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Engineering Design with Caleb Vainikka
Learn how to design, freelance, and become an excellent engineer
Camden Shuman
May 28, 2024
Hey there 👋 ,
Part of being a great engineer is having the ability to create designs that can be manufactured.
You may have great ideas and CAD models, but if they can’t be manufactured they are unfortunately pretty worthless.
I don’t want you to waste your great ideas or your time, so I asked prototyping expert Caleb Vainikka several questions to help us think about design as engineers.
But first, why Caleb?
Glad you asked :)
He owns and operates COVE Design, an engineering design agency focused on partnering with companies to develop incredible hardware products.
He has worked with Nike, Medtronic, and Stratasys to name a few of his clients.
Alright, Let’s dive in 👇🏼
What Skills Differentiate Successful Design Engineers?
“I think the most successful engineers I've worked with have a success-oriented mindset and a bias towards action.“
How do you balance innovation and feasibility in design?
“I continuously verify my innovative designs with manufacturing to ensure feasibility.
This means that I'm constantly learning new manufacturing techniques, which, when understood is its own kind of innovation.
They were smart people that came before us to develop manufacturing technology, we don't have to reinvent the wheel.”
What advice would you give to new engineers?
Pick up the phone and call suppliers and manufacturers.
Don't email them.
Don't text them.
It's called phone anxiety and it's a real thing. I think it's generational.
Pick up the phone and call.
All the answers to all your design problems are on the other end of the phone.
What personal projects should engineers work on to develop a complete understanding of DFX?
“DFX is a huge field.
Design for Injection molding.
Design for weight
Design for Cost
Design for additive
Design for CNC
Design for ___________
The list goes on and on...
Let's start with Design for Additive.
Find a object that is manufactured, in a traditional way (ie not additive manufactured)
Pick a technology that you want to use.
Learn about that technologies design requirements.
Redesign the part following the design requirements.
Submit the part for quote, and listen to the feedback from the supplier.
If you submitted to an online automatic quoting engine, and you're feeling confused about the results, then return to step three and call the supplier to learn about that process.
Repeat for any other process.”
How can an engineer create their own design consultancy/freelancing opportunities?
“There are several online freelancer marketplaces where you can start to get some initial projects.
I say take the initiative and do your own design project.
Build something!
If you don't know software, hire a software engineer, and take note of how easy it is to work with them.
What do they do that makes it easy to keep paying them?
Do they over communicate?
Do they go silent?
Did they define requirements before they start designing?
Take notes.
These are things that you will want to do or not do if you want to be a successful independent resource.
People hire people and they hire people that help them.
In the end... nobody wants your time, they just want your help.”
What is the best way to collaborate/ form relationships with suppliers, non-technical clients who are stakeholders on projects, and clients in companies like Medtronic, Nike, and Stratasys?
“Be vulnerable
Keep in touch regularly.
Make sure agreements are clear.
Be reliable
Plan together.
...and always be professional.”
Helpful Resources:
Want to augment your summer learning and master the practical skills needed to be a successful engineer 👇🏼
Need design and prototyping services?
Look no further than COVE Design. They have helped design products for Nike, Medtronic, and Stratasys.
Photo of the Week:
Shot by Tomáš Malík
Action Steps:
From Caleb’s recommendations, what are you going to implement today? Will you call a supplier or machine shop and ask them some questions? Will you learn more about DFX? Will you build something? I’d love to hear about your experiences with these, so please reply to this email :)
Rock on,
Camden
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