# Jacob Evink | From CAD to Mechanical Curiosity: Student Engineer Spotlight

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2026-09-04
- Length: 36m
- Episode: 37
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-09-04-jacob-evink-from-cad-to-mechanical-curiosity-student-engineer-spotlight

## Summary

Jacob Evink, a mechanical engineering student at Western Michigan University, discusses his journey from high school manufacturing classes to working in a high-volume injection molding factory. He details the design and construction of a four-axis robotic arm using an ESP32 microcontroller and stepper motors, highlighting the trial-and-error process of electronics integration. Evink also shares his perspective on using AI tools like ChatGPT for coding assistance and the importance of documenting failures publicly on Instagram to build an engineering portfolio.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-09-04-jacob-evink-from-cad-to-mechanical-curiosity-student-engineer-spotlight#t=0) Introduction and Background
- [2:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-09-04-jacob-evink-from-cad-to-mechanical-curiosity-student-engineer-spotlight#t=136) High School Manufacturing and CAD
- [5:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-09-04-jacob-evink-from-cad-to-mechanical-curiosity-student-engineer-spotlight#t=313) Building a Four-Axis Robotic Arm
- [6:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-09-04-jacob-evink-from-cad-to-mechanical-curiosity-student-engineer-spotlight#t=363) Electronics Troubleshooting and Failures
- [13:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-09-04-jacob-evink-from-cad-to-mechanical-curiosity-student-engineer-spotlight#t=813) Injection Molding Quality and Tolerances
- [18:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-09-04-jacob-evink-from-cad-to-mechanical-curiosity-student-engineer-spotlight#t=1126) CAD Tools and Self-Education
- [19:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-09-04-jacob-evink-from-cad-to-mechanical-curiosity-student-engineer-spotlight#t=1198) Using AI for Coding and Design
- [23:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-09-04-jacob-evink-from-cad-to-mechanical-curiosity-student-engineer-spotlight#t=1406) Public Documentation and Community
- [29:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-09-04-jacob-evink-from-cad-to-mechanical-curiosity-student-engineer-spotlight#t=1757) Future of Engineering and AI

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Western Michigan University (other)
- Inventor (tool)
- AutoCAD (tool)
- Fusion (tool)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- ESP32 (chip)
- ChatGPT (tool)
- Claude Code (tool)
- Onshape (tool)
- PTC Creo (tool)
- NX (tool)
- Instagram (other)
- LinkedIn (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [385: I Just Wanted an Industrial Arm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-08-26-385-i-just-wanted-an-industrial-arm) (Embedded.fm)
- [Episode 254: Inch everything along](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-03-25-episode-254-inch-everything-along) (Making It)
- [136: Let's Try Out Some Broccoli](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-01-28-136-lets-try-out-some-broccoli) (Embedded.fm)
- [Ep 330: Hover Turtles, Dull Designs, and K'nex Computers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-07-25-ep-330-hover-turtles-dull-designs-and-knex-computers) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [539: My Ai Powered Ergonomic Chair](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2026-09-25-539-my-ai-powered-ergonomic-chair) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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