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    Napkin sketch brainstorming

    Napkin sketch brainstorming

    The only way to find good ideas is to have a lot of bad ideas.
    Waffle iron silicone parts

    Waffle iron silicone parts

    Keypads, diaphragm valves, ingress protection (waterproof seals), grips, overmolds, etc. What type of silicone/rubber molding process to use
    5 ways to reduce cost

    5 ways to reduce cost

    Here are 5 quick ways to reduce cost (and increase profits) in your device: Reduce labor: Simplify assembly processes Introduce fixtures...
    Mowing, Minor Leagues, and Molder Selection

    Mowing, Minor Leagues, and Molder Selection

    In plastics engineering, we regularly run into molding vendors that are in different leagues. Find a molding vendor that fits your needs.
    Spaghetti CAD

    Spaghetti CAD

    Inexperienced engineers can unintentionally create testing problems by creating unstable code. In software, they call this ‘spaghetti-code’
    McDonalds effect: SLA parts can be too accurate...

    McDonalds effect: SLA parts can be too accurate...

    Design your parts with your final production method in mind.
    Teardown Research: or, the YouTube rabbit hole

    Teardown Research: or, the YouTube rabbit hole

    Learn, learn, learn. Improve your product designs by emulating the experts.
    Start small: lessons from a Transformers RC

    Start small: lessons from a Transformers RC

    Working at a small scale reduced the labor and material costs of my prototype.
    How to select plastic resin for molding (scientific method)

    How to select plastic resin for molding (scientific method)

    For your next plastics selection, I recommend using a guide like this one...
    How to select plastic resin for molding (easy method)

    How to select plastic resin for molding (easy method)

    Here's the basic (shoot from the hip) method for plastic resin specification.
    Making a "Better" Mousetrap

    Making a "Better" Mousetrap

    I've learned that there are several ways to make a better product: Think about how your product will differentiate from the competition.
    SORRY! The Game - Cost Savings thru Design

    SORRY! The Game - Cost Savings thru Design

    I was playing the board game SORRY! the other day... But, I noticed that the game pieces looked slightly different than I remember.
    Reduce Assembly Cost with 3D Printed Jigs and Fixtures

    Reduce Assembly Cost with 3D Printed Jigs and Fixtures

    The opportunities for additive Jigs and Fixtures are everywhere.
    Two boy's different LEGO strategies

    Two boy's different LEGO strategies

    Don't wait until your design is 'finished' to build it.
    Design your next molded part with your vendor

    Design your next molded part with your vendor

    Injection Molding is a manufacturing process where molten plastic is squirted into a mold (steel or aluminum) to form a plastic part.
    Product Pricing: the Five Guys method

    Product Pricing: the Five Guys method

    Instead of trying to cut cost out of my design, we just need to sell more value. 
    Heat Staking to reduce assembly labor

    Heat Staking to reduce assembly labor

    Assembly labor includes things like inserting screws, applying adhesive, applying labels, kitting, packaging, etc. 
    Product Design: Creeping Elegance

    Product Design: Creeping Elegance

    As a product designer, I love to improve everything around me. Sometimes, even my own designs before they're done. 
    Reverse Engineering

    Reverse Engineering

    Improve your designs by tearing down electronics.
    Prototyping with Silicone

    Prototyping with Silicone

    It's possible to 3D print silicone-like materials, but you're usually better off casting silicone parts.
    3D Printing Tips for Prototyping

    3D Printing Tips for Prototyping

    Here's my top-of-mind Top 10 quick tips and tricks for leveraging 3D printing in your development workflow.
    Prototyping with Metal

    Prototyping with Metal

    When prototyping metal parts, my knee-jerk reaction is to get the parts CNC machined. But there are several other alternatives...
    Don't let Engineers define your Design

    Don't let Engineers define your Design

    Designers are the architects that see the whole solution end-to-end, and engineers help make it real. 
    Reduce COGS to quickly increase profits

    Reduce COGS to quickly increase profits

    Understanding the true value of your Research and Development investment.
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