We talk with electrical engineer Chris Gammell in this episode, discussing design tradeoffs, parametric part searches, and the manner in which design work is being altered by component manufacturers.
Adam finds that he doesn’t have much choice in choosing between mechanical, electrical, and software components; bridges pretty much have to be constructed of steel and concrete.
Jeff inquires about the possibility of Contextual Electronics handing out digital badges, but Chris is pretty emphatic that badging will not be part of his future efforts.
Adam notes that certifications beyond an engineering degree and a professional engineering license are needed for certain areas of civil engineering.
Chris suggests that newcomers to the electronics field should check out the community portion of parts.io.
Our guest suggests that ageism might make for an interesting topic of discussion in a future episode.
In this episode we chat with mechanical engineer Sam Feller about product design, power optimization, and drawing skills. Oh, and we talk about dunking cookies in milk… how can you beat that?
Adam continues working on a semi-automated system for brewing beer.
An xkcd comic suggests an optimal blood alcohol level for effective programming, otherwise known as the “Ballmer Peak.” There is at least a modicum of scientific evidence that this might be true.
While initially intrigued by its promotional pamphlet, our guest chose Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) for his engineering education because of the project-based curriculum.
The first product that Awkward Engineer brought to market was the Panic Button light switch.
Although initial sales of the light switch were not encouraging, Sam’s product eventually got picked up by retail website Think Geek.
To get his product carried in brick-and-mortar stores, Sam had to create appropriate packaging.
Our guest took drawing classes to improve his ability to convey ideas, starting at a local community college, and eventually moving on to the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt).
Sam feels that his ability to create CAD models is enhanced by his sketching skills.
While Moleskine is his notebook manufacturer of choice, Sam also likes drawing on stacks of printer paper.
Currently in development, the next major product from Awkward Engineer will be a voltmeter clock.
Initial development of the clock was carried out using a DigiSpark controller.
Careful attention to controller configuration and programming is crucial in allowing the clock to run for months on battery power.
Sam developed a transistor network to allow him flexibility in extending clock features.
Working with local suppliers makes Sam’s life easier, so he prefers to do so.
Although he started off as a mechanical engineer working at GM, Todd returned to school to get his master’s degree in electrical engineering.
Leveraging his prior work experience, our guest landed a marketing job covering the automotive industry for National Semiconductor. He eventually worked in the marketing, design and applications groups at Linear Technology.
A business that fabricates integrated circuits for other companies is known as a “foundry.”
Linear Technology is still selling the LT1001 op-amp that it designed in the early 1980s.
Semiconductor manufacturing equipment is often classified by the diameter of the silicon wafer it can handle.
Todd was motivated to start his blog about the history of analog electronics, Analog Footsteps, after the untimely death of legendary analog circuit designers Jim Williams and Bob Pease.
Bob Widlar was amazingly prolific as a designer, and also incredibly difficult to manage as an employee.
Carmen mentions the story of Bob Widlar and Bob Dobkin building a circuit to steal cycles from the wall outlet of National Semiconductor executive Pierre Lamond, thus causing his synchronous clock to lose time each day.
Todd describes the ability of young engineers to change entire industries in his post, When 30 Was Old.
Bob Swanson was the “business guy” who figured out how to make Linear Technology profitable in its early years, serving as the company’s president from 1981 to 1999, and its CEO from 1999 to 2005.
We talk with electrical engineer Chris Gammell in this episode, discussing design tradeoffs, parametric part searches, and the manner in which design work is being altered by component manufacturers.
