A Map of the Automation Hardware Territory
Lets talk about modern software approaches to traditional manufacturing automation! This post details a mental model that will be useful for other engineers entering the field of industrial automation.
EngineerDog.com
Homepage for Michael's Science Projects & Maker Tips
Latest posts
Treasure Hunting with Design for Emergence
Last month I felt lucky for the rare opportunity to share my interests on a stage. Portland s annual hardware hacking conference Teardown attracts an audience of tech-savvy artists entrepreneurial minded open-source hardware enthusiasts that I knew would be receptive to my general message. (Great people event, I do recommend) My presentation, Opportunities Everywhere! [ ]
10 Practical Tips for Designing Custom PCB Art!
Printed circuit boards are widely recognized for their essential role in electronics tech, but I think they have underappreciated potential as an artistic medium too. The PCB badge projects you see at hacker conferences always catch my eye for their unique look and creativity. For a prime example, check out the world s thinnest boombox PCB. [ ]
Are home solar panels a good investment? 7 Tips and my review after a full year!
In this post I share actual numbers from my experience buying solar panels as an alternative investment.
Unintentional Puzzles: The 4 Universal Qualities of Everything that Confounds Us
As a father of 2 software designer I guide people as they engage with new-to-them technology almost every day. They need to succeed within a short window or else frustration sets in. In this post I share a unique approach to identifying the root of problems for designing better tools to prevent your creations from becoming unintentional puzzles.
Why do so many programmers want to be farmers? + How to build a corrugated steel garden box
There s a common sentiment among programmers that they d rather be gardening, of all things. Sounds funny if you can t relate, but try sitting inside focusing on screens all day every day soon you ll be daydreaming about the backyard too. I bet a LOT of tech workers can relate to those tweets. Not that [ ]
Why Engineers LOVE Modular Design
If ever there were an appropriate use of the clickbait sounding phrase "one weird trick" then this would be it. In this post I take a deeper look at how to better use an extremely effective design trick: Modularity. (Plus a 3d printable catapult!)
The Improviser vs The Conformist: What Habits Make for a Great Chef?
(6 minute read) Dear friends, there is a tale, In a small town there was a baker whose talent was well known throughout the land. His bakery, so renowned it was that passerby were known to adjust their routes so as to smell his delicious bread in passing. But one day his fame attracted the [ ]
‘Moneyball’ for Etsy Listings: Data-Driven Strategies to Find the Best Craft Opportunities!
Product development is costly, so how do you figure out what's going to win before spending time to develop it? In this article I share a new system of data-driven metrics that revolutionized my crafting-for-profit strategy! Plus 4 free resources to level up your craft business!
Value Added Work Creates Prosperity…But For Whom?
Anyone concerned with professional growth compensation should ask themselves: 'For whom am I producing value?' The optimal course of action may not be what you think!