Engineers make things happen
Engineers don’t just make things, but make things happen. A huge sweeping opening statement this may be, but when a design engineer is handed a new idea, design or concept, the main objective is not just to turn a dream into a reality, but more importantly, transform it into a working design.
This sounds relatively straightforward, I know. But in practice, the process involves innumerable strategies, being technically............. <continued>
In a fix
Fixings have a critical role to play in mechanical design. First and foremost is that they physically hold components and therefore, products, together. So without them, all the gadgets and gizmos that we have known and grown to love, would fall apart. But their starring part all depends on the end goal of the product in question.
There are numerous fastenings that can be selected by a mechanical design engineer, such as bolts, screws, studs, rivets, nuts, nails, and............. <continued>
Shades of Grey
Is it me, or has anyone else noticed that everything now seems to be a shade of grey? Cars, front doors, fitted kitchens, lounge soft furnishings, window frames, luxurious padded headboards, whatever the item, it appears that grey is the colour to be sought and purchased from our High Street or online retailers alike.
In the world of mechanical design engineering, however, life couldn’t be so different. If engineers like me are doing our jobs well, then we............. <continued>
Chapter and Verse
Over the years we are thankful to have been approached to work with a variety of clients on long-term mechanical design engineering projects, but this is not always the case. We are often called upon, particularly if there is an important deadline looming or a technical bottleneck being experienced, to provide support on a short-term contract. Hence, to focus on the completion of a particular task or milestone, rather than the entire span of the development project............... <continued>
CAD Templates: An engineer’s way of achieving consistency
A big part of being a mechanical design engineer is managing the considerable amount of CAD data. Much of the inherent detail lies behind the scenes, but at the forefront are, of course, the CAD drawings. These files are paramount to the success of a design project and are treated, quite rightly, as such.
Engineers use CAD template files to consistently maintain standards and styles across a business. They are used to set, manage and............... <continued>
The comeback kids?
I was excited to read in the news that the American automotive giant, Ford, is returning to F1. Their plan to make a comeback from the 2026 season is something that I am personally going to look forward to with anticipation. I understand their restoration was a consequence of the new engine changes that pave the way for a greener racing programme, which includes increased electrical power and 100% sustainable fuels............... <continued>
Engineering: Practically Magic?
Whether I am in the Sanstec Design office or workshop, my main aspiration is generally to make something work. That may be interpreted as getting one of my classic cars to function correctly, but usually I am focused on creating a robust CAD design for a client. It doesn’t always play out that straightforward though, as more often than not, my engineering skills are called upon to weave their magic and solve technical question upon question............... <continued>
On the surface
A weekend or two ago, I was back in the Sanstec workshop renovating one of my cherished classic cars. Where the vehicle had been patiently standing for a long time, waiting for me to turn my attention to it, its door panels had unsurprisingly started to rust, where the paint was rather too thin.
So, just as with any renovation, I began to prepare the surfaces to conserve them, as I most definitely did not want them getting any................ <continued>
A bad connection
There’s been times, I’m sure, when we have all experienced a bad connection. Whether this has manifested itself as an unsatisfactory telephone or internet line, a misunderstood conversation, or a challenging relationship. In some cases, you are able to simply fix or remedy the situation, in other situations you have to approach with extreme caution and tread very carefully. My most recent encounter of a bad connection made me acknowledge the fact that................ <continued>
One Way or Another
Working with numerous design and development projects, as we have, over the 20 plus years that Sanstec Design has been operating, there have inevitably been a substantial number of clients that have required their original design files to be converted into another format. One way or another, depending on the existing data and where they want or more importantly, need to be, we have successfully problem-solved and aided them on their journey of conversion............... <continued>
2023: Easy as 1, 2 3 ?
Well, “Happy New Year everybody!” On behalf of everyone at Sanstec Design we hope you had a suitably festive season. We are all set, nicely positioned on the engineering starting blocks, ready to sprint into action. Like any start to a new year, it brings with it fresh goals and objectives. But not everything is as easy as one, two, three.
There will of course be more design and development hurdles to overcome and CAD problems to solve for our clients, but the good............... <continued>
Merry Christmas Everyone?
Well, it’s that time again. Where on earth did 2022 go? It certainly has been a challenging year for many people and businesses alike. What with the post-Covid struggle, the problems with sourcing raw materials and securing supply chains in general, plus the rise of the cost of energy and the war in Ukraine. All of this was enough in itself, then we lost the UK's longest-serving monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
But here we are. We have ridden the political and economic............... <continued>
Engineering: not just trains, planes and auto-mobiles
Engineering has continued to evolve over time to keep up with consumer demands. It is possible that when Robert Stevenson, the Wright Brothers and Henry Ford, for example, invented their specific machines, they never imagined there would be moderately affordable electric versions being designed, developed and engineered for consumers like you and me. But progress and modern times dictate that we must now bring products to the marketplace which are deemed............... <continued>
Snakes and Ladders
Sometimes a day in the office can be likened to a game of snakes and ladders. One minute you are climbing up the ladder of success, doing well and with one throw of the dice, or a slip on a wet wooden rung, you find yourself sliding back down again. But life can often be like that, with hopefully, a good balance of ups and downs, or the feeling of travelling one step forward and two back.
Reaching the top of the ladder, aspiring for that career goal or............... <continued>
CAN bus: not a public transport vehicle
You would be forgiven for thinking this blog is going to be discussing the pros and cons of your local bus service or timetable. I’m afraid this is simply not the case. Neither is it going to be anything as entertaining as the famous British sitcom, On the Buses. What it is going to focus on, however, is how a vehicle communicates internally. Still with me?
As a mechanical design engineer with more than a keen interest in old and classic vehicles, I am of course acquainted with a............... <continued>
