60: Mark Two

Thoroughly Considered · 24 Jun 2020 · 46m · Episode 60

What this episode covers

Tom Gerhardt and Dan Provost of Studio Neat discuss the launch of their Mark Two pen, a compact stainless steel pocket pen featuring a magnetic closure and a mini Schmidt refill. They detail the mechanical engineering challenges of achieving seamless tolerances between the pen body and sleeve, the iterative design process for the clip, and the stop-motion animation techniques used for the Kickstarter video. The hosts also announce new mentorship programs aimed at supporting underrepresented voices in podcasting and hardware entrepreneurship.

Mentioned

Companies
Studio Neat, Relay FM
Products
Mark Two, Mark One, Mark One Apollo, Fisher Space Pen
Also
Schmidt

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Making It · 58m

    Episode 205: Thinky Pad and Wippy Pen

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss their upcoming live show at Maker Fair and the potential for makers to develop physical products. They analyze the design flaws in common tools like tape measures and discuss Andrew Klein's new pencil-making jig and Jocko's knife as examples of successful product development. The conversation also covers Jimmy's home theater project and the utility of digital sketching tools like the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil.

  • Core77 Podcast · 1h 14m

    Afterschool Podcast, Episode 14 - Pencil by FiftyThree (12/17)

    FiftyThree co-founder John Harris and industrial designers John Ikeda and Audrey Louchart discuss the creation of Pencil, the company's first hardware product designed to complement their Paper app. They detail the transition from Microsoft's Courier project to building a startup, focusing on the industrial design choices like the carpenter pencil form factor and the integration of wood and aluminum materials. The team explains the 'Kiss to Pair' connection mechanism, the engineering challenges of fitting electronics into a tight form, and the logistical hurdles of manufacturing and direct-to-consumer fulfillment.

  • Core77 Podcast · 1h 00m

    Afterschool Podcast, Episode 5 - StudioNeat (9/16)

    Dan Provost and Tom Gerhardt, co-founders of Studio Neat, discuss their journey from the first Kickstarter project, Glif, to their latest hardware release, the Neat Ice Kit. They explain their minimalist Kickstarter strategy, which avoids complex pledge tiers and stretch goals to ensure focus on delivery, and share lessons learned from manufacturing delays with the Cosmonaut stylus. The conversation also covers their design philosophy, their views on the iPhone 5C and iOS 7, and their approach to remote collaboration.

  • Being an Engineer · 56m

    S6E12 Greg Mark | Founding Markforged & Backflip.ai

    Greg Mark, founder of Markforged and Backflip.ai, discusses the mechanical robustness of Markforged 3D printers, highlighting their kinematic couplings and reliability in harsh environments like the US Navy and International Space Station. He explains how Backflip uses AI to convert 3D scans and STL files into editable CAD models, integrating directly with tools like SolidWorks to accelerate design workflows. Mark also shares entrepreneurial lessons on product focus, citing Markforged's initial decision to prioritize reliability over speed, and the importance of persistence in securing early opportunities.

  • Core77 Podcast · 57m

    Afterschool Podcast, Episode 4 - Martin Kastner (9/9)

    Martin Kastner, founder of Crucial Detail, discusses his transition from a traditional blacksmith in the Czech Republic to an industrial designer in Chicago. He details his collaborative work with the restaurant Alinea, where he designed custom tools like a paraffin wax vessel to deliver hot and cold potato soup, and the Porthole infusion vessel for Aviary. Kastner also reflects on the operational challenges of scaling the Porthole via a successful Kickstarter campaign, including manufacturing delays and managing difficult backers.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Thoroughly Considered. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.