Surprising Solutions
Engineering is all about problem-solving.
One of my favorite design problems involved a small encoder mount for a mixing system. The encoders were used to count rotations on a screw that metered dry product into a mixer.
Operators of this equipment were breaking encoders at an alarming rate and they were expensive to replace—not to mention the equipment downtime.
After determining the root cause of the issue, it was clear that a better mount had to be produced; we designed seven pieces of laser-cut stainless steel that fit together like a puzzle. But the tricky part was how to hold all of the puzzle pieces into a sturdy mount.
The very seasoned electrical engineer working with me on the project suggested—out of the blue—a simple hairpin. I thought he had lost his mind, but after giving his idea some consideration I later discovered he was right!
Innovative solutions might seem risky and even a bit crazy at first—that’s what makes them exciting.
This is part 2 of a 3-part blog series. Today, we will be looking into how engineering-centric companies can tackle the challenges of new technologies.
