot, bracket, and mounting geometry.

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Fabrication drawing Cropped drawing sheet showing dimensions, tolerances, notes, material callouts, or GD&T-style detailing.

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BOM / part breakdown Non-confidential bill of materials or parts list showing how the design was prepared for manufacture or installation.

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Installation / commissioning support Photo, annotated sketch, or notes showing how contractor-manufactured parts were fitted, checked, or commissioned.

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Maintenance checklist digitisation Before/after style example showing paper maintenance checklists moving toward online / CMMS-style records.

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Inspection or condition monitoring task Inspection checklist, work order, or non-confidential example showing routine equipment checks or condition-monitoring support.

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Maintainability constraint Diagram showing operator access, cleaning access, production flow, guarding, or downtime constraints that shaped a design.

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Engineering takeaway Short summary graphic explaining what the placement taught about practical design, manufacturing constraints, and maintenance support.

Future additions

Add non-confidential CAD screenshots, drawing crops, and BOM examples from the placement.
Add a simple plant-equipment or material-flow diagram showing where the colour sorter, shaker grader, water sorter, air knife, conveyor, and bucket elevator sit in the process.
Add before/after documentation examples for maintenance checklist digitisation.
Add short captions explaining how each visual supports the engineering work rather than acting as decoration.