PRESIDENT’S CORNER | INDUSTRIAL DESIGN IS NOT JUST PRETTY PICTURES

By Bill Huseby Having been in the Product Design and Engineering business for over 30 years there is one thing that has become apparent to me:  Industrial Designers are under-appreciated for the contribution they make to good Product Design.  This perspective, mind you, is coming from a Mechanical Engineer. Let me start by giving you the definition of an Industrial …

2nd generation

SIGMADESIGN Industrial Design – IDEA 2013 Finalists

IN 2013, our Industrial Design team worked on a project to be submitted in several design competitions.  The design was a finalist in the 2013 IDEA contest. The project: 2nd Generation.  The challenge: Re-imagining what a generator can be. The “2nd Generation” project was an opportunity to address common complaints of portable power generation (e.g. cost, noise, size, fire danger, maintenance, …

Motorcycle_Bultaco-Sherpa-T

The Three Best Product Designs. Ever.

Director of Industrial Design, Mark Schoening, describes what he believes to be the three best product designs ever.   Observed Trials is a little known motorcycle sport wherein riders try to negotiate obstacles – or ‘traps’ – without ‘dabbing’ a foot.  In the late 60’s and early 70’s, the Spanish bikes were the best, and the Bultaco Sherpa T Model …

Breadboard button being tested

Testing | a crucial stage in the design process

Much of SIGMADESIGN’s test lab work involves ensuring products pass a specific standard. Does it pass the appropriate parts of IEC 60068? One of the many MIL standard methods? FCC Part 15? This type of routine testing is interesting to do, but it is completed according to strict processes and the answer is typically “yes” or “no.” My favorite question …

John Barker and the #N819WB

SIGMADESIGN Founder Takes Flight

SIGMADESIGN founder and Senior Mechanical Engineer John Barker has restored a few airplanes in the past including a 1976 Cessna 172, a 1965 Citabria, and a 1965 Cessna 182.  But he always dreamed of building his own airplane from the ground up.  Finally in 2003, he began taking steps towards accomplishing that dream.  Obtaining a kit to build a Van’s …

An Experience in Cooperation

by John Schlottmann | Director of Business Development SIGMADESIGN Supply Chain Management, Fabrication and Manufacturing expertise facilitates completion of Ziba project. Ziba was in the final stages of completing development of the AccuFit ℠ Digital Measurement System.  The AccuFit ℠ System, developed for LensCrafters, was the first digital measurement system in the US and Canada.  The primary technology behind the system …

Acclimates

A Heater that Divides and Conquers

We agree with our partners and clients at CADET:  electric ‘zonal’ heating is the most efficient way to heat a house.  A zonal heater allows heating of one or two rooms, instead of the whole house; it allows heating of a room – say a bathroom – quickly, just long enough to get ready for work.   And using electrical energy …

All Aboard the Steam Engine!

by Will Pickering | SIGMADESIGN Electronics Technician   I have always liked trains, but instead of playing with models, I jumped straight to the real steam engines. There were tracks across the river from my parents’ house growing up.  My dad knew one of the crew members and we always talked about getting a ride; but before we could, that railroad …

Investing in Local Education

At SIGMADESIGN we believe in investing in the next generation of designers and engineers.  We have been fortunate to have opportunities to do this in a variety of ways.  Our engineers have volunteered their time to mentor high school students, guiding them in their robotic engineering efforts.  Our President Bill Huseby has spoken to design students in the college classroom.  …

Experiencing Thailand (Chinese & English)

泰国是东南亚的一个佛教国家。自从2006年第一次去泰国,我就喜欢上了这个国家。不仅是因为那里优美的风景,价廉的美食, 值得称道的是那里的人民的和气和谦逊有礼。 当陌生人相遇,一句双手合十立于胸前的 “ Sawadee Krup / Ka” , 让人如沐春风,即时便可体会到泰国人的 有礼而好客。你也能够从他们谦卑的笑容里感觉到真诚而毫无做作。 在我两次的泰国之旅后,还始终觉得对这个国家兴趣未减,游兴未尽。很高兴现在有机会能够被公司经常派往泰国工作。当然工作不同于旅游,我也深深地体会到这其中的差异. 对我来说,工作最大的挑战来自于语言,英文是我的弱项,这影响了我的交流技巧(Communication Skill)。今后我将努力的加强,以便能够给我们客户更好的服务。 由于在加入Sigma 以前的很多年里我一直在做设备维修和维护,再加上一年半多的时间里对我们各种Tools 日臻熟悉,所以我对于Tools 维护和维修还是极具信心。一直以来我的工作态度也是尽自己的最大努力达到顾客的满意,通过顾客的Feedback不断地改进自己各方面的缺陷,我是一个愿意接受挑战和改变的人。也希望自己在有生之年能够不断地进步。 毫无疑问,在泰国工作,对于我来说是快乐的,我很Enjoy 我的工作。当然, 有时候也会感觉到疲惫,尤其是Build Support,每天近4 小时的长途跋涉让人 感觉很路途很漫长。所以在工作之余的周末,我喜欢到处走走,即可以体会泰国的文化,也可以放松心情,洗去身心的疲惫。 寺庙是泰国人常去的地方. 我虽然是一个无神论者,但我尊重每个人的信仰。在那里我看到了泰国人对宗教的虔诚,我想宗教(佛教)也许正是多数泰国人内心平静,待人之诚,无欲无求的根源。 来到泰国一定要享受这里的沙滩和阳光。上次的Build Support, 一个阳光灿烂的Sunday 我来到了华欣的海滩,度过了一个愉快的周末,很是享受了这里的日光浴。所以亲爱的同事们,如果下次,你看到我 如果变得很黑, 可请不要感到惊奇。那个下午我写了一首华语诗或许可以表达我当时的心境。 周末偷闲 周末沙滩躺椅上, 面朝大海晒太阳。 春天虽然没来到, 却是心花满胸膛。 亲爱的同事们,真心希望你们能够来亚洲,来新加坡,来泰国,来中国走走,体会一下我们这个美好世界不同的风景和文化。祝愿我们这个世界能够能够永远和平 美好。 English: Ever since my first visit in 2006, I have developed a strong emotional connection with Thailand. Beautiful sceneries, delicious (yet …