Innovate3D

Time Magazine Features Innovate3D Engineer's Work

John Gallina, pictured here on the cover of Time magazine (left), is wearing a prosthesis designed by a team including no other than Innovate3D's own Kenan Wollborg.

(link to cover story, image courtesy of Time)

I asked Kenan a few questions about it.

What is the make and model?
It is made by College Park, Inc. and it is the Soleus product.
[find out more at http://www.college-park.com/soleus.html ]

What was the role you played in its design or manufacture?
I helped from the early concept to production. My role involved design and manufacturability evaluation. I also helped tune the dynamics of the springs to hit specific criteria. In additon, I developed the processes used to produce the product.

Is this foot specialized for any particular purpose?
It is designed for a smooth walking gate, this helps the amputee have less fatigue on the residual limb. The product also benefits from the unique spring arrangement.

Tell me more about the spring.
The springs work together to provide a balanced and dynamic energy return. Any one spring alone would not have the dampening characteristics that the Soleus spring assembly has. From the time of heel strike to toe off, the springs work together to absorb and return energy.

 

Big Dreams in Detroit

Detroit. Motown. At one time a record label of the Four Tops, the Supremes. But really Motown is Motor City. Cars. Trucks. It’s a past it cannot escape. The big car companies are still the big employers, despite all the troubles. They still rule, with jobs, influence, mindshare. It’s all about the cars the rides, the racing. My hotel sponsors a drag racing team. The parking lots and highways are full of BIG vehicles, pickups and SUVs. On my last trip, something big and hard flew off the back of a white pickup and shattered the windshield of my rented Toyota. A freak accident or vengeance, like white blood cells attacking invaders?

Cracked windshield: freak accident or did Detroit not like my Toyota?

But I came back anyway. There is the Innovate3D operation to set up. I have to find a key project manager, an office. The first visit was right before Memorial Day. People were busy with plans. Maybe one little company with one or two jobs was not too much to get excited about. There were cabins up north to go to. It seems hunting, fishing and barbeques took priority. Most of Automation Alley, my temporary office, had vacated.

So why not make the same mistake again? I arrive the week before July 4 weekend. I expect I will see only those candidates who are truly desperate.

But the turnout is crazy good! Not only has there been an outpouring of resumes, but candidates show up on time or early, and lo and behold, the guys (which all of them turn out to be) are wearing suits and ties. Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. Maybe I have been in California too long.

But the most encouraging aspect is the talent -- a mile wide and a mile deep. Where else can you see engineers with 20 years building hugely complicated systems for not just autos, but for armored vehicles, power systems …more, all just walking the streets looking for jobs. These are the big guys, in reputation, in the size of machines they make, from the big universities, big factories and production plants. One of them tells me about his big boat. The building, the lots, the roads… all of it seems supersized.

The biggest building in Troy, MI: the PNC tower (courtesy Wapedia)

The dreams, too, are big. The dreams of industrial prowess were manifest in the automotive industry but now big auto is past its peak. Now there is the dream of the big resurgence. I am told Troy (and may be other outlying areas) offer much to in the ways of technology to technology companies. Smaller companies, even startups. But to house them all, Troy has built big buildings, many of them on Big Beaver Road, off which Automation Alley is headquartered. But I notice more than a few also have big “for rent” signs.

Troy's Candlewood Suites Hotel's best feature: a kitchenette with a fridge, microwave and range

Kenan Wollborg to Join Innovate3D

Meet Kenan Wollborg, who will soon be an inventors best friend. I will be recommending him as our first hire in Detroit area for Innovate3D.*

Kenan is familiar with the process of inventing, from concept to production, having gone through the process himself several times. He has inventions of his own, plus those he helped with at a Detroit-area company where he worked for 15 years up until a few months ago, when he was laid off.

Kenan has a particular interest in composites, which he has used to create prosthetic devices, specifically below-the-knee foot and ankle replacements. Some models even accommodate very active lifestyles that include running, rock climbing and the like. It’s great to see technology come to the aid of people who might previously relegated to being disadvantaged for the rest of their lives.

Kenan has also used composites for his own personal inventions, which is a mat that can be laid over obstructions such as thresholds to aid in-house locomotion of people confined to wheelchairs.

Kenan lights up when he hears of our projects in Rwanda, offering ideas on the water carrier he has seen on the Innovate3D website.

Hmm… and inventive, resourceful, bright individual, eager to help others. What’s not to like about this guy?

--

*pending board approval

 

Engineering Project Manager Needed in Detroit Area

Innovate3D is a pilot project in the Detroit area to assist American inventors in realizing their dreams. We are looking for project manager with an engineering or manufacturing background who can help develop models and physical prototypes from concepts.

Candidate should have project management experience and be able to do manage multiple simultaneous projects involving both design and manufacturing. Good customer skills and patience to deal with creative types is a must.

Candidates must have these specific skills, or be committed to learning:

• Project management (mandatory)
• Basic SolidWorks or similar MCAD knowledge
• Able to view, manipulate and create or correct CAD models and assemblies
• Able to read and mark up sketches and drawings

Experience in as many of the following will be beneficial to these positions:

• patent drawings
• 2D drafting
• computer modeling
• animations and renderings
• reverse engineering
• wiring, soldering
• 3D printing
• manufacture of working prototypes
• CAM, CNC experience preferred.
• Operate shop machinery such as drill press, lathe, milling machine.

Position may require some hands on work, performing whatever work can be done personally. However, person must be able to delegate or source work to various people and places, both domestic and foreign. People management skills are essential, both to deal with customers and multiple vendors. Position requires a person who can manage multiple projects simultaneously, with excellent organization and record keeping. Candidate should be self-motivated and be able to work independently with a minimum of supervision and comfortable with dealing with off-site upper management via phone and online.

Candidates must be versatile with:

• MS Office software (Word, Outlook, Excel)
• Internet and search

Full time position. Engineering degree preferred but not required. Based in Detroit area.

Innovate3D is a non-profit* firm dedicated to using technology to help people.

Please send a cover letter and resume to:

Roopinder Tara
CEO/President
rtara@Innovate3D.org

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*non-profit status in process

Innovate3D Mission Statement, Dreams

"Help innovators, help America, help the world with with advanced 3D technology."

That's the mission statement that will go on Innovate3D's website, after much deliberation and consultation. A bit grandiose, to be sure, as we are starting with a little more than a dream, good intentions, one outpost in Detroit which as of yet has no permanent location, and one project in faraway Africa. We've still underfunded.  

Here is a bit more about us, taken from the draft of our site, still under construction:

"Innovate3D is a service that helps people with ideas realize their dream. We can provide technical expertise and tools to take your idea to the next step, whether it be patent drawings, a 3D computer model, or a working model. You provide the creative idea and we provide the technology to help you succeed.

Your idea is safe with us. And so is your money. We don't require you to give up your intellectual property and you retain all your rights to your idea. As we are a non-profit, so our service is provided at reasonable rates."

How exactly?

"We employ engineers and machinists who might be having trouble getting jobs in hard hit areas of the US. Our first US service location will be in Detroit. If your invention can be used for the common good, we might even be able to provide you some of our services for free. One way or another, you will also be helping others -- as well as yourself!"

Automation Alley Gives Innovate3D a Hand

Innovate3D’s pilot project may take its formative step with the help of Automation Alley, located in Troy, about 30 minutes outside of Detroit. Automation Alley is set up to revitalize SE Michigan using technology, which is often done by facilitating the transfer of companies to the area.

Automation Alley is extremely well funded, as is evidenced by the plaques in lobby, which shows “foundation members,” a veritable Who’s Who of Detroit-area businesses. They appear to have been very generous to Automation Alley. The place looks like the money. It’s more like bank-contemporary rather than shabby start up.

The place geared up to be a command center, with video meeting rooms. Very high tech. A white board with a special magnetic strip touch pad can give digital prints of whatever is drawn. Another meeting room allows up to 8 users to all plug in their laptops, while 2 big monitors can show what is on each screen. All of it is available to members. As a non-profit, Innovated3D qualifies for a special membership rate.

Automation Alley allow start ups an initial space to work while they set up roots in Detroit area. They are generously giving Innovate3D an office from which to conduct job interviews, which will commence later this month. Also, they will give us desk space for 2 for the 1st three months of operation.

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More information:

Automation Alley website http://www.automationalley.com/ 

 

Innovation Engineer Needed

Innovate3D is a pilot project in the Detroit area to assist American inventors in realizing their dreams. We are looking for a jack-of-all-trades engineer who can assist inventors in bringing their inventions from concept to physical prototypes.

Candidate should have multi-disciplinary experience and be able to assist in both design and manufacturing. Good customer skills and patience to deal with creative types is a must.

Experience in as many of the following will be beneficial to these positions:

• patent drawings
• 2D drafting
• computer modeling
• animations
• renderings
• reverse engineering
• 3D printing
• manufacture of working prototypes

Project and people management skills are essential as positions require a person who is willing to manage multiple projects simultaneously, performing whatever work can be done personally, while also being able to delegate or source other work to various people and places, both domestic and foreign. Organization and record keeping will be required. Candidate should be self-motivated and be able to work independently with a minimum of supervision and comfortable with dealing with off-site management via phone and online.

Non-degreed engineers, technicians and machinists are welcome to apply.

Candidates must be versatile with:

• MS Office software (Word, Outlook, Excel)
• Internet and search

Candidates should have these specific skills, or be committed to learning:

• SolidWorks or similar MCAD
• able to design of machined parts, complex surfaces, be able to correct or modify existing designs
• CAM
• Operate shop machinery such as drill press, lathe, milling machine.
• CNC experience preferred.

Innovate3D is a non-profit* firm dedicated to using technology to help people.

Please send a cover letter and resume to:

Roopinder Tara
CEO/President
rtara@Innovate3D.org 

*non-profit status in process

 

Detroit, Part 1: Boots on the Ground

Tell people you are going to Detroit and most will warn you to be careful. It had been a while since I was there last. More that 10 years. The Autofact show was held annually at Cobo Hall, and along with much automtotive technology, also had booths for a healthy number of MCAD vendors. I used to stay at the Renaissance Center, orginally built as GMs headquarters, but now also a hotel, infrequented shopping mall, etc. The RenCen is in many ways a perennial dream of Detroit's rebirth.

I had a smaller rebirth in mind. I was going to hire one engineer, maybe two, for part time positons. The idea is to set up a local office using unemployed engineering talent  that will help inventors bring their dreams to life. With all I had heard of Detroit needing help, massive pools of talented engineers floundering about, each with dozens of years of experience, all shed by the shrinking automotive industry, all desparate to find gainful employment, I dipped my hook in the water and put an ad into a small job board. I wanted to avoid the deluge that would result from a big job board like Monster.com.

But only a handful of people responded. I asked David Darbyshire of DASI Solutions what gives?

"You looking for part time work?"

I admitted, I was.

"Well, most guys aren't going to want to give up their unemployment benefits."

Of course, how naive of me!

I turned the 2 part time jobs into one full time job.

"Now I'm going to have to give medical benefits?" I ask.

"Yeah, that's a given"

I guess the job must be upgraded, as is my perception of Detroit. It's not the burnt-out economic ground zero I had thought, with the busiest place in town the soup kitchen by day and the corner bar at night. There might be engineers around who need jobs, but the trickle of resumes I have finall started to get all seem to in jobs already and are looking to upgrade.

Maybe I just need to look harder.

 

David Darbyshire Knows Detroit

I met up with David Darbyshire, who has graciously volunteered to introduce me to the Detroit area. David, along with his brother, is the owner of DASI Solutions, one of the Midwests's top SolidWorks reseller. As such, he gets invited to SolidWorks’ President’s Club meetings, which take place in bucket list places – like his last one in Costa Rica.

In the midst of recessions, and in one of the places most hardest hit, DASI is doing well. I meet David in his latest office in Lake Orion, about 30 miles north of downtown Detroit center.  This will house his latest business, selling 3D prototyping services.

Dave Darbyshire show parts from the Objet Connex 500, now offered as a service to Detroit area

David has not two RP machines. He is most excited about his latest, an Objet Connex 500. Don’t confuse this with the 3D printers every one is talking about, some of which can fit on your desk. If you want to get a Connex 500 in your house, you better have a cargo door.

What do you get with an Objet Connex 500 that you won’t get with lesser RP machines, much less the lowly 3D printers?

Accuracy, for one thing, says Dave. Parts could be accurate to 0.004”. He also shows me many parts made with two materials, made in one pass, no assembly required. Also, materials can be those not normally associated with RP, for example a very clear plastic and also a rubbery material.  Also, some of the parts are bigger, the size of footballs. By contrast, parts displayed at the recent Maker Fair for entry level 3D printers are the size of your finger.

Clearly, we are not in the minor leagues. 

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More information:

• DASI Solutions http://www.dasisolutions.com/
• Objet Connex 500 http://www.objet.com/3D-Printer/Objet_connex500/ 

 

Blair Evans Manages a Detroit FabLab

Blair Evans is a whirlwind of social causes. A self professed serial entrepreneur, who sold his last company, Blair seems to have turned his focus to the betterment of mankind. He is currently involved with so many projects, the people in the lobby of Samaritan Cener, not far from Detroit's downtown, can’t keep track of them all. They all know Blair, though.

Blair Evans shows one of the the larger machines in his Detroit FabLab, Incite Focus.

Blair’s initial interest in MITs FabLabs has led to his Incite Focus, which he calls a 1st generation Fab Lab. 2nd genration labs will be able to create machines, essentially Fablabs that cab replicate themselves. How does his relate to Rwanda, which is on my mind as the government there may have an interest in creating a FabLab in Kigali? You could create a central FabLab in Kigali and have it make several minilabs around the country, says Blair.  Not only would that put shop technology closer to where it is needed, but it would also serve to keep people where they are, not furthering the migration from rural to urban areas --which is quite a problem in many poor countries.

Blair exhibits a rare blend of technicaly savvy with social causes.  FabLabs are just part of what he does. He has returned from a project that helps kids in South Africa. There is even a project in sustainable farming. "Not only have we lost touch with manufacturing, we’ve lost touch with food production, too."

It’s hard enough getting a handle of all Blair is involved with, but its also hard to get a handle on his audience. I meet up with him on a Friday evening, as school kids are streaming out of his workshop. Blair is heavily involved with the BKB Academy, a charter school, just across the hall from the FabLab. But the FabLab is also used for workforce retraining.

For more information, see Incite Focus