D. Bryson began work in machining and metalworking in Canada in 1981, becoming a world recognized journeyman tool and die maker in 1985. Re-entering the workforce as a CAD designer, he worked his way up to Senior Mechanical Engineer in a leading microwave radio company. He shares recognition in two patents relating to his design work of microwave radios. His previous hands-on metalworking experience has benefitted him greatly in his design career, where he continues to design and develop innovative yet simple-to-manufacture parts and assemblies. Familiar with all aspects of manufacturing including precision machining and grinding, stamping, die casting and welding. He is an expert in Solid Works and AutoCAD, including import and export of the many other software platforms in the marketplace.
My clients are varied. My background is in metalworking and mechanical CAD, both 2D & 3D. I have worked on very complicated mechanical assemblies and manufacturing drawings for the microwave industry, the semi-conductor industry, the nuclear industry and just the manufacturing industry in general. I have also worked with architectural CAD and have a client in the low voltage retrofit industry whose major customers are school districts and hospitals. They upgrade security systems and classroom technology. I have done both 2D drawings and 3D renderings for them. I have another client that installs automatic car wash systems and I do all their installation drawings. I have another client for whom I do RV park layouts. Finally, I have created drawings for individuals to submit with patent applications.
The most interesting project I worked on was a proprietary mechanical system that I can’t even talk about since the patent application is still pending. It had many small mechanical assemblies and a very large final assembly. All the work was in 3D. It will be interesting to see it actually come to fruition and know I was a part of it. I had to research many new to the market components that went into the assembly, create 3D models of them and integrate them correctly.
My favorite tool is Solid Works. With my mechanical background, it is the most versatile software available that ties part modeling, assemblies and drawings all together parametrically. I can’t imagine doing the work I do today on a drawing board with a pencil. A week’s work would take a year!
I have talked to all my clients many times over the last 2 years, thinking that they were bringing their CAD requirement in-house since I had shown a significant decrease in business from all of them. This was not the case. It is simply a slowdown in all industries. If anything, they have laid off their own full time people and are still planning on outsourcing the majority of their CAD work.
I have always been good at time management and servicing several clients on several projects at the same time. I have never missed a deadline or had an unhappy client. With a home office, I have the flexibility to work any hours required to get the job done.
I have been involved in many remote meetings as an observer but have not yet had the necessity to launch my own meeting.
T. Stonehocker is an independent design engineer with a strong mechanical background (e.g. machine design, machine building, 3Dmodeling, patents, CNC programming). He has been using 3D modeling programs since AutoDesks first mechanical desktop in 1994 and is currently using Solidworks 2010.
I am a mechanical engineer and I design and build specialty machines. I have served many different kinds of clients, in the welding fields, brake manufacturing, film manufacturing, auto manufacturing, tire manufacturing, blow mold (secondary equipment) presses and assembly machines, candy manufacturing and motorcycle / trike manufacturing.
All of the projects I work on are interesting in their own right, and I have never had a dull moment with any of them. If I had to pick a favorite I would have to say the motorcycle and trike designs that I have had the pleasure of designing for people.
The thing that made the bike projects stand out over the others I have done would have to be, taking a clients dreams and making them a reality. Of course the same thing that made them stand out was also the biggest challenge. I would have to say that the biggest challenge I faced designing the bikes and trikes for my clients was convincing them to do what would make the bike function the best not necessarily what was the coolest look. Sometimes a cool look is just a cool look and will not perform well, so trying to get them to change their minds and go with a not so cool look BUT a look that was both functional and appealing to the eye, was my most challenging effort. (I have attached a pic of the last bike that I designed for an architect in LA)
I use Solidworks 2012, KeyShot3 and PhotoShop. These are my three go to softwares, I use them all the time. I have used mechanical desktop, proE, catia and Solidworks and I have found that the majority of my clients are using Soildworks, I like it and it works for me.
I have found a few sites that have jobs posted that you can bid on that have helped me get in front of some clients. Also I have found a site that I have posted a profile and portfolio on that has been a big help to me. This site is a site that is mainly built for engineers and it caters to their needs with a place to post projects so all of the parties involved with a given project can be informed about everything that happens to that project at the same time. They also host several challenges that all of the engineers can participate in to show off their skills and have a little fun at the same time. I have learned a lot from different engineers from all over the world through sites like this and I like to think that I have been a positive influence to others in the world through my interactions with these sites.
I like the freedom of being able to work from my desk at home all hours of the day and night, using a virtual office to communicate with my clients to get the job done. I feel that it takes a dedicated individual to be a free-lance. That individual must be motivated with a strict since of professionalism to stay focused and get the job done. This type of individual must also be able to manage several projects at once because if they are good at what they do, they will be covered up with work all the time.
Yes I do most of my work remote, and I use dropbox to transfer my files back and forth with my clients. Yes I have used WebEx, Skype and GoToMeeting and I have found them all to be effective tools to communicate with my clients I have done design reviews complete with stress analysis on projects and I have done well using these mediums.I have had some face to face discussions with clients using Skype and it has work fine. The only thing I can think of that is probably better handled face to face would be a run-off on a machine or the delivery of the final product.
R. Wright is an independent CAD consultant, and is an expert in the area of computer aided drafting. He began as a draftsman and construction administrator.
I serve clients who are involved in residential and commercial projects.
The most interesting projects were a Veterinarian Clinic and Refurbishing a 100 year old elementary school. I had faced numerous design changes with the veterinarian clinic and with the elementary school, and had some challenges in retrofitting 100 year construction techniques.
I have AutoCAD and Revit skills. Revit is my favorite software design tool because it incorporates the most information in a building model. It allows 2D, 3D and rendering.
I am observing a downward turn in the amount of work for CAD designers.
I like working as an interim CAD draftsman or as a consultant, because I can work well in an office environment or alone as a consultant.
Yes, I have provided a number a CAD consulting services remotely by way of GoToMeeting, and there was no issue in the design process or project scope that could not be handled remotely.
A. Enoch is currently a Mechanical Design Consultant, a role he has been performed since 2002. He specializes in 3D-modeling, 2D drawings, project management and gear design. Mr. Enoch has over 20 years of design experience designing a variety of products from pressure vessels, to military vehicles, tooling and fixtures. He has an Associate Degree in Engineering.
I work for many different clients and my special area of expertise is Mechanical Design.
My most interesting work is designing fixtures for military vehicles for the Government. I enjoy accomplishing designs that everyone else has problems with.
SolidWorks is my favorite software tool – I love it.
One of the trends I see is companies not wanting to pay decent rates for my work. When I negotiate with them to allow me to work from home it lowers the rate.
Working as a free-lancer gives me the independence I like.
I dont often work remotely or use screen-sharing tools, but if I do I like to make sure I have all the information I need before starting to avoid setbacks. I dont like wasting time.
N. Felix is a draftsman and CAD & CAM technician. He performs conversions from 2d to 3d, designs parts from sketches, and models ideas and parts.
I serve many types of clients, including medical, consumer products, machinery and furniture.
I love working with medical devices and products because I know eventually it might save someones life.
Autodesk Inventor, because it is easy to use and produces great quality work.
More and more, customers are looking for renderings of their products. The more realistic, the better. I took it upon myself to learn 3d rendering.
I get lost in all my projects and time just flies when I am working on a CAD project.
I have had video conference calls with customers for clarifications.
