# S1E54 Serendipity in Mechanical Design, Gaining a 6th sense, SolidWorks Top-Down Modeling, How get the Most out of McMaster, Prototyping, SolidSmack Blog | Dan Slaski

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2020-12-04
- Length: 52m
- Episode: 54
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-04-s1e54-serendipity-in-mechanical-design-gaining-a-6th-sense-solidworks-top-down-m
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/serendipity-mechanical-design-solidsmack/

## Summary

Mechanical design engineer Dan Slaski, a writer for the SolidSmack Blog, discusses the fundamentals of mechanical design, emphasizing the importance of understanding manufacturing processes like urethane casting and direct metal laser sintering for low-volume production. He advocates for 'top-down' or 'in-context' modeling in SolidWorks to maintain alignment between parts during the prototyping phase, while warning about the risks of external references. Slaski also shares advice for hobbyists looking to commercialize products, suggesting niche markets and the use of makerspaces like the former TechShop, and highlights the challenge of educating clients on the necessity of multiple prototype iterations.

## Chapters

- [0:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-04-s1e54-serendipity-in-mechanical-design-gaining-a-6th-sense-solidworks-top-down-m#t=29) Introduction and Mechanical Fundamentals
- [5:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-04-s1e54-serendipity-in-mechanical-design-gaining-a-6th-sense-solidworks-top-down-m#t=354) Researching Vendors and Manufacturing Processes
- [10:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-04-s1e54-serendipity-in-mechanical-design-gaining-a-6th-sense-solidworks-top-down-m#t=612) Developing Engineering Instincts and the T-Shaped Engineer
- [14:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-04-s1e54-serendipity-in-mechanical-design-gaining-a-6th-sense-solidworks-top-down-m#t=870) Industrial Design Skills and Resources
- [22:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-04-s1e54-serendipity-in-mechanical-design-gaining-a-6th-sense-solidworks-top-down-m#t=1345) Using the McMaster-Catalog Effectively
- [25:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-04-s1e54-serendipity-in-mechanical-design-gaining-a-6th-sense-solidworks-top-down-m#t=1533) Top-Down Modeling in SolidWorks
- [30:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-04-s1e54-serendipity-in-mechanical-design-gaining-a-6th-sense-solidworks-top-down-m#t=1853) Commercializing Side Projects and Niche Products
- [39:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-04-s1e54-serendipity-in-mechanical-design-gaining-a-6th-sense-solidworks-top-down-m#t=2369) Educating Clients on Prototype Iterations
- [46:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-04-s1e54-serendipity-in-mechanical-design-gaining-a-6th-sense-solidworks-top-down-m#t=2790) The 'Sixth Sense' for Physical Prototyping

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- SolidSmack (other)
- McMaster-Carr (other)
- TechShop (other)
- Red Blue Collective (company)
- Machine Design (other)
- Speed Concepts (product)
- Nest (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [223: Mechanical Prototype Parts vs. Pre-Production Parts for Plastic Inventions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-26-223-mechanical-prototype-parts-vs-pre-production-parts-for-plastic-inventions) (Product Startup)
- [374: Tiny Forks](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2022-10-21-374-tiny-forks) (Making It)
- [S2 E5: Rapid Prototyping Deep Dive with Greg Paulsen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2024-01-23-s2-e5-rapid-prototyping-deep-dive-with-greg-paulsen) (The Builder Circle)
- [149: How to Professionally Prototype your Invention Idea](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-11-09-149-how-to-professionally-prototype-your-invention-idea) (Product Startup)
- [453: Half Made Zippy-Something](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-09-06-453-half-made-zippy-something) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-12-04-s1e54-serendipity-in-mechanical-design-gaining-a-6th-sense-solidworks-top-down-m. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Being an Engineer.