Why Do We Make Prototypes?
It seems like a lot of work and cost to build a prototype — and perhaps a big unnecessary step. Why not just do the design really well, then send it to production? Why make prototypes?
Opportunity
What are the things you see as opportunities in the world? Here are some short articles involving good Questions of Why and How from The Engineer’s perspective. Opportunity comes in the new, certainly, but also in evaluating the current, and re-thinking the old. What can we improve in the world to make it a better place? These are some of our thoughts.
Business Solutions Through Engineering Design
In how many ways can your company benefit from improvements by design? It’s not a rhetorical question. Engineering design precipitates so many areas, and a design touch may well increase your profitability. Maybe drastically! Now that’s business solutions. Often the word “Design” is interpreted as “Art” or “Style”. We certainly like to put Style with […]
The Triangle of Achievable Engineering
You want High Performance! Absolutely. You want it Cheap! Of course. Only the best in Quality! We agree. Now let me show you this cool new material
A Best Business Strategy
How does your company protect against competitive threats? What is your long-game business strategy? How do you thwart market changes?
Total Design
The Blend of Science, Function & Style
What is ‘Total Design’? I suppose many definitions exist, but we like to encapsulate the concept as the ‘Elegant Solution’. It involves more than just the look or the feel of a product. It includes
How To: Success With Your Consulting Engineer
For some, there is anxiety in hiring a consulting engineer. Others thrive with Consultants. Still others, have been there, but the experience wasn’t good — too much money without the desired result. Is it the Consultant? Or the Client? Or . . . ??
How To Find The Right Engineering Consultant
There are times you need additional insight with a project or problem. If you have not sought out or worked with an Engineering Consultant before, the thought of finding the right one can be a little daunting. After all, you will rely deeply
Are You Willing To Stop Gun Violence?
My heart aches for those touched by the terror of shooting violence — in any of our yesterdays. I just can’t wrap my mind around WHY. Why do we, yes, You and I, accept and perhaps even encourage
Prototypes: 3D Printing or Machining
We love the expansion of technology in rapid prototyping (like 3D Printing) with new materials almost daily. While technology is ever improving, the boundaries for choosing the best
A Reason To Love OR Hate — SolidWorks OR Creo
If you read our other posts discussing SolidWorks or Creo, then you know we use and value both. Of course, in the CAD industry there is a constant bit of bantering
Design Review – The Power Of Mingling Minds
What happened at your last design review? Think about it, was it valuable? Maybe more than you think . . .
The Practical Side of Engineering
Numbers are exact, and engineering is full of numbers. The world, on the other hand is imprecise and full of all sorts of anomalies. Where does that leave engineering?
Pros and Cons: Foreign Manufacturing or Domestic?
It’s a dilemma: Should you get the widget made offshore? Or at Home? There are a lot of interrelated and complex parts to answering this question,
Have You Ever Asked: “What Bonehead Designed This?”
OK, be honest. It’s rude, but really . . . How many times have you asked this, or a similar question? Did you find a customer use case that the designers didn’t think about?
How Do You Know Who To Believe?
I visited a link on YouTube the other day, and on completion, it gave a “next up” that caught my attention. The title is “Torsion vs Leaf Spring Suspension …”. Since I engineer trailers with both
Inventions That Didn’t Happen
The USPTO (United States Patent Office) is full of patents for inventions that did not launch. At Synthesis we’ve seen some amazing ideas that have not materialized in the marketplace. Why?
A Bike Invention – Variation On A Theme
Recycling is sometimes called a “Best Friend of the Planet”. Does that include recycling bike invention ideas too?
Creo (Pro/Engineer) vs. SolidWorks — More Fuel in the Debate
Which is better? (Pro/E) Creo vs SolidWorks? That debate has raged for years, and here is some more fuel to the fire.
Is Terrible Customer Service Ever OK?
Every book I’ve read about succeeding in business talks about the customer experience — from first inquiries, through the sales process and on to resolving issues.
Bicycle Industry Innovation
I’ve heard it said there are more patents for bicycle related inventions than for any other industry. Is that true? If it is, then what drives bicycle industry innovation?
3D CAD System Interaction
As part of an experimental project, we combined 3D CAD System files of Pro/Engineer with SolidWorks. The physical project is an experiment with concept applications in trailer design, and since
FAQ – Will You Trade Engineering For Equity?
Many new inventors (and some small companies) have approached us with questions about trading Engineering Services for part ownership in their company. We believe that
Can You Become More Creative?
So much is written about Creative People and even more about the Creative Process. Obviously in design engineering, Innovative Thinking (Creativity) is absolutely essential. So how do you become creative?
The SEO Fallacy & 5 Reasons to Skip It
I have just GOT to get my site to rank better on Google! But How? There is so much conflicting info about Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
When Popular Opinion Overshadows Cognitive Thinking
– Bicycle Tire Pressure
“Oh Man! I got these babies down to 20 PSI — they’re gonna hookup today.” Then a few hours later “Hello, bike shop? Can you repair . . .
My Competitor Has A New Patent . . .
Your competitor just released a new product that has your customers talking. Yeah, it’s pretty cool, and also scary — particularly when they have a new patent. Now what can you do?
What do you think of SolidWorks?
I’ve asked the question about SolidWorks many times, and the answers are polar. People love it, or they dislike it. There is not much gray area. Why?
Optimizing The Design Process
The Quest: From concept, through the design process, and on to production in the shortest time with the least cash. What’s possible?
What is the Cost Of Change?
Sure, we can change that. No problem. Engineering Change Request(s) are common through development (and often well beyond), but what is the REAL cost?
Where Does The Customer Fit In Quality Control?
How many times have you, as a customer, felt like a Quality Control Guinea Pig when you’ve purchased a product?