Talk-Polywell.org

Industrial, that is.
Went to Maker Faire NY today and I think I saw things as profound as the small computers circa 1977 or so. Lots of 3D printers and such. But I think the most profound thing is that a new form of engineering is emerging that combines all the disciplines, not as been heretofore, keeping them separate. If you are an engineer you won't be able to stay in your own mechanical, electrical or software world all by themselves anymore. You better know at least the basics or the kids I saw playing with those multifaceted toys will be eating your lunch. Pics, when I can upload them.

I was hoping to hear more about this. Could you elaborate on your thoughts about the multidisciplinary work?

The systems engineer in me is interested too

Here's a link to the pics I took:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 84e&type=1
I was sort of looking at things more from a tinkerer's and hobbyist's point of view than a traditional engineer's point of view. A hobbyist has to be able to solder, have highly capable hand tool skills and have a hands on approach to what he does, being more of a generalist than a specialist. More and more he also has the acess to the same tools that engineers have used. CAD programs and CNC machines aren't just for big companies anymore. To take this to the next level, additive manufacturing and othet new processes are requiring a more holostic approach to design. Right now, when my company designs a new analytical instrument the mechanical group designs the guts, the electronics group design up some boards, which the mechanicals throw around the instrument, the software group makes up some software that works some of the time, industrial design makes a pretty package and the whole mess is handed over to manufacturing with the instructions, "make this." I think that approach is going to change. I think that engineering is going to be more product oriented. Instead of a mechanical group, there will be a "phone group" where all the team members will be expected to any of the design tasks required. Also, it's more tham likely that your initial production runs will be made in your office, so any screwups show up real fast. From what I saw last weekend, the kids are already in tune with this, and we senior types had better get with the program or we are toast. I think that this is 1977 all over again.

Some of those are really neat, thanks for sharing.

Jccarlton wrote:Here's a link to the pics I took:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 84e&type=1
I was sort of looking at things more from a tinkerer's and hobbyist's point of view than a traditional engineer's point of view. A hobbyist has to be able to solder, have highly capable hand tool skills and have a hands on approach to what he does, being more of a generalist than a specialist. More and more he also has the acess to the same tools that engineers have used. CAD programs and CNC machines aren't just for big companies anymore. To take this to the next level, additive manufacturing and othet new processes are requiring a more holostic approach to design. Right now, when my company designs a new analytical instrument the mechanical group designs the guts, the electronics group design up some boards, which the mechanicals throw around the instrument, the software group makes up some software that works some of the time, industrial design makes a pretty package and the whole mess is handed over to manufacturing with the instructions, "make this." I think that approach is going to change. I think that engineering is going to be more product oriented. Instead of a mechanical group, there will be a "phone group" where all the team members will be expected to any of the design tasks required. Also, it's more tham likely that your initial production runs will be made in your office, so any screwups show up real fast. From what I saw last weekend, the kids are already in tune with this, and we senior types had better get with the program or we are toast. I think that this is 1977 all over again.

As a contractor I have had to think this way for decades.
I love this new environment. It raises my value.