The Engineering Entrepreneur Podcast

The Window Wizard Invention – Robert Bowerman – Ep37

Robert Bowerman is the inventor of the Window Wizard, which is a tool to line up window frames and curtain rods to make sure they are level. The product is quite simple, but like any product, the process of getting it finished for sale is not simple.

Robert hired my company off of Thumbtack.com and from his sketches and information, we were able to make a CAD file of the product and 3D print a prototype. At that time, the product was a 2 piece design that slid into place and was glued to stay. It was originally made that way because the idea he had was that the injection mold would be too expensive if it was made in one-piece due to the size of the mold.

After meeting with one of my molding partners (PDQ South), we determined that indeed a one piece product made more sense. I updated the CAD file and the tool was made. Robert just got his first pieces from the tool and a little more touch up work is needed to be 100% ready.

Check out Robert’s product on his facebook page and website: https://www.facebook.com/windowwizardtool/

www.Windowwizardtool.com

To contact Robert: [email protected]

Key Takeaways

1. Mold process can take a long time

The Engineering Entrepreneur Podcast is produced by Scott Tarcy, President of CADdesignhelp.com. You can reach me at [email protected]

Bottle Cap Light Up Invention– Bart Briggs– Ep36

Bart Briggs is currently an engineer for Newell Brands (formerly Rubbermiade). Like myself, he graduated from Virginia Tech (he got a degree in Materials Science and Engineering)

After college he took a job with Halliburton, but despite excellent pay was experiencing job burnout. He decided to take a 40% pay cut to do what he really loves, which is design engineering. He says he is very happy with the decision.

In addition to his day job, he has a light up bottle cap invention that he is working on. It is patent pending and we discuss the next steps to the design and bringing it to market. I’ve helped him a little bit with the design.

Key Takeaways

1. I like Bart’s advice about not always following the money. Do what you love

1. To Contact Bart

a.       [email protected]

The Engineering Entrepreneur Podcast is produced by Scott Tarcy, President of CADdesignhelp.com. You can reach me at [email protected]

Integrating 3D Printing into Video Game Design– Amie DD– Ep35

Amie D Dansby (she goes by Amie DD) is a software game programmer, previously at Marvel Studios, working on Captain America and other titles. She then transitioned to Research and Development working with the PlayStation and Xbox. Currently she works at ATAT Tech, a robotics, augmented reality video game studio in Dallas, TX.

She went to school for game simulation and programming. We talk about how the video game industry has changed from writing games in code to now mostly being done in programs like Unity3D (using a graphical interface).

Then we turn the conversation into how she uses 3D printing for interactive video games. I didn’t even realize this, but now there are video games that integrate physical objects. For example, in this LEGO game, you have to first build the structure, then use your phone/tablet to scan it and the same structure appears in the game. Really cool stuff!.

She is using 3D printing at her current role in ATAT to create physical prototypes to test this concept on their games.

Key Takeaways

1. Not a bad idea to get a kit (build your own 3D printer) – to really learn how it works. However, it will take up a lot of your time from what I have been told

To Contact Amie

a.       Amiedd.com

b.       Twitter @amiedd

The Engineering Entrepreneur Podcast is produced by Scott Tarcy, President of CADdesignhelp.com. You can reach me at [email protected]

Unique 3D printing innovations (like printing furniture) – Eugene Pentland – ep 34

Eugene Pentland runs Pentland Designs (as a side job), a company that uses 3D printing to create every day mechanical solutions. He has come up with solutions like a quick access wallet, a solution to never needing to tie your shoes again, or sorting your spare change.

We discuss his role at Pico Turbine (his full time job) where they use 3D printing in a wide range of applications, like coming up with unique solutions for disabled kids at a rehab facility.

We also talk about a large format 3D printer that is used to 3D print office chairs (it uses a massive nozzle diameter of 3mm).

Some other areas touched on:

Eugene’s invention: shoe lace lock

What software does Eugene design in? – Mainly,  Autodesk fusion 360 but he also has used Solidworks and Creo parametric

Key Takeaways

1. At the beginning of our conversation, he warns about getting a low end 3D printer. There will probably be issues. But if you have time, it can also be a good way to learn the machine from having to do repairs

To Contact Eugene

a.       Eugenepentland.com

b.       Youtube channel

The Engineering Entrepreneur Podcast is produced by Scott Tarcy, President of CADdesignhelp.com. You can reach me at [email protected]

How to Validate Your Product Idea – Daryl Gibson– Ep33

Daryl Gibson is a thought leader and consultant in future trends, lean startup/agile methodologies, and building cultures of innovation. He is a serial entrepreneur, having start multiple businesses. His current project is InnovativeX, which is a site that provides the tools and resources to enable anyone to develop an idea from concept to market.

We explore his business with a few examples in the product development space. First, we discuss his idea of a board game that teaches the players the product development process. Then we discuss my product, The Selfie Glove, and what I have done and what I should do to continue market testing.

Key Takeaways

1. No matter how good you think your invention is, you need to go through the validation phase of product testing

To Contact Daryl

-          Linked

-          [email protected]

The Engineering Entrepreneur Podcast is produced by Scott Tarcy, President of CADdesignhelp.com. You can reach me at [email protected]

Pushing the limit of 3D printing and trying new 3D Printing Filament – Matthew Gorton– Ep32

Matthew Gorton is Mechanical Engineer who has transitioned from employee to entrepreneur. For many years, he worked at WL Gore, in both Arizona and Delaware. (WL Gore is best known for the Gore-Tex Brand). As an aside, I also worked there as a summer intern in 2006.

Matt has since left that job to pursue his passion of 3D printing as a full time career. His business is PrintedSolid, which is both an online and brick and motor 3D printer retailer. He sells many desktop 3D printers and materials, mostly the ColorFabb brand.

We discuss his transition into entrepreneurship. Then we get into a lot of 3D printing details and details on new materials for 3D printing. We also discuss a new metal desktop 3D printer.

Key Takeaways

1. Matt followed his dreams through and the business is succeeding. Don’t doubt yourself when you want to pursue your passions.

To contact Matt:

-          Twitter, Instagram: @printedsolid

-          PrintedSolid.com

The Engineering Entrepreneur Podcast is produced by Scott Tarcy, President of CADdesignhelp.com. You can reach me at [email protected]

Working as an Engineer for Caterpillar and Rubbermaid, and Creo versus Solidworks – Jon Klinger– Ep31

Jon Klinger has worked in the past for Caterpillar and Rubbermaid (now called Newell Brands). He has designed many interesting products, including edge belt conveyors, thermo-formed polycarbonate doors for the Skid steer D series, and Rubbermaid Fast Track parts.

Jon also is now working for me part time. In addition to his work history, we talked about the differences between Creo and Solidworks (both are 3D modeling programs).

Key Takeaways

1. Jon has worked on many different types of products, made from different manufacturing methods. This makes you a better designer and engineer to have a diverse background.

To Contact Jon

-          Linked: Jon Klinger

-          [email protected]

The Engineering Entrepreneur Podcast is produced by Scott Tarcy, President of CADdesignhelp.com. You can reach me at [email protected]

Former IDEO Mechanical Engineer turned Startup Freelance Consultant – Jen Davis-Wilson– Ep30

Jen Davis-Wilson worked for 12 years at IDEO. Since then, she has gone off on her own to be a startup freelance consultant. She typically works with clients in the San Francisco (Silicon Valley area).

While Jen and I are both Mechanical Engineers, our careers and the way we go about creating client projects is quite different and it was interesting to hear a different perspective on the process.

Some of the highlights/links we discuss:

• Industrial design versus Engineering

Key Takeaways

1. It was interesting to see how Jen’s process is compared to what I am used to. She tends to work with bigger startups than my company and as a result seems to have a bigger team on her end, often backed with IDEO employees.

To Contact Jen

Linked

[email protected]

The Engineering Entrepreneur Podcast is produced by Scott Tarcy, President of CADdesignhelp.com. You can reach me at [email protected]

Selling Old VCR tapes, Selfie-Glove Discussion, and other side hustles – Shane McLendon - Ep 29

Shame McLendon and I connected when he found my CADdesignhelp.com Facebook page. He was looking for guests on the Built in a Day Podcast. I went on the podcast and talked about product testing with the Selfie-Glove. This was in the fall of 2016.

Shane and I hadn’t talked in a while, so we did a podcast to catch up and throw around business ideas. Shane has quite a few side hustles, mostly as a copywriter. His current project is Theboxcrusher.com, which is a website to give blue collar workers ideas of how to get more customers for their business (think plumbers, welders, lawn mowing).

We also through around ideas on other products that might be good for me to make. The trick I have found about selling online is that you need to offer something a lot of people want. One big hit I have had is the Led Zeppelin object. We discuss some other products that might be good.

Key Takeaways

1. Have a big list of ideas to try. You really don’t know what’s going to work until you try it. Who would have guessed that old VCR tapes would be popular?

To Contact Shane

Go to his website: Theboxcrusher.com

The Engineering Entrepreneur Podcast is produced by Scott Tarcy, President of CADdesignhelp.com. You can reach me at [email protected]

Talking Product Design with a Stanley Black and Decker Engineering Manager – Terry Gonzales - Ep 28

Terry Gonzales is currently an Engineering Manager with Stanley Black and Decker in Southington Connecticut with hand tool and auto mechanic group. Terry was my first boss at my first job out of college. That was at United Pet Group in Blacksburg, VA (we called it Tetra because that was the main brand).

It was great catching up with Terry. We hadn’t really talked for a while in years. Both of our careers have gone different directions since our Tetra days. While I have gone the entrepreneur route, he has done a few different things and we discuss it. He started out in product design, then worked as sales engineer, then as a manufacturing engineer and now he has come full circle back to his passion, product design.

This is a great episode for anyone thinking about engineering as a career. You get a great feel for what you can do in the working world.

And of course, we talk about some 3D printing!

Key Takeaways

1. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Terry went from Tetra to Trimech because of his skills in Solidworks. The work was different but you never know what you will like doing until you try it.

To Contact Terry

Email: [email protected]

The Engineering Entrepreneur Podcast is produced by Scott Tarcy, President of CADdesignhelp.com. You can reach me at [email protected]