Being an Engineer

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In the fourth episode of How to Accelerate the Speed of Engineering, host Aaron Moncur interviews Tony Dietz. . Tony emphasized the importance of clear communication, focusing on objectives, deadlines, and effort levels. Dietz shared examples from his diverse background, including a NASA wind tunnel project and a cost-effective earplug test using a $7 heating pad. He highlighted the value of field interaction with customers and using simple tools like Lego for prototyping. Dietz also stressed the need for daily team meetings to maintain focus and address roadblocks. He warned against rushing critical tasks without proper analysis, citing a failed superconducting cable test as an example.

Main Topics Covered:

• Communication and Bottlenecks in Engineering Projects
• Ignoring the Customer and Tools for Failure
• Creating Psychologically Safe Environments
• Cross-Disciplinary Communication and Documentation
• Introducing New Technologies and Tools
• Unconventional Approaches and Field Interaction
• Lessons from Failed Attempts to Accelerate Engineering
• Key Factors in Accelerating Engineering

About the guest: Tony Dietz is the President of Paxauris, where he leads the development of innovative hearing protection products. With over 30 years of experience, he previously worked at Creare, leading R&D projects in advanced airdrop technology and cryogenic systems, and at NASA Ames as a Senior Research Scientist. Earlier, he served as an Engineering Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force. Tony holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor’s in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Sydney.

Links:
Tony Dietz - LinkedIn

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The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

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In this episode, host Aaron Moncur interviews Bradley Rothenberg about nTopology and its unique approach to computational design and engineering software. Bradley discusses the origins of nTopology and how it differs from traditional CAD tools. He explains how nTopology captures requirements in algorithms rather than geometry definitions. Bradley also covers nTopology’s applications in additive manufacturing and its tight integration with simulation tools.

Main Topics:

• The founding of Ntopology and Bradley's background 
• Computational design approach vs traditional CAD modeling
• Implicit modeling technology and sign distance fields
• Applications in additive manufacturing and complex geometries
• Integration with simulation tools like ANSYS and LS-DYNA
• Process for exporting/importing models with other CAD systems
• Determining when Ntopology is the right solution

About the guest: Bradley Rothenberg is the founder and CEO of nTopology, a company pioneering next-generation engineering software for advanced manufacturing. Launched in 2015, nTopology enables engineers to create complex, optimized geometries, primarily for sectors like aerospace, automotive, and medical devices. With a background in architecture from Pratt Institute, Brad brings a unique perspective to computational design, bridging the gap between form and functionality in additive manufacturing.

Links:
Bradley Rothenberg - LinkedIn
nTopology Website

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The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

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In this episode, Aaron Moncur interviews Istvan Csanady, the founder and CEO of Shaper3D, a pioneering 3D modeling app that is transforming the CAD industry. Istvan discusses Shaper3D's vision to create a powerful, yet intuitive CAD tool for the modern era, focusing on mobility, ease of use, and collaboration. He shares insights into the company's business strategy, the challenges of balancing simplicity and sophistication, and the exciting roadmap for future features.

Main Topics:

• Shaper 3D's approach to reinventing CAD for the 21st century
• The importance of mobility and native application support
• Balancing ease of use with the sophistication of modern CAD tools
• Shaper 3D's business strategy and first sales
• Positioning Shaper 3D in the CAD market
• Winning the Apple Design Award and its impact
• Future roadmap, including collaboration features and private cloud architecture

About the guest:István Csanády is the Founder and CEO of Shapr3D, a pioneering 3D modeling app that has transformed the CAD industry by making professional design tools more accessible and intuitive. Starting with a vision to create a powerful CAD tool for the iPad Pro, Shapr3D has since expanded to macOS and Windows, gaining recognition such as the Apple Design Award. Under István's leadership, the company has continuously innovated, raising significant venture capital to support its growth​.

Links:
István Csanády - LinkedIn
Shapr3D Website

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The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

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In this third episode of the special series on Accelerating the Speed of Engineering, Joe Moak discusses key bottlenecks like changing requirements, development failures, and design challenges. He also covers strategies for managing scope changes, balancing problem-solving with team development, using tools to fail fast and cheaply, implementing checklists for success, and fostering psychological safety. Joe shares unconventional methods to expedite engineering, along with guiding principles and behaviors for teams.

Main Topics:

• Engineering acceleration challenges
• Managing scope changes and team dynamics
• Tools for rapid, inexpensive testing
• Checklists for engineering success
• Importance of psychological safety
• Unconventional methods to fast-track engineering
• Governing principles and behaviors in engineering

About the guest: Joe Moak is a seasoned mechanical engineer and product architect with a deep commitment to creating sustainable, user-centric products. Currently, he serves as a Senior Product Architect at Meta, where he focuses on introducing new technologies and developing product architectures. Joe is also the Founder and Chief Engineer at Maestro PD, a design engineering firm dedicated to helping clients bring high-quality hardware products to market. His extensive experience includes leadership roles at companies like Apple, Sonos, and NeuroPace, where he has driven innovation across various product lines. 

Links:
Joe Moak - LinkedIn
Maestro PD Website

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

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This is the second episode in a series focused on how to accelerate the speed of engineering. Callye Keen shares his insights and strategies for speeding up engineering projects, including addressing common bottlenecks, leveraging cross-functional collaboration, and utilizing tools and technologies to improve efficiency.

Main Topics:

• Balancing autonomy and asking for help among engineers
• Strategies for failing fast and inexpensively through prototyping
• Importance of creating a psychologically safe environment for engineers
• Best practices for cross-functional team collaboration
• Effective tools and technologies for accelerating engineering
• Lessons learned from attempts to speed up projects

About the guest: Callye Keen is a dynamic figure in the world of manufacturing and entrepreneurship, known for his deep expertise in product development and his role as a consultant and coach for innovators. He is the founder of Red Blue Collective and K-Form, where he has helped design and manufacture hundreds of products, particularly focusing on transitioning from prototype to mass production. Callye is also the host of "End Hype" and "The Startup Defense" podcasts, where he explores the intersection of innovation, manufacturing, and defense.

Links:
Callye Keen - LinkedIn
Kform Website

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

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In this first episode of a special series on tools for accelerating engineering, host Aaron Moncur engages in a thought-provoking conversation with TJ Strang, an experienced leader in the medical device industry. Together, they explore the challenges that often hinder engineering projects and share insights on how to overcome them. The discussion covers a wide range of topics, focusing on ways to enhance efficiency, support team development, and improve communication within engineering teams.

Main Topics:

• Common bottlenecks in engineering projects
• Balancing help-seeking and independent learning for junior engineers 
• The role of psychological safety in engineering teams
• Leadership's impact on engineering project speed
• Tools and technologies for accelerating engineering
• Unconventional approaches to expediting engineering processes
• Optimizing communication for faster engineering

About the guest: TJ Strang, is a distinguished leader in the medical device industry. With a career spanning over two decades at companies like Abbott, and St. Jude Medical, and Acutus Medical, he has led groundbreaking projects in electrophysiology, cardiac rhythm management, and leadless pacemakers. TJ’s expertise in assembling and leading top-tier R&D teams, driving products from concept to market, and overall engineering innovation makes him the perfect guest to start this series. TJ currently serves as VP of Engineering at Atraverse Medical, which is developing cutting-edge left-heart access technologies.

Links:
TJ Strang - LinkedIn

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

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In this episode, Edward Jaeck shares his insights on accelerating the speed of engineering. He discusses his experiences at companies like Intel, Medtronic, and Lowell, and how those shaped his approach to growth and quality management at SINE18. Edward delves into topics such as the use of Minitab and other data analysis tools, supply chain management, the importance of GD&T in product design, strategic planning for engineering businesses, and the impact of FDA regulations on medical device innovation. He also shares practical tips on using design of experiments (DOE) and metrology matching to optimize engineering designs and improve quality control.

Main Topics:

• Time-saving techniques in medical device manufacturing
• Engineering career path, company strategy, and quality management
• Working at Intel, learning from best-in-class processes and tools
• Using Minitab for data analysis in quality assurance
• Using Excel and other software for data analysis and quality control
• Supply chain management, supplier quality, and design engineering
• Importance of GD&T in product design and quality control
• Strategic planning for businesses with a focus on engineering
• FDA regulations and their impact on medical device innovation
• Using design of experiments (DOE) to optimize engineering designs
• Metrology matching for quality control in manufacturing
• Rapid prototyping, design for manufacturability, and critical feature confirmation in medical device design

About the guest: Edward Jaeck is a distinguished engineering professional with a robust career spanning over two decades in design, manufacturing, quality, and program management. Currently, he serves as the President of SINE18, LLC, where he provides strategic guidance in manufacturing and quality to various clients. His previous roles include Vice President of Operations and Quality as well as Vice President of Strategic Growth and Business Development at Lowell, Inc. At Medtronic, he held roles as a Principal Component Engineer and Principal Design Assurance Engineer.

Edward's experience is further highlighted by his tenure at Intel Corporation, where he managed significant R&D projects and contributed to the development of numerous patents in electronic packaging. Lastly, Edward conceived and patented a reconfigurable vehicle body and truckbed.

Links:
Edward Jaeck - LinkedIn
SINE18 Website

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

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In this episode, Aaron Moncur interviews Devon Copeland. The conversation covers topics such as the engineering decision-making process, the importance of side projects, traceability in manufacturing, implementing a Manufacturing Execution System (MES), and strategies for accelerating engineering speed.

Main Topics:

• Copeland's childhood experiences that inspired him to become an engineer
• Engineering projects, such as the American Solar Challenge, and communication strategies
• Insights from working at Apple and Tesla, including the art and science of engineering decision-making
• The value of side projects and how they can benefit an engineering career
• Traceability in manufacturing, including digital twins and automated inspection
• Using Serial's data analysis tools to improve manufacturing processes
• Implementing an MES and preparing for the integration process
• Challenges and solutions for Serial as a startup, including getting the word out and accelerating engineering speed

About the guest: Devon Copeland is an accomplished engineer with extensive experience in hardware engineering and product design. He is currently the Co-founder and CTO of Serial, a company that aims to streamline manufacturing data analysis, making it easier for engineers to identify and resolve production issues swiftly. Devon's background includes significant roles at Apple, Tesla, and Aeryon Labs, where he contributed to the development of high-profile projects like the Apple Watch Ultra and the Tesla Model 3.

Links:
Devon Copeland - LinkedIn
Serial Website

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

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In this episode, Aaron Moncur interviews Todd Mansfield. They discuss Todd's career journey, his work at companies like House of Design Robotics and Echo Safety Group, and his current role at OneIPM, where he focuses on integrated project management solutions. They cover  topics such as the benefits of OneIPM's seamless integration with Onshape, the future of CAD software, the use of Agile methodologies in hardware teams, and strategies for accelerating engineering speed.

Main Topics:

• Todd Mansfield's engineering career path and integrated project management solutions
• Integrated project management software for CAD and non-CAD users, with seamless Onshape integration
• Onshape's integration with OneIPM for real-time collaboration and project management
• CAD software and its future in the industry
• Automation in the construction industry, product development, and high volume product launches
• Agile development, team collaboration, and streamlining product development
• Accelerating engineering speed with OneIPM

About the guest: Todd Mansfield is a seasoned product development leader with over 25 years of experience, known for his strategic growth and innovation in various industries. Currently, he is the Vice President of Product at OneIPM, where he focuses on integrated project management solutions. Todd's career spans multiple leadership roles, including President and COO at House of Design Robotics and VP of Global Engineering at ECCO Safety Group. He holds degrees in Applied Technology, Computer Aided Manufacturing Technology, and Aircraft Maintenance Technology from Boise State University and Idaho State University.

Links:
Todd Mansfield - LinkedIn

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

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In this episode, Jad Allam discusses his journey into engineering, starting as a process engineer at Applied Medical and eventually becoming a Group Vice President. He shares his experiences in scaling up the Gen 2 Voyant device production, including the challenges faced and how his team overcame them. Jad also talks about his involvement in educational initiatives as the chairman of the board of the International School for Science and Culture.

Main Topics:

• Jad Allam's path to becoming an engineer
• His career progression at Applied Medical, from process engineer to Group Vice President
• The scaling up of the Gen 2 Voyant device production and the challenges encountered
• Jad's contributions to educational initiatives as the chairman of the board for the International School for Science and Culture

About the guest: Jad Allam is an accomplished Group Vice President at Applied Medical, specializing in product development, analytics, and finance. With over 16 years of experience, he has led cross-functional teams to enhance manufacturing efficiency and product quality. Jad's notable achievements include the development of the Gen 2 Voyant generators and devices, increasing their yield significantly and boosting profitability. He holds advanced degrees in Engineering and Operations Research and actively contributes to educational initiatives as Chairman of the Board for the International School for Science and Culture in Costa Mesa, CA.

Links:
Jad Allam - LinkedIn

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus