Join engineers Adam, Brian, Carmen and Jeff as they discuss issues of importance to today's engineering professional. Guest engineers frequently provide insights based on their real-life experiences.
Adam, Brian, Carmen, and Jeff discuss the importance of accurately estimating time and budget as a practicing engineer. Brian frequently makes estimates as part of his professional duties. Detrimental effects of our anchoring bias are noted by Jeff. We reference lecture notes from Francine Warner of Kennesaw State University in this episode. In making estimates, … Continue reading Episode 139 — Estimation →
We catch up with Sam Feller (who previously joined us in Episode 70), discussing his interests, projects, and latest entrepreneurial ventures. Having left industry to pursue an academic career, Jeff isn't chomping at the bit to move back into the entrepreneurial world. Our guest for this episode is Sam Feller, a mechanical engineer who may … Continue reading Episode 138 — Still Awkward →
In an episode that was recorded in early October, Adam, Carmen, and Jeff reflect on their summer activities, and on plans for the remaining months of 2017. Carmen spent a lot of his summer traveling, both domestically and internationally. Although he spends a good deal of time dealing with marketing people, Carmen claims that he's … Continue reading Episode 137 — Late Summer →
Adam, Brian, Carmen, and Jeff consider the boundaries of one's own competence in this episode of The Engineering Commons. Competencies seem to be driven by past failures, notes Brian. For learning about “magical potions” developed with “unicorn science” (chemical engineering), Brian recommends the NurdRage channel on YouTube. Brian takes a cruel pleasure in seeing Mehdi … Continue reading Episode 136 — Circle of Competence →
In this episode of The Engineering Commons, the gang discusses tailoring a presentation to meet the needs and interests of your intended audience. Adam's favorite form of communication is an old-fashioned face-to-face conversation. The data throughput of smoke signals is a bit too slow for Carmen's needs. Jeff suggests flag semaphore as an alternative means … Continue reading Episode 135 — Target Audience →
Adam, Carmen and Jeff discuss how engineering might change by the year 2040 in this episode of The Engineering Commons. Adam hopes to move a little higher into middle management over the next decade… unless he wins the lottery and can immediately proceed to retirement! We begin by looking back 23 years, to what engineering … Continue reading Episode 134 — Twenty Forty →
This episode finds the gang discussing engineering projects that went awry, but did not result in the loss of human life. While map makers include trap streets to catch copyright violators, Adam reassures us he's never been asked to physically construct such a street. It seems that mapping software sometimes makes traffic worse. At the … Continue reading Episode 133 — Embarrassed Engineer →
We discuss the case of an Oregon man fined for “practicing engineering without a license” in this episode of The Engineering Commons. Both Jeff and Adam have attended a few plays authored by William Shakespeare. A line from Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet is often used to assert that names do not change what something … Continue reading Episode 132 — By Any Other Name →
Chris Gammell returns to The Engineering Commons to discuss how his views on engineering education (and the engineering profession) have evolved over the past five years. Jeff is coming to appreciate that learning is a social event. Massively open online courses (MOOCs) were once thought to be the next “big thing” in education. Our guest … Continue reading Episode 131 — Five Years →
In this episode of The Engineering Commons, we discuss an electromechanical component commonly used to achieve physical motion; the ubiquitous direct-current (DC) motor. Carmen admits to getting turned on by electricity… and sugar! Although differences between engines and motors can be argued, at least one definition claims that an engine converts chemical energy to mechanical … Continue reading Episode 130 — DC Motors →
We are joined once more by Dave Goldberg, author of A Whole New Engineer, to discuss the critical engineering skills of noticing, listening, and questioning. Brian takes a 50/50 shot at guessing whether President Lincoln faces left or right on the United States one-cent coin. For younger listeners, Jeff describes the features of a telephone … Continue reading Episode 129 — Noticing →
Dr. Dave Vandenbout offers up his insights on choosing between academic and industrial careers in this episode of The Engineering Commons. Carmen wastes no time in revealing his secret method for stress-testing CMOS chips. X-ray systems can be useful in locating bad solder joints hidden underneath a ball grid array (BGA) integrated circuit. Our guest … Continue reading Episode 128 — Industrial Academic →
We talk with iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens about documenting and sharing technical procedures, especially those related to the repair of consumer devices. We start this episode by catching up on some past episodes… In Episode 111, “Environmental Engineering,” we talked with Bronwyn Bell, an environmental engineer from Western Australia, who is now featured in an … Continue reading Episode 127 — Technical Writing →
Aeronautical engineer Clay Coons joins us to discuss the many applications of diesel engines. Adam's Kubota BX tractor is powered by a 23 HP diesel engine. During his high school years, Jeff learned that gasoline (petrol) engines don't run too well on diesel fuel. Ska Punk music often features horns, as evidenced on a song … Continue reading Episode 126 — Diesel Power →
We discuss how the workplace environment influences our productivity in this episode of The Engineering Commons. Jeff is currently sharing an office, so although he doesn't have much extra space, he does have a door he can close when necessary. Brian uses his office as a storage locker, collecting old printed circuit boards and spare … Continue reading Episode 125 — Cubicle Farm →
The gang discusses how one acquires the skills most frequently used by engineering professionals. Brian knows that parliamentary procedures are described in Robert's Rules of Order, but he has not had to use such procedures in the course of his engineering career. A quorum is the minimum number of voting members from a deliberative group … Continue reading Episode 124 — Mad Skillz →
In this episode of The Engineering Commons, we discuss transitions experienced by Adam, Carmen and Jeff during the past year. Brian participates in our round-robin discussion, but it seems his 2016 was fairly routine. Adam has been residing in his new estate since mid-November, and is still uncovering new surprises on his property. A power … Continue reading Episode 123 — Transitions 2016 →
In this episode of The Engineering Commons, we answer questions from listener Jared about coping as an engineering student. Carmen informs us that making accurate estimations is an important engineering skill. In this episode, we answer questions from listener Jared about surviving the math-science death march encountered in the typical engineering curriculum. It's normal to … Continue reading Episode 122 — Jared Asks →
In this episode of The Engineering Commons, our intrepid crew discusses planning, leading and attending the dreaded corporate meeting. It seems that Brian elects to daydream when in boring meetings, whereas Jeff has been known to doodle extensively. Jeff located a website claiming to offer doodle analysis and interpretation, although the disclaimer notes that it … Continue reading Episode 121 — Idle Doodling →
This episode of The Engineering Commons finds Adam, Brian, Carmen and Jeff predicting how virtual and augmented realities might soon be incorporated into daily engineering activities. Adam's not so sure he's ready to plug into the Matrix. Brian suggests that understanding differential calculus is much less practical than knowing Kung Fu. Bullet time is a … Continue reading Episode 120 — Augmented Engineer →
Brian, Carmen and Jeff discuss mechanical gears in this episode of The Engineering Commons. Although a mechanical engineer, Jeff isn't much for working on cars. We share a few stories about synchronizing generators, including use of a synchroscope. Brian mentions mechanisms with extremely high gear ratios. The two main functions of gears are trading off … Continue reading Episode 119 — Gears →
In this episode of The Engineering Commons podcast, we talk with civil engineer Grady Hillhouse, producer of YouTube's Practical Engineering channel. Carmen has been known to wield a reciprocating saw as he refines his woodworking skills. Our guest for this episode is Grady Hillhouse, a professional civil engineer from Austin, Texas who runs the Practical … Continue reading Episode 118 — Practical Engineering →
This episode of The Engineering Commons dives into the importance of “soft skills” to engineering professionals. A fictional giant from the 1984 Ghostbusters movie, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is the chosen form of Gozer the Gozerian. We use the LinkedIn article “Top 5 Must-Have Soft Skills for Professional Engineers” as a framework for our … Continue reading Episode 117 — Soft Skills →
Adam, Brian and Jeff discuss the electrical grid in this episode of The Engineering Commons. The difference engine, conceived of by J. H. Müller in 1786, and designed by Charles Babbage in the 1820s, is often considered the world's first computer. Brian notes that electric furnaces are increasingly used in steel production. Adam and Brian … Continue reading Episode 116 — The Grid →
Carmen and Jeff discuss mechanical bearings in this episode of The Engineering Commons podcast. Carmen has a pretty good sense of his navigational bearing, but is less knowledgeable about mechanical bearings. U.S. interstate highways are numbered with even numbered roads going primarily east-west, and odd numbered roads passing mostly north-south. Differences between skateboards and longboards … Continue reading Episode 115 — Bearings →
Brian leads our discussion of electric vehicles in this episode of The Engineering Commons podcast. Carmen notes that a single resting electron has a mass of 9.11 x 10-31 kilograms. Brian suggests some form of positronic vehicular propulsion might be possible, although radiation issues would make it impractical for most earthbound applications. One of the … Continue reading Episode 114 — Driven Electrons →
Chris Welch joins Adam, Brian, Carmen, and Jeff to talk about the field of chemical engineering. Jeff believes in unicorns, even though he's never seen one! From his childhood, Jeff recalls watching a DuPont film about “Better Living Through Chemistry.” Our guest for this episode is Chris Welch, a chemical engineer from New Brunswick, Canada, … Continue reading Episode 113 — Chemical Engineering →
The gang discusses opportunities and challenges of dealing with Baby Boomers as they depart the engineering field. Adam is aware of the “retirement cliff,” which describes an impending loss of skilled workers, nearly all of them Baby Boomers, in a short period of time. Americans tend to derive much of their self-identity from their jobs, … Continue reading Episode 112 — Boomer Exodus →
Bronwyn Bell joins Adam, Brian, Carmen, and Jeff to discuss the challenges and responsibilities of an environmental engineer working in the mining sector. Carmen likes to help out local beer brewers in harvesting hops, but he's not sure what makes for a good hops growing season. Environmental engineers plan, design and manage projects associated with … Continue reading Episode 111 — Environmental Engineering →
Adam, Brian, Carmen and Jeff discuss the activities they enjoy when escaping the workplace for a few days. Brian enjoyed reading Michael Lewis' book “The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine” on a recent vacation. Adam's vacation time is more likely spent making home repairs than traveling to the beach. Vacation spots of possible interest … Continue reading Episode 110 — Engineering Vacation →
Adam, Brian, Carmen and Jeff discuss theoretical and practical aspects of the design process, as well as the emotional states they experience when engaged in design activities. Carmen is starting to gain confidence in his design abilities. Jeff notes that a lot of his colleagues wanted to be design engineers, but the number of available … Continue reading Episode 109 — Design Process →
Adam, Brian, Carmen and Jeff discuss an engineer's sense of right and wrong, and why that worldview may conflict with organizational priorities. A recent article in Engineering & Technology Magazine addressed the issue of whether engineers are “made,” or “born.” Brian references the classic spherical chicken joke. A discussion ensues about how often engineers see … Continue reading Episode 108 — Engineering Sensibilities →
This episode of The Engineering Commons finds Adam, Brian and Jeff talking about steel, the most common of engineering metals. Jeff and Brian consider whether comic book hero Superman should have been called the “Man of Osmium,” or the “Man of Molybdenum,” rather than the “Man of Steel.” Steel is not an element one can … Continue reading Episode 107 — Steel →
Aerospace engineer Eric Becker explains the duties of a flight test engineer, and offers a few insights on dealing with operational risk, in this episode of The Engineering Commons. Like most engineers, Carmen occasionally worries whether he's made the proper decision at work. To avoid making mistakes, Carmen suggests napping under one's desk, like George … Continue reading Episode 106 — Flight Test →
Adam, Brian, Carmen and Jeff answer questions from Reddit, and discuss a few queries of their own making. Jeff is patiently waiting to be asked to consult for an obscenely large hourly rate. Brian struggles to remember the exact wording of a quotation from the movie Good Will Hunting: “Nobody in this town works without … Continue reading Episode 105 — Reddit Questions 3 →
Civil engineer Mike O'Connor shares stories of continuously revamping his professional skills to stay afloat during turbulent economic times. Adam sees economic cycles, both short- and long-term, influencing his engineering activities. Petroleum engineers have recently seen an economic downturn in their industry, similar to a downward slide suffered 30 years ago by the oil business. … Continue reading Episode 104 — Downturn →
Electrical engineer Dave Vandenbout guides us through a survey of programmable logic devices, and offers advice for young engineers wanting to succeed in the world of digital design. Brian finds his work offers a good mix of analog and digital electronic design challenges. The issue of signal integrity has been discussed on several podcasts, including … Continue reading Episode 103 — Ones and Zeros →
Metallurgical engineer Paul Cantonwine shares insights into the life and career of Admiral H. G. Rickover in this biographical episode of The Engineering Commons podcast. Adam has no interest in being associated with solar FREAKIN' roadways. (While a cool concept, not everyone believes solar roadways are feasible.) Our guest for this episode is materials engineer … Continue reading Episode 102 — Admiral Rickover →
Electrical engineer Bob Schmidt joins Adam, Carmen, Brian and Jeff to talk about the importance of making a good impression, and delivering the intended message, with effective email. Jeff readily admits that he doesn't use newer communication channels such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. Rather than use Instagram, Jeff has a Kodak carousel projector in … Continue reading Episode 101 — Effective Email →
Founding co-host Chris Gammell returns to The Engineering Commons to talk about the importance of interdisciplinary skills with Adam, Carmen and Jeff. Knowledge of heat transfer is useful in circuit design, acknowledges Carmen. As part of a required engineering class, sixteen Harvard students designed a smoker for cooking the “perfect” beef brisket. Chris' educational site, … Continue reading Episode 100 — Interdisciplinary Skills →
Adam, Brian and Jeff discuss highlights and back stories from episodes of The Engineering Commons podcast released in 2015. Brian started work the Monday after he graduated from college, and now wishes he had taken a little time off before beginning his professional career. Listener Joel suggests we invite Karl Stephan to participate in a … Continue reading Episode 99 — Review 2015 →
Mechanical engineer Jim Heilman returns to The Engineering Commons to cover questions engineers should ask before relocating to advance their careers. Adam moved for his current job, but had to abandon the high-speed internet connection he enjoyed at his previous residence. Our guest for this episode is Jim Heilman, a mechanical engineer who spent two … Continue reading Episode 98 — Relocation →
Adam, Brian, and Jeff discuss where the podcast should venture during its second hundred episodes. Adam claims to be better at long term than short-term planning. Listener feedback is encouraged as we try to sort out what topics to cover in upcoming episodes. Tutorial episodes (for example, Nuts and Bolts) seem well-received, but require substantial … Continue reading Episode 97 — Next Hundred →
This episode of The Engineering Commons finds the gang discussing how engineers are perceived by those outside the engineering field. Jeff accidentally reveals the plot of a well-known fairy tale, Rumpelstiltskin, while sharing a childhood recollection. At the end of 1981, when Jeff graduated from college, inflation in the U.S. was around 10%, six-month certificates … Continue reading Episode 96 — Perceptions →
Brian, Carmen and Jeff discuss the role of details in engineering projects, and how one goes about evaluating, managing, sharing, and documenting critical minutia. In the introduction, Jeff misses the detail that this podcast is published in November, not October. Carmen doesn't mind sweating the details, but reviewing documentation for typographical errors is not his … Continue reading Episode 95 — Details →
This epiosde of The Engineering Commons finds Adam, Brian, and Jeff discussing what it means to be relevant, and how engineers can increase their relevance on the job. Brian is not entirely sure what a thought leader is, but he's pretty certain he doesn't want to be one. However, Brian invents the perfect term for … Continue reading Episode 94 — Relevance →
Electrical engineer James Lewis stops by to share his insights on the surprisingly complex world of capacitors. Carmen introduces the show as covering “passives.” This refers to passive electrical devices that have no control over voltage, current, or signal gain. Our guest for this episode is electrical engineer James Lewis, a Marketing Director for capacitor … Continue reading Episode 93 — Capacitors →
Adam, Brian, Carmen and Jeff discuss tools they use for utility and enjoyment at home, where the cost-to-quality evaluation is slightly different than in the workplace. Jeff's collection of tools is rather ancient, as suggested by his 35 year old corded Craftsman drill, and his 20 year old cordless Mikata drill with rapidly fading batteries. … Continue reading Episode 92 — Garage Gear →
This episode of The Engineering Commons finds the guys discussing the technologies, toys, and tribulations associated with wiring one's home to the internet. Carmen is holding off on constructing his own JARVIS (Just A Rather Very Intelligent System) personal assistant until he can construct it using nothing but solder and transistor-transistor logic (TTL). Fermilab's Main … Continue reading Episode 91 — Home Automation →
Adam leads us through some key concepts related to traffic engineering in this episode of The Engineering Commons podcast. Brian has some practical reason for looking forward to self-driving cars. During 2013 the United States experienced 32,719 motor-vehicle related fatalities. Self-driving cars may have a disruptive effect on the auto insurance industry. Our guest for … Continue reading Episode 90 — Traffic Engineering →
In this episode of The Engineering Commons, we discuss the lessons we learned during our first two or three years of working as engineering professionals. Adam considers himself a fast learner, although he finds that pain occasionally increases the rapidity of his learning. In this episode, Adam, Brian, Carmen, and Jeff discuss lessons learned early … Continue reading Episode 89 — Early Lessons →
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