When I first got out into the work force, I was a pretty popular guy to have at meetings. It wasn’t because I was super smart or because I was funny or had a great sense of fashion…it was because…
The Toyota Supra is an automotive legend. It’s right up there with some of the greats, thanks to the legendary tuning capabilities of the 2JZ-GTE engine. In the right hands, the engine could be elevated to the point that it…
From the idea of interchangeable parts popularized in the United States by Eli Whitney for muskets and Henry Ford's mass production techniques to Japan's "kaizen" (continuous improvement) methodologies, and techniques like LEAN and AGILE, manufacturers are always on the lookout…
In manufacturing, fabricated jigs and tools help accelerate the speed of the production line. They help workers align parts, components and assemblies with precision. The same effective technology may be used to help surgeons and physicians in performing very…
The Trump administration is following through with promises to cut back on vehicle fuel efficiency standards installed under the Obama administration, known as CAFE. The CAFE standards mean that by 2025 fuel efficiency for an automaker’s fleet will need to…
Natural creativity is a lot of bull. Yes, some people may have more innate creative and artistic ability, but the truth is creativity is as much a skill as it is a natural talent. It’s something that must be practiced…
As technology becomes an increasingly crucial and ever-present ingredient to the recipe of modern day life, the questions begs to be asked: what does continually advancing technology mean for us as human beings? Should we feel threatened by the future…
If I were to ask most people what the connection between Porsche and Toyota is, they’d be confused. After all, there’s a big difference between a 911 and a Corolla. The German and Japanese automakers on the surface are about…
It feels like I started my current job just yesterday. I was 23 years old, just a few months out of school, looking to start a new career at a new company. I blinked – and it’s almost 30 years later and…
"Be ready to revise any system, scrap any method, abandon any theory, if the success of the job requires it,” said Henry Ford in 1923. The automotive industry requires it and 3D printing, by turning designs into solutions, is used…
One of the ways for your new company to reach potential investors, backers and major customers is by participating in "speed pitching events" where, like speed-dating and elevator speeches, you've got only a brief time slot – anywhere from as…
California automaker Tesla stirs up controversy and generates a lot of interest from fans as well as critics. Recent events make the future of the company look a little uncertain. Naturally, critics like Bob Lutz (the former GM executive) are…
During World War II, the United States Army’s bazooka rocket launchers were advantageous to their fighting strength. However, during the war, German adversaries captured some bazookas in North Africa from the Americans. The Germans reverse engineered the weapon, modifying it…
We already know that 3D printing is continuing to show excellent promise in a number of fields, but you might not be aware that it’s gaining traction in the world of automotive racing. Perhaps the most famous example comes from…
The GrabCAD Community has an impressive array of members possessing a wide variety of knowledge and creative skills. Which is why, when NASA came to us and asked if we could host a design challenge that showed a short animation…
It’s widely acknowledged that STEM (science, engineering, technology and math) graduates go on to have lucrative careers. So, if you’re a whizz at any of these subjects or are drawn to learning more about them, you could turn your passion…
Cloud-based services are certainly nothing new, and they have been growing at a phenomenal rate, but there still remains a gnawing reluctance that prevent some prospective users from embracing the cloud - security. One of the most compelling reasons to…
Classroom education isn't just about textbooks and green boards anymore. There's so much more one can learn, understand and adapt to in a classroom, and that's why education is a much more fun and experiential process today. That being said,…
Two small automakers have engaged in guerilla warfare in the auto industry. Koenigsegg and Rimac both have humble roots and are still tiny compared to larger competitors, yet they’re pushing forward with some amazing innovations. Haven’t heard of either one?…
From driverless cars to commercial space travel, technological innovations in the transportation world are moving fast and the Fourth Industrial Revolution is hitting the road too – welcome to the concept of Smart Roads. Road and traffic system advances implemented…