Being an Engineer

Send us a textThis episode is the chicken soup for the soul of engineering. Without a doubt, the most inspirational episode we’ve recorded to date as Andy shares with us how he and his company have helped elevate those in poverty and given their lives purpose and success. Along the way, he shares some very practical info about manufacturing tolerances and growing a manufacturing business, as well. Main Topics Covered:Andy Wells' early life and introduction to engineeringDeveloping creativity and early inventionsTransition to formal education and early careerFounding Wells Technology and early challengesBuilding customer relationships and marketing strategiesManufacturing challenges and design for manufacturability (DFM)Social engineering project and giving backBalancing quality, price, and deliveryPersonal reflections and final thoughtsAbout the guest: Andy Wells is the founder and CEO of Wells Technology, a manufacturing company in Minnesota. Andy has degrees in physics and technology as well as decades of practical experience in design, materials, processes, and entrepreneurship. Over the years Wells Tech has grown from serving the aerospace industry to automotive, medical, defense, and food processing, and developed services in distribution, and training for manufacturing technologists.Links:Andy Wells - LinkedInWells Technology WebsiteDownload the Essential Guide to Designing Test Fixtures: https://pipelinemedialab.beehiiv.com/test-fixtureAbout Being An Engineer The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community. 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 such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

Send us a textIn this episode of the Being An Engineer Podcast, Geoff Gaw discusses his journey into engineering, the unique processes and challenges involved in metal manufacturing, and strategies for leading teams in highly regulated environments. Geoff also delves into the alignment of product development with process development, staying up to date with emerging technologies, the future of the medical device industry, and ways to accelerate the speed of engineering.Main Topics:Geoff's path to becoming an engineer and the inspiration behind his career choiceUnique processes and challenges in metal manufacturing, particularly with nitinolStrategies for managing teams in highly regulated environments like the medical device industryAligning product development with process development and the transition from R&D to mass productionApproaches to staying informed about emerging technologies and trends in the industryPredictions for the future of the medical device industry, including the integration of AITechniques for accelerating the speed of engineering projectsAbout the guest: Geoff Gaw is an experienced mechanical engineer specializing in the medical device industry. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering and minors in Materials Science and Energy Engineering from Cal Poly Pomona, he has held leadership roles at Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, and Applied Medical. His expertise spans project management, product and process development, and manufacturing support. He has overseen the development of complex medical devices, scaling teams, and driving operational excellence from early development stages to mass production. Currently, he serves as a Sr. Principal Engineer at Edwards Lifesciences.Links:Geoff Gaw -  LinkedInDownload the Essential Guide to Designing Test Fixtures: https://pipelinemedialab.beehiiv.com/test-fixtureAbout Being An Engineer The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community. 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 such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

Send us a textIn the seventh episode of How to Accelerate the Speed of Engineering, host Aaron Moncur welcomes David Malouf. David shares insights on overcoming common engineering challenges, employing effective tools and techniques, fostering psychological safety, and experimenting with new technologies and unconventional approaches to streamline workflows.Main Topics Covered:Introduction to RF engineering and David Malouf's backgroundChallenges in defining objectives and managing stakeholder expectationsTools for failing fast and inexpensively, including the use of checklists and project management systemsThe importance of clear communication and technical writing skillsFostering psychological safety and encouraging participation from younger engineersExperiences with introducing new project management tools to improve efficiencyLessons learned from project backfires and the importance of following established processesUnconventional approaches to expedite engineering, such as rapid prototyping and 3D printingAbout the guest: David Malouf is a highly skilled Senior RF Design Engineer with over 13 years of experience, currently at Corning Incorporated. He has an extensive background in project planning, mechanical and RF design, and process optimization. With multiple patents to his name, David is adept at translating complex technical concepts into accessible ideas for non-experts. His previous roles include engineering positions at Benchmark Automation and Atlas Material Testing Technology, where he led product innovations and testing for advanced industrial systems. David holds a BS in Electromechanical Engineering from Vermont Technical College.Links:David Malouf - LinkedInDownload the Essential Guide to Designing Test Fixtures: https://pipelinemedialab.beehiiv.com/test-fixtureAbout Being An Engineer The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community. 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 such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

Send us a textThis is a continuation in our ongoing series about How to Accelerate the Speed of Engineering. The discussion covers topics such as the importance of planning and execution, balancing problem-solving and asking for help, the role of checklists, the impact of leadership and team culture, effective communication and collaboration, risk management and building relationships, and lessons learned from past challenges.Main Topics:The balance between speeding up projects and avoiding unforced errorsThe use of tools like Notion and Loom to improve productivity and efficiencyThe role of leadership in building a strong team cultureApproaches to risk management and the value of building relationshipsLessons learned from implementing new processes and toolsAbout the guest: Brad Hirayama is an experienced engineer and program manager specializing in medical devices, with a focus on new product development (NPD), biomedical devices, and process validation. Currently a Staff Engineer, he drives innovation in electrophysiology (EP) products. Brad's background includes roles at Abbott and NuVera Medical, where he contributed to the development of catheters and other vascular technologies. He has expertise in design thinking, FDA compliance, and leadership, all while embodying a passion for connecting people and technologies in impactful ways.Links:Brad Hirayama - LinkedInDownload the Essential Guide to Designing Test Fixtures: https://pipelinemedialab.beehiiv.com/test-fixtureAbout Being An Engineer The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community. 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 such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

Send us a textIn the fifth episode of How to Accelerate the Speed of Engineering, host Aaron Moncur interviews Jim Gabriel. Jim shares his insights on overcoming common bottlenecks, effective decision-making, fostering psychological safety, cross-functional collaboration, data-driven performance improvement, and lessons learned from attempts to expedite engineering processes.Main Topics:Identifying and addressing bottlenecks in engineering projectsEmpowering teams to make effective decisionsBalancing autonomy and guidance for engineersFailing fast and failing cheap to drive innovationThe role of leadership in creating a culture of accelerationStrategies for enhancing cross-functional collaborationLeveraging data and metrics to improve team performanceIntroducing new technologies and tools to streamline engineeringUnconventional approaches to expedite engineeringEnhancing communication and meeting effectivenessLessons learned from attempts to accelerate engineeringAbout the guest: Jim Gabriel is a seasoned engineering leader whose most recent expertise lies in the medical device industry. As the Associate Director of Engineering at Abiomed, he played a crucial role in leading teams focused on the development of cutting-edge heart pump technologies that save lives. Jim holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering from Western Michigan University and a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from Northeastern University.Links:Jim Gabriel - LinkedInArchangel Operations WebsiteDownload the Essential Guide to Designing Test Fixtures: https://pipelinemedialab.beehiiv.com/test-fixtureAbout Being An Engineer The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community. 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 such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

Tony Dietz, President of Paxauris and former NASA Senior Research Scientist, shares his extensive engineering experience. He discusses the critical role of communication in projects, illustrating how simplicity fosters creativity. Dietz also explores innovative solutions like sous vide cooking for efficient engineering practices. The conversation highlights the importance of psychological safety in teams and quirky productivity methods, such as tea time, to enhance collaboration. He wraps up by detailing the rapid development of an innovative inflatable earplug set to revolutionize hearing protection.

Send us a textIn 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 modelingImplicit modeling technology and sign distance fieldsApplications in additive manufacturing and complex geometriesIntegration with simulation tools like ANSYS and LS-DYNAProcess for exporting/importing models with other CAD systemsDetermining when Ntopology is the right solutionAbout 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 - LinkedInnTopology WebsiteDownload the Essential Guide to Designing Test Fixtures: https://pipelinemedialab.beehiiv.com/test-fixtureAbout Being An Engineer The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community. 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 such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

Send us a textIn 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 centuryThe importance of mobility and native application supportBalancing ease of use with the sophistication of modern CAD toolsShaper 3D's business strategy and first salesPositioning Shaper 3D in the CAD marketWinning the Apple Design Award and its impactFuture roadmap, including collaboration features and private cloud architectureAbout 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 WebsiteDownload the Essential Guide to Designing Test Fixtures: https://pipelinemedialab.beehiiv.com/test-fixtureAbout Being An Engineer The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community. 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 such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

Send us a textIn 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 challengesManaging scope changes and team dynamicsTools for rapid, inexpensive testingChecklists for engineering successImportance of psychological safetyUnconventional methods to fast-track engineeringGoverning principles and behaviors in engineeringAbout 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 - LinkedInMaestro PD WebsiteDownload the Essential Guide to Designing Test Fixtures: https://pipelinemedialab.beehiiv.com/test-fixtureAbout Being An Engineer The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community. 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 such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

Callye Keen, an expert in engineering strategies and founder of Red Blue Collective and K-Form, discusses essential methods for speeding up engineering projects. He emphasizes balancing autonomy with seeking help and the importance of creating a psychologically safe environment. Keen explains how to identify and overcome bottlenecks while fostering effective cross-functional collaboration. He also shares insights on rapid prototyping, embracing failure, and leveraging modern tools like cloud-based CAD for improved teamwork and efficiency.