Masters of Technology Happy Hour Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:43:46 -0400 http://ENGTECHNICA.com en-us © 2026 Masters of Technology Happy Hour yes 9431e46f-5521-568a-887c-38804f8d5376 Roopinder episodic false Conversations with masters of technology, those who produce it or those who use it.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) engineering, cad, cae, cam, technlogy Roopinder https://storage.buzzsprout.com/l1uf8aigab240breidv9ezvn7a0l?.jpg Masters of Technology Happy Hour http://ENGTECHNICA.com Patrick Hanley, Aerodyamics Expert Patrick Hanley, Aerodyamics Expert AI can spit out thousands of “optimized” airfoils in seconds, but what happens when the objective is wrong, the mission changes, or the aircraft has to be certified and insured? We talk with Patrick Hanley, founder of Hanley Aerospace and author of Aerodynamics in Plain English, about why real aerodynamics is still built on fundamentals, not AI, not vibe coding. 

Patrick shares his story from St. Kitts and Nevis, tiny islands in the Caribbean, to MIT, and how a deep love of math turned into a lifelong habit of writing software to solve aerodynamic problems  —  in his spare time. We dig into how his CFD products evolved as the market shifted from paid tools to free alternatives, and why he kept climbing toward higher-fidelity capability. He explains the practical engineering choices behind accuracy, including why grid strategy matters so much, what validation really means, and how a focused tool like Stallion 3D can carve out a global niche even while giant multiphysics platforms dominate mindshare.

We also go beyond CFD theory into the real aerospace work: Terrafugia and the flying car program, the mission logic behind eVTOL air taxis, and the overlooked constraint that shapes urban flight more than range does: noise. 

Finally, we take a hard look at AI in engineering design, from automated shape generation to liability, and why prototypes and testing still catch the failures no simulator can predict.

]]> AI can spit out thousands of “optimized” airfoils in seconds, but what happens when the objective is wrong, the mission changes, or the aircraft has to be certified and insured? We talk with Patrick Hanley, founder of Hanley Aerospace and author of Aerodynamics in Plain English, about why real aerodynamics is still built on fundamentals, not AI, not vibe coding. 

Patrick shares his story from St. Kitts and Nevis, tiny islands in the Caribbean, to MIT, and how a deep love of math turned into a lifelong habit of writing software to solve aerodynamic problems  —  in his spare time. We dig into how his CFD products evolved as the market shifted from paid tools to free alternatives, and why he kept climbing toward higher-fidelity capability. He explains the practical engineering choices behind accuracy, including why grid strategy matters so much, what validation really means, and how a focused tool like Stallion 3D can carve out a global niche even while giant multiphysics platforms dominate mindshare.

We also go beyond CFD theory into the real aerospace work: Terrafugia and the flying car program, the mission logic behind eVTOL air taxis, and the overlooked constraint that shapes urban flight more than range does: noise. 

Finally, we take a hard look at AI in engineering design, from automated shape generation to liability, and why prototypes and testing still catch the failures no simulator can predict.

]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-19345655 Sun, 14 Jun 2026 19:00:00 -0400 3409 2 7 full false Steve Benesi of FM Technology Has Mastered UVF Filtration. Over 30 Patents Prove It. Steve Benesi of FM Technology Has Mastered UVF Filtration. Over 30 Patents Prove It. If you’ve ever looked at a “simple” filtration problem and then watched it explode into slurry chemistry, media selection, power constraints, and environmental risk, you’ll feel right at home here. I’m joined by Steve Benisi, CEO and founder of FM Technologies, an inventor with so many patents, he has lost count. "It's roughly 35 to 40 patents," he says. He has decades of experience building industrial filtration systems that have to perform under real mine-site conditions. 

We start with Steve’s origin story, including the pressure filtration technology he developed in 1989 and later sold as a major acquisition, and why he moved from pressure filters into next-generation vacuum filtration. 

From there we get into the engineering of Steve’s Universal Vacuum Filter (UVF): what “solids-liquid separation” really means in practice, how filtration rate, cake dryness, and filtrate clarity get measured, and why continuous operation matters when downtime is expensive. Steve explains the hands-on grind behind advanced filter media development and the design choices that aim to reduce water use, cut vacuum and compressed air power, and shrink the equipment footprint compared to conventional vacuum disc filters and filter presses. If you care about mining tailings filtration, dewatering, minerals processing, or reducing operating costs while improving performance, this one is loaded with specifics. 

We also talk candidly about mining realities, including remote operations, the knowledge gap between corporate layers and on-the-ground testing, and the consequences when tailings management fails. To close, Steve lays out a practical roadmap for engineers who want to patent their work: provisional applications, utility patents, why rejection is normal, and when confidentiality agreements can protect you before you spend big. 

]]> If you’ve ever looked at a “simple” filtration problem and then watched it explode into slurry chemistry, media selection, power constraints, and environmental risk, you’ll feel right at home here. I’m joined by Steve Benisi, CEO and founder of FM Technologies, an inventor with so many patents, he has lost count. "It's roughly 35 to 40 patents," he says. He has decades of experience building industrial filtration systems that have to perform under real mine-site conditions. 

We start with Steve’s origin story, including the pressure filtration technology he developed in 1989 and later sold as a major acquisition, and why he moved from pressure filters into next-generation vacuum filtration. 

From there we get into the engineering of Steve’s Universal Vacuum Filter (UVF): what “solids-liquid separation” really means in practice, how filtration rate, cake dryness, and filtrate clarity get measured, and why continuous operation matters when downtime is expensive. Steve explains the hands-on grind behind advanced filter media development and the design choices that aim to reduce water use, cut vacuum and compressed air power, and shrink the equipment footprint compared to conventional vacuum disc filters and filter presses. If you care about mining tailings filtration, dewatering, minerals processing, or reducing operating costs while improving performance, this one is loaded with specifics. 

We also talk candidly about mining realities, including remote operations, the knowledge gap between corporate layers and on-the-ground testing, and the consequences when tailings management fails. To close, Steve lays out a practical roadmap for engineers who want to patent their work: provisional applications, utility patents, why rejection is normal, and when confidentiality agreements can protect you before you spend big. 

]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-19309289 Sun, 07 Jun 2026 19:00:00 -0400 2421 2 8 full false Michael Finocchiaro: Engineering Software Startups and the Money Behind Them Michael Finocchiaro: Engineering Software Startups and the Money Behind Them Michael "Fino" Finocchiaro unpacks a massive market map of engineering and manufacturing software startups, some of them real products. We debate where AI is truly moving the needle in CAD, PLM, and factory software and what an “OpenAI moment” in engineering could actually look like. 

• Building a 200-300 startup database from founder interviews and repeated data scans 
• Defining categories like design intelligence and cognitive thread to fit modern engineering software 
• Turning research into Threadmoat with interactive filters and advanced startup analytics 
• Using financial heat maps to reason about burn rate and capital efficiency 
• Mapping customers and investors to expose adoption patterns and hidden clusters 
• Tracking funding spikes since 2022 and asking what drives investment in engineering AI 
• Learning from “Prove It” model where vendors must run on virtual factories 
• Debating text-to-CAD versus AI as a new CAD engine that preserves parametric history 
• Arguing for leaner PLM plus a semantic layer and agent-ready integration over customization 
• Sketching a startup-first conference model with hyperscaler and VC sponsorship 


]]> Michael "Fino" Finocchiaro unpacks a massive market map of engineering and manufacturing software startups, some of them real products. We debate where AI is truly moving the needle in CAD, PLM, and factory software and what an “OpenAI moment” in engineering could actually look like. 

• Building a 200-300 startup database from founder interviews and repeated data scans 
• Defining categories like design intelligence and cognitive thread to fit modern engineering software 
• Turning research into Threadmoat with interactive filters and advanced startup analytics 
• Using financial heat maps to reason about burn rate and capital efficiency 
• Mapping customers and investors to expose adoption patterns and hidden clusters 
• Tracking funding spikes since 2022 and asking what drives investment in engineering AI 
• Learning from “Prove It” model where vendors must run on virtual factories 
• Debating text-to-CAD versus AI as a new CAD engine that preserves parametric history 
• Arguing for leaner PLM plus a semantic layer and agent-ready integration over customization 
• Sketching a startup-first conference model with hyperscaler and VC sponsorship 


]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-18997068 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0400 2774 full false Richard Doyle, the User Group Guy Richard Doyle, the User Group Guy We catch up with Richard Doyle, the “User Group Guy,” on how CAD communities get built, how they drift when marketing takes over, and why that shift changes what users feel they can trust. We also talk through his move to Las Vegas, poker discipline, career setbacks, and what it’s like to return to full-time mechanical design while still advocating for users.
• SolidWorks World memories and what long-running conferences signal about loyalty 
• Moving to Las Vegas and why poker sharpened his mindset 
• The origin of “User Group Guy” and what the label means 
• Why user group meetings should focus on learning and community, not selling 
• The pressure to promote 3DEXPERIENCE and the friction it created with desktop CAD users 
• How Autodesk University and other events evolved from user-first to vendor-led 
• Leadership stories and the impact of “kill SolidWorks” messaging 
• Layoffs, debt, ageism concerns, and rebuilding with a new design role 
• Staying current in CAD and what daily SolidWorks use reveals 
• Why Onshape stands out, especially mates in assemblies 
• Building Onshape user groups fast, then adapting during the pandemic 
• The limits of online meetings and why real connection still physical presence  — and beer


]]> We catch up with Richard Doyle, the “User Group Guy,” on how CAD communities get built, how they drift when marketing takes over, and why that shift changes what users feel they can trust. We also talk through his move to Las Vegas, poker discipline, career setbacks, and what it’s like to return to full-time mechanical design while still advocating for users.
• SolidWorks World memories and what long-running conferences signal about loyalty 
• Moving to Las Vegas and why poker sharpened his mindset 
• The origin of “User Group Guy” and what the label means 
• Why user group meetings should focus on learning and community, not selling 
• The pressure to promote 3DEXPERIENCE and the friction it created with desktop CAD users 
• How Autodesk University and other events evolved from user-first to vendor-led 
• Leadership stories and the impact of “kill SolidWorks” messaging 
• Layoffs, debt, ageism concerns, and rebuilding with a new design role 
• Staying current in CAD and what daily SolidWorks use reveals 
• Why Onshape stands out, especially mates in assemblies 
• Building Onshape user groups fast, then adapting during the pandemic 
• The limits of online meetings and why real connection still physical presence  — and beer


]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-19073217 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:00:00 -0400 2140 2 5 full false Tetsuo Hara: One Breath To 100 Meters Depth Tetsuo Hara: One Breath To 100 Meters Depth And now for something completely different. We hold our breath and go underwater with Tetsuo Hara, champion free diver. Tetsuo is a tech executive  by day and in his free time, an elite freediver. He set a Guinness World Record by reaching 100 meters in constant weight at age 58. He explains why deep dives are won with preparation, calm, and systems thinking, not bravado.
• Constant weight freediving basics and what 113 meters feels like under pressure 
• How an engineering mindset turns the body into a trainable system 
• The real drivers of performance like CO2 tolerance, equalization, relaxation, and lung flexibility 
• Training progression that builds confidence by going shallow first 
• Why the urge to breathe is mostly CO2 and how training delays the reflex 
• Close calls, abort decisions, and the safety logic that keeps divers alive 
• Ideal deep dive conditions including warmth, visibility, low current, and free fall 
• Pre-competition food and hydration choices plus why scuba holds no appeal 
• Lessons from the sport on consistency, community and facing yourself 


]]> And now for something completely different. We hold our breath and go underwater with Tetsuo Hara, champion free diver. Tetsuo is a tech executive  by day and in his free time, an elite freediver. He set a Guinness World Record by reaching 100 meters in constant weight at age 58. He explains why deep dives are won with preparation, calm, and systems thinking, not bravado.
• Constant weight freediving basics and what 113 meters feels like under pressure 
• How an engineering mindset turns the body into a trainable system 
• The real drivers of performance like CO2 tolerance, equalization, relaxation, and lung flexibility 
• Training progression that builds confidence by going shallow first 
• Why the urge to breathe is mostly CO2 and how training delays the reflex 
• Close calls, abort decisions, and the safety logic that keeps divers alive 
• Ideal deep dive conditions including warmth, visibility, low current, and free fall 
• Pre-competition food and hydration choices plus why scuba holds no appeal 
• Lessons from the sport on consistency, community and facing yourself 


]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-18955727 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 20:00:00 -0400 2080 full false Edson Gebo. SolidWorks Power User Gets Laid Off Edson Gebo. SolidWorks Power User Gets Laid Off We sit down with Edson Gebo, mechanical designer and a veteran SOLIDWORKS power user, who was laid off from a metal additive startup and navigated three hard months of searching to land a new role. We discuss ATSs (applicant tracking systems) that are used almost universally by HR, ageism, networking that works, and the human-first tactics that beat the bots.

• Funding runway, pivot and layoff at a metal AM startup
• Three months of job hunting surprises and setbacks
• ATS filters, degree screens and resume tailoring
• Cost pressure, ageism and the “pliable” hire
• Why engineers must shape engineering software
• Consulting versus full-time tradeoffs and timing
• The short contract that bridged to a new offer
• LinkedIn warm intros and seven interviews won
• Advice for grads on internships and user groups
• Real networking over keyword gaming

“Join me as we talk to some of the most interesting people in the design and engineering software community.”


]]> We sit down with Edson Gebo, mechanical designer and a veteran SOLIDWORKS power user, who was laid off from a metal additive startup and navigated three hard months of searching to land a new role. We discuss ATSs (applicant tracking systems) that are used almost universally by HR, ageism, networking that works, and the human-first tactics that beat the bots.

• Funding runway, pivot and layoff at a metal AM startup
• Three months of job hunting surprises and setbacks
• ATS filters, degree screens and resume tailoring
• Cost pressure, ageism and the “pliable” hire
• Why engineers must shape engineering software
• Consulting versus full-time tradeoffs and timing
• The short contract that bridged to a new offer
• LinkedIn warm intros and seven interviews won
• Advice for grads on internships and user groups
• Real networking over keyword gaming

“Join me as we talk to some of the most interesting people in the design and engineering software community.”


]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-18690490 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 20:00:00 -0500 2701 full false Bernard Murphy: Writing for the Sheer Pleasure of It Bernard Murphy: Writing for the Sheer Pleasure of It We sit down with Bernard Murphy to explore how a physicist became a trusted voice in semiconductors and why storytelling makes or breaks technical ideas. Along the way we unpack NVIDIA’s pivot, Apple’s chip strategy, on‑device AI, and the shifting media landscape in tech.

• Moving from Silicon Valley to the Sierra foothills
• Wildlife rescue as context and purpose
• Writing as a learnable craft through coaching
• Hero’s journey adapted for technical writing
• Problem-first narratives that beat feature lists
• NVIDIA’s matrix engines repurposed for AI
• Apple’s vertical integration and custom silicon
• On‑device AI vs cloud latency and privacy
• Energy costs, smaller models, and inference
• Paid, earned, and self‑published tech media
• Measuring impact beyond pageviews


]]> We sit down with Bernard Murphy to explore how a physicist became a trusted voice in semiconductors and why storytelling makes or breaks technical ideas. Along the way we unpack NVIDIA’s pivot, Apple’s chip strategy, on‑device AI, and the shifting media landscape in tech.

• Moving from Silicon Valley to the Sierra foothills
• Wildlife rescue as context and purpose
• Writing as a learnable craft through coaching
• Hero’s journey adapted for technical writing
• Problem-first narratives that beat feature lists
• NVIDIA’s matrix engines repurposed for AI
• Apple’s vertical integration and custom silicon
• On‑device AI vs cloud latency and privacy
• Energy costs, smaller models, and inference
• Paid, earned, and self‑published tech media
• Measuring impact beyond pageviews


]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-18315128 Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:00:00 -0500 3611 1 15 full false Grant Rochelle, from Bike Crashes to Hiking Around Everest, with a Whole Lot of CAD In-between Grant Rochelle, from Bike Crashes to Hiking Around Everest, with a Whole Lot of CAD In-between We swap crash tales, altitude math, and plans for a 21,000‑foot trek while sharing how injury, MS, and early retirement reshaped our choices. Between Garmin alerts and book drafts, we weigh risk, recovery, and why some goals still feel worth the climb.

• Cycling crashes, concussions and a hip fracture
• Blackouts and memory gaps around impacts
• Trekking to Everest Base Camp and high passes
• Altitude, acclimatization and Diamox trade-offs
• Planning a 21,000‑foot trekking peak without oxygen
•MS diagnosis (wife) and early retirement
• Risk tolerance as we age and safer sport options
• Turning travel journals into a self-published book
• Testing Amazon’s publishing tools

]]> We swap crash tales, altitude math, and plans for a 21,000‑foot trek while sharing how injury, MS, and early retirement reshaped our choices. Between Garmin alerts and book drafts, we weigh risk, recovery, and why some goals still feel worth the climb.

• Cycling crashes, concussions and a hip fracture
• Blackouts and memory gaps around impacts
• Trekking to Everest Base Camp and high passes
• Altitude, acclimatization and Diamox trade-offs
• Planning a 21,000‑foot trekking peak without oxygen
•MS diagnosis (wife) and early retirement
• Risk tolerance as we age and safer sport options
• Turning travel journals into a self-published book
• Testing Amazon’s publishing tools

]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-18018295 Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:00:00 -0400 844 1 14 full false Kenneth Wong, the Most Well Rounded CAD Journalist Kenneth Wong, the Most Well Rounded CAD Journalist We trade press releases for real stories with Kenneth Wong—writer, artist, photographer, and Burmese language instructor at UC Berkeley—exploring how tools, culture, and ethics shape the way we create. From tea leaf salad to Apple Pencil, from cloud CAD to AI, follow Kenneth's journey.


• Literary craft applied to B2B tech writing 
• Pragmatic uses of AI for summaries, transcripts, and creative prompts 
• Caffeine rituals, tea leaf salad, and cultural memory 
• Life in socialist Burma and communal norms vs American privacy 
• Drawing and photography on iPad, pressure sensitivity, and tactility 
• Why consumer-grade UX often outpaces enterprise CAD 
• Cloud adoption, subscription backlash, and industry inertia 
• AI for design intent vs button hunting, where it truly helps 
• Creative rights, style theft, face recognition, and ethics 
• Teaching Burmese: rules vs reflex and cognitive load 
• Travel to the Thailand–Burma border and personal risk 
• Robotaxis, rideshares, and enjoying small talk


]]> We trade press releases for real stories with Kenneth Wong—writer, artist, photographer, and Burmese language instructor at UC Berkeley—exploring how tools, culture, and ethics shape the way we create. From tea leaf salad to Apple Pencil, from cloud CAD to AI, follow Kenneth's journey.


• Literary craft applied to B2B tech writing 
• Pragmatic uses of AI for summaries, transcripts, and creative prompts 
• Caffeine rituals, tea leaf salad, and cultural memory 
• Life in socialist Burma and communal norms vs American privacy 
• Drawing and photography on iPad, pressure sensitivity, and tactility 
• Why consumer-grade UX often outpaces enterprise CAD 
• Cloud adoption, subscription backlash, and industry inertia 
• AI for design intent vs button hunting, where it truly helps 
• Creative rights, style theft, face recognition, and ethics 
• Teaching Burmese: rules vs reflex and cognitive load 
• Travel to the Thailand–Burma border and personal risk 
• Robotaxis, rideshares, and enjoying small talk


]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-17958861 Sun, 05 Oct 2025 13:00:00 -0400 2423 1 13 full true S1 Ep 12: Jon Hirschtick, from Blackjack to Cloud-Native CAD S1 Ep 12: Jon Hirschtick, from Blackjack to Cloud-Native CAD Jon Hirschtick, founder of SolidWorks and co-founder of Onshape, shares his journey from developing groundbreaking CAD software to his current role as Executive Vice President and Chief Evangelist at PTC. His 44-year perspective on the CAD industry reveals how most design tools in use today predate both AI and the internet in their architecture, creating limitations as companies try to incorporate cutting-edge technologies.

• Cloud-native architecture uniquely positions Onshape for AI integration with massive compute capabilities, 50 million CAD data items, and three-week release cycles
• Most CAD tools still used today have major elements written before the internet existed, limiting their ability to fully leverage modern technologies
• Onshape was built as a collaborative PDM system with CAD built on top, addressing fundamental workflow challenges
• Regular release cycles (every three weeks) are essential for successfully integrating AI capabilities, which will require numerous iterations
• PTC is implementing AI features across all product lines including Onshape, ServiceMax, Creo, Windchill, and Codebeamer
• John's engineering journey began with electronics and computer programming before discovering product design in college
• The drive for continuous improvement remains central to Onshape's philosophy: "We don't measure ourselves merely by how much better we are than old systems."


]]> Jon Hirschtick, founder of SolidWorks and co-founder of Onshape, shares his journey from developing groundbreaking CAD software to his current role as Executive Vice President and Chief Evangelist at PTC. His 44-year perspective on the CAD industry reveals how most design tools in use today predate both AI and the internet in their architecture, creating limitations as companies try to incorporate cutting-edge technologies.

• Cloud-native architecture uniquely positions Onshape for AI integration with massive compute capabilities, 50 million CAD data items, and three-week release cycles
• Most CAD tools still used today have major elements written before the internet existed, limiting their ability to fully leverage modern technologies
• Onshape was built as a collaborative PDM system with CAD built on top, addressing fundamental workflow challenges
• Regular release cycles (every three weeks) are essential for successfully integrating AI capabilities, which will require numerous iterations
• PTC is implementing AI features across all product lines including Onshape, ServiceMax, Creo, Windchill, and Codebeamer
• John's engineering journey began with electronics and computer programming before discovering product design in college
• The drive for continuous improvement remains central to Onshape's philosophy: "We don't measure ourselves merely by how much better we are than old systems."


]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-17803039 Sun, 07 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0400 1122 full false S1 Ep 11: David Cohn, an Architect's Journey Through CAD S1 Ep 11: David Cohn, an Architect's Journey Through CAD David Cohn shares his extraordinary journey from architect to CAD pioneer and influential technology journalist during the pivotal early days of computer-aided design software.

• David's background as an architect and almost Olympic-qualifying run
• How government contract requirements forced architectural firms to adopt CAD technology
• First experience with AutoCAD 1.4 and its mere 28 commands
• Creation of the Memphis AutoCAD User Group newsletter
• Development of architectural add-ons for AutoCAD that predated SketchUp
• Journey from newsletter publisher to editor in chief of Cadalyst magazine
• Confrontation with Autodesk CEO Carol Bartz over the problematic Release 13
• Battle for editorial independence when covering Autodesk products
• Establishing Eclipse Software as an early AutoCAD third-party developer
• The surprising role software piracy played in AutoCAD's early market success


]]> David Cohn shares his extraordinary journey from architect to CAD pioneer and influential technology journalist during the pivotal early days of computer-aided design software.

• David's background as an architect and almost Olympic-qualifying run
• How government contract requirements forced architectural firms to adopt CAD technology
• First experience with AutoCAD 1.4 and its mere 28 commands
• Creation of the Memphis AutoCAD User Group newsletter
• Development of architectural add-ons for AutoCAD that predated SketchUp
• Journey from newsletter publisher to editor in chief of Cadalyst magazine
• Confrontation with Autodesk CEO Carol Bartz over the problematic Release 13
• Battle for editorial independence when covering Autodesk products
• Establishing Eclipse Software as an early AutoCAD third-party developer
• The surprising role software piracy played in AutoCAD's early market success


]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-17791234 Thu, 04 Sep 2025 15:00:00 -0400 2414 full false S1 Ep10: John McEleney's CAD Revolutions from Desktop to Cloud S1 Ep10: John McEleney's CAD Revolutions from Desktop to Cloud When technological platforms shift, opportunities for disruption emerge. Few people understand this principle better than John McEleney, who has twice been at the center of CAD industry revolutions – first as SolidWorks CEO during the 2D-to-3D transition, and later as Onshape co-founder when cloud computing transformed design collaboration.

In this wide-ranging conversation, McEleney takes us back to the mid-1990s when he created the famous "plume chart" that visualized how 3D CAD would expand from specialized applications into the mainstream market. He reveals SolidWorks' strategic genius: rather than targeting committed Pro/ENGINEER users or complete CAD novices, they focused on the sweet spot – companies with "two seats of 3D knowledge and eight seats of 2D." This approach minimized both the resistance of entrenched users and the educational burden of complete beginners.

The discussion shifts to McEleney's early recognition of cloud computing's potential. After attending an AWS event around 2008, he became convinced that cloud technology would "totally change things completely," eventually leading him to co-found Onshape. Though the engineering community initially resisted cloud-based design, McEleney explains how security concerns have reversed – cloud systems can now instantly patch vulnerabilities across all users, while traditional installed software might take "years" to update everyone.

Looking toward the future, McEleney offers a nuanced view of AI's role in engineering design. Rather than AI systems that attempt to "design a car" from scratch, he envisions AI as a "river guide" helping engineers navigate complex design decisions by connecting unstructured data and revealing the ripple effects of changes. "I'm hugely optimistic about AI impacting and helping engineers," he explains, "not replacing them, but improving their reasoning and visibility."

Perhaps most fascinating is McEleney's insight into innovation itself. He shares how Onshape's revolutionary FeatureScript language emerged from a gut feeling about its potential power, even though the team couldn't fully articulate its applications at the time. This story highlights a crucial lesson: sometimes the most transformative innovations require faith in technology's possibilities before all use cases are clear.

Ready to explore how platform shifts create opportunities and how AI might transform engineering? Listen now and gain insights from one of CAD's most influential innovators.

]]> When technological platforms shift, opportunities for disruption emerge. Few people understand this principle better than John McEleney, who has twice been at the center of CAD industry revolutions – first as SolidWorks CEO during the 2D-to-3D transition, and later as Onshape co-founder when cloud computing transformed design collaboration.

In this wide-ranging conversation, McEleney takes us back to the mid-1990s when he created the famous "plume chart" that visualized how 3D CAD would expand from specialized applications into the mainstream market. He reveals SolidWorks' strategic genius: rather than targeting committed Pro/ENGINEER users or complete CAD novices, they focused on the sweet spot – companies with "two seats of 3D knowledge and eight seats of 2D." This approach minimized both the resistance of entrenched users and the educational burden of complete beginners.

The discussion shifts to McEleney's early recognition of cloud computing's potential. After attending an AWS event around 2008, he became convinced that cloud technology would "totally change things completely," eventually leading him to co-found Onshape. Though the engineering community initially resisted cloud-based design, McEleney explains how security concerns have reversed – cloud systems can now instantly patch vulnerabilities across all users, while traditional installed software might take "years" to update everyone.

Looking toward the future, McEleney offers a nuanced view of AI's role in engineering design. Rather than AI systems that attempt to "design a car" from scratch, he envisions AI as a "river guide" helping engineers navigate complex design decisions by connecting unstructured data and revealing the ripple effects of changes. "I'm hugely optimistic about AI impacting and helping engineers," he explains, "not replacing them, but improving their reasoning and visibility."

Perhaps most fascinating is McEleney's insight into innovation itself. He shares how Onshape's revolutionary FeatureScript language emerged from a gut feeling about its potential power, even though the team couldn't fully articulate its applications at the time. This story highlights a crucial lesson: sometimes the most transformative innovations require faith in technology's possibilities before all use cases are clear.

Ready to explore how platform shifts create opportunities and how AI might transform engineering? Listen now and gain insights from one of CAD's most influential innovators.

]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-17627298 Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:00:00 -0400 2562 full false S1 Ep 9: Greg Jankowski's 15-Year Journey with SolidWorks S1 Ep 9: Greg Jankowski's 15-Year Journey with SolidWorks Greg Jankowski shares his 15-year journey at SolidWorks, from early adoption as user #1401 to becoming a key contributor who helped build one of the most passionate communities in CAD history. His perspective on the evolution from drawing boards to digital design reveals how SolidWorks democratized 3D modeling by bringing professional tools to Windows PCs.

• Started career on drawing boards before discovering SolidWorks through a vague Design News advertisement
• Became one of the first Certified SolidWorks Experts (CSWE) and authored the SolidWorks hardware benchmark
• Created the popular CAD Admin Bootcamp at SolidWorks World to help users optimize hardware for complex modeling
• Authored "SolidWorks for Dummies" in just three months while maintaining his regular job
• Emphasized the unique camaraderie of SolidWorks users compared to other software communities
• Worked extensively with SolidWorks founder Scott Harris, who advised always maintaining the customer perspective
• Recently retired after spending his post-SolidWorks career working with Salesforce Experience Cloud


]]> Greg Jankowski shares his 15-year journey at SolidWorks, from early adoption as user #1401 to becoming a key contributor who helped build one of the most passionate communities in CAD history. His perspective on the evolution from drawing boards to digital design reveals how SolidWorks democratized 3D modeling by bringing professional tools to Windows PCs.

• Started career on drawing boards before discovering SolidWorks through a vague Design News advertisement
• Became one of the first Certified SolidWorks Experts (CSWE) and authored the SolidWorks hardware benchmark
• Created the popular CAD Admin Bootcamp at SolidWorks World to help users optimize hardware for complex modeling
• Authored "SolidWorks for Dummies" in just three months while maintaining his regular job
• Emphasized the unique camaraderie of SolidWorks users compared to other software communities
• Worked extensively with SolidWorks founder Scott Harris, who advised always maintaining the customer perspective
• Recently retired after spending his post-SolidWorks career working with Salesforce Experience Cloud


]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-17541360 Mon, 21 Jul 2025 16:00:00 -0400 1495 full false S1 Ep8: Matt Lombard, Power CAD User, Author and Musician S1 Ep8: Matt Lombard, Power CAD User, Author and Musician Step into the fascinating world where engineering expertise meets AI skepticism as Matt Lombard, author of the renowned SolidWorks Bible, shares his candid thoughts on the evolution of design technology. This conversation cuts through the marketing hype surrounding AI in CAD software, revealing the stark reality gap between what's promised and what's actually useful to practicing engineers.

Lombard draws from decades of experience pushing CAD software to its limits, particularly with complex surface modeling. His journey from developing SOLIDWORKS training materials to evaluating modern AI implementations provides a unique lens through which to view these technological developments. With refreshing honesty, he explains why many of today's AI-generated designs might look impressive but fail to meet real-world manufacturing requirements.

The discussion takes an unexpected turn when Lombard reveals his parallel life as a musician, leading trombone quartets and brass quintets while arranging music in his spare time. His path from the New England Conservatory through Navy service as a musician to eventually becoming an engineering authority demonstrates the fascinating connections between mathematical thinking and musical aptitude that so many technical professionals share.

For anyone working with CAD software, considering AI implementation in design workflows, or curious about the future direction of engineering tools, this conversation offers valuable perspective. Lombard's practical insights challenge us to think more critically about technological hype while embracing innovations that genuinely enhance human capabilities rather than attempting to replace them.

]]> Step into the fascinating world where engineering expertise meets AI skepticism as Matt Lombard, author of the renowned SolidWorks Bible, shares his candid thoughts on the evolution of design technology. This conversation cuts through the marketing hype surrounding AI in CAD software, revealing the stark reality gap between what's promised and what's actually useful to practicing engineers.

Lombard draws from decades of experience pushing CAD software to its limits, particularly with complex surface modeling. His journey from developing SOLIDWORKS training materials to evaluating modern AI implementations provides a unique lens through which to view these technological developments. With refreshing honesty, he explains why many of today's AI-generated designs might look impressive but fail to meet real-world manufacturing requirements.

The discussion takes an unexpected turn when Lombard reveals his parallel life as a musician, leading trombone quartets and brass quintets while arranging music in his spare time. His path from the New England Conservatory through Navy service as a musician to eventually becoming an engineering authority demonstrates the fascinating connections between mathematical thinking and musical aptitude that so many technical professionals share.

For anyone working with CAD software, considering AI implementation in design workflows, or curious about the future direction of engineering tools, this conversation offers valuable perspective. Lombard's practical insights challenge us to think more critically about technological hype while embracing innovations that genuinely enhance human capabilities rather than attempting to replace them.

]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-17411319 Fri, 27 Jun 2025 17:00:00 -0400 2537 1 8 full false S1 Ep 7: Scott Harris on Starting SolidWorks and Onshape S1 Ep 7: Scott Harris on Starting SolidWorks and Onshape Scott Harris takes us on a captivating journey through the evolution of CAD software, sharing insider stories from his pivotal roles in creating both SOLIDWORKS and Onshape—the two most influential professional MCAD systems of our time.

From his early days at Pratt Whitney where he mapped out jet engine components on graph paper, to the revolutionary moment when 3D solid modeling "clicked" for him, Harris reveals how understanding engineers' actual needs transformed an industry. "Software designed by software people is easy to use if you know how to use it," he explains. "But engineers—some of the smartest people on earth—can't use their software."

When SOLIDWORKS launched in 1995, it wasn't just another CAD program—it was engineered specifically for how mechanical engineers think. The small founding team faced enormous technical challenges and competition from industry giants, yet their strategic focus on solving critical problems rather than building every possible feature proved decisive. Harris takes us behind the scenes of those early days, describing the team dynamics that fueled innovation: "We argued a lot, which I think was actually healthy... You want people that bring different points of view to the table."

Years later, as cloud technology emerged, Harris and many original SOLIDWORKS team members reunited to create Onshape, addressing fundamental limitations of file-based CAD systems. The database-driven approach eliminated common frustrations like lost work from crashes and enabled true collaborative engineering. As Harris puts it, "There's a lot of problems we had that we didn't know we had."

Looking toward the future, Harris sees artificial intelligence as the next transformative force in CAD, potentially delivering tools that support the messy, iterative reality of engineering design rather than forcing linear workflows. His insights offer a fascinating glimpse into both CAD history and where the technology is headed.

Are you curious about how today's engineering software evolved and where it's going next? This conversation with one of the industry's true pioneers provides rare perspective on the past, present, and future of how we design the physical world.

]]> Scott Harris takes us on a captivating journey through the evolution of CAD software, sharing insider stories from his pivotal roles in creating both SOLIDWORKS and Onshape—the two most influential professional MCAD systems of our time.

From his early days at Pratt Whitney where he mapped out jet engine components on graph paper, to the revolutionary moment when 3D solid modeling "clicked" for him, Harris reveals how understanding engineers' actual needs transformed an industry. "Software designed by software people is easy to use if you know how to use it," he explains. "But engineers—some of the smartest people on earth—can't use their software."

When SOLIDWORKS launched in 1995, it wasn't just another CAD program—it was engineered specifically for how mechanical engineers think. The small founding team faced enormous technical challenges and competition from industry giants, yet their strategic focus on solving critical problems rather than building every possible feature proved decisive. Harris takes us behind the scenes of those early days, describing the team dynamics that fueled innovation: "We argued a lot, which I think was actually healthy... You want people that bring different points of view to the table."

Years later, as cloud technology emerged, Harris and many original SOLIDWORKS team members reunited to create Onshape, addressing fundamental limitations of file-based CAD systems. The database-driven approach eliminated common frustrations like lost work from crashes and enabled true collaborative engineering. As Harris puts it, "There's a lot of problems we had that we didn't know we had."

Looking toward the future, Harris sees artificial intelligence as the next transformative force in CAD, potentially delivering tools that support the messy, iterative reality of engineering design rather than forcing linear workflows. His insights offer a fascinating glimpse into both CAD history and where the technology is headed.

Are you curious about how today's engineering software evolved and where it's going next? This conversation with one of the industry's true pioneers provides rare perspective on the past, present, and future of how we design the physical world.

]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-17354458 Thu, 19 Jun 2025 09:00:00 -0400 1989 1 7 full false S1 Ep 6: Aaron Moncur, World's Busiest Engineer S1 Ep 6: Aaron Moncur, World's Busiest Engineer Meet Aaron, a remarkable engineering polymath whose journey from Hawaiian surfer to Arizona-based entrepreneur reveals the power of pursuing diverse passions with intention. Growing up on Oahu's beaches, Aaron's love for riding the waves at the famous Bonsai Pipeline would later inspire his company's name and mission to become "the pinnacle of engineering."

What truly sets Aaron apart isn't just his impressive credentials—mechanical engineering degree from BYU, biomedical engineering master's from ASU, and ownership of Pipeline Design and Engineering. It's his extraordinary commitment to using his skills to create positive change. Following a frightening school threat incident at his son's high school, Aaron established a CAD Club that uses engineering as a vehicle to show students what healthy adult behavior looks like while teaching valuable skills. Five terms later, several graduates have gone on to pursue engineering degrees in college with Aaron's recommendation letters supporting their applications.

The conversation reveals a man who maintains remarkable balance amidst multiple commitments. Despite running a business, hosting a long-running engineering podcast, organizing the Product Development Expo, and maintaining a consistent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practice (even after suffering a torn ACL), Aaron prioritizes family dinner each night and helping get his children off to school in the mornings. His wife Kayla, described as "amazing and very capable," has been instrumental in supporting his diverse pursuits.

Perhaps most inspiring is Aaron's personal philosophy: "Joy is really at the end of every why." When asked about his motivations, he explains that helping others has always brought him fulfillment. This guiding principle illuminates everything from his business approach to his community initiatives. Whether discussing Arizona's new surf lagoon, his educational journey, or the ten life tenets he teaches his CAD Club students, Aaron demonstrates how engineering expertise can become a platform for mentorship, community building, and personal growth.

Join us for this fascinating conversation about finding purpose through technical excellence and using professional skills to shape the next generation. Want to learn more about Aaron's innovative approaches to engineering and education? Follow his work with Pipeline Design and Engineering and consider how you might apply similar principles in your own field.

]]> Meet Aaron, a remarkable engineering polymath whose journey from Hawaiian surfer to Arizona-based entrepreneur reveals the power of pursuing diverse passions with intention. Growing up on Oahu's beaches, Aaron's love for riding the waves at the famous Bonsai Pipeline would later inspire his company's name and mission to become "the pinnacle of engineering."

What truly sets Aaron apart isn't just his impressive credentials—mechanical engineering degree from BYU, biomedical engineering master's from ASU, and ownership of Pipeline Design and Engineering. It's his extraordinary commitment to using his skills to create positive change. Following a frightening school threat incident at his son's high school, Aaron established a CAD Club that uses engineering as a vehicle to show students what healthy adult behavior looks like while teaching valuable skills. Five terms later, several graduates have gone on to pursue engineering degrees in college with Aaron's recommendation letters supporting their applications.

The conversation reveals a man who maintains remarkable balance amidst multiple commitments. Despite running a business, hosting a long-running engineering podcast, organizing the Product Development Expo, and maintaining a consistent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practice (even after suffering a torn ACL), Aaron prioritizes family dinner each night and helping get his children off to school in the mornings. His wife Kayla, described as "amazing and very capable," has been instrumental in supporting his diverse pursuits.

Perhaps most inspiring is Aaron's personal philosophy: "Joy is really at the end of every why." When asked about his motivations, he explains that helping others has always brought him fulfillment. This guiding principle illuminates everything from his business approach to his community initiatives. Whether discussing Arizona's new surf lagoon, his educational journey, or the ten life tenets he teaches his CAD Club students, Aaron demonstrates how engineering expertise can become a platform for mentorship, community building, and personal growth.

Join us for this fascinating conversation about finding purpose through technical excellence and using professional skills to shape the next generation. Want to learn more about Aaron's innovative approaches to engineering and education? Follow his work with Pipeline Design and Engineering and consider how you might apply similar principles in your own field.

]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-17256381 Fri, 30 May 2025 20:00:00 -0400 1735 1 6 full false S1 Ep 5: From Rockets to Design Revolution: Sohrab's Engineering Journey S1 Ep 5: From Rockets to Design Revolution: Sohrab's Engineering Journey Ever wondered why design software hasn't kept pace with our AI revolution? Sohrab Haghighat, aerospace engineer turned entrepreneur, is tackling this exact problem with his startup Hestus, bringing genuine intelligence to CAD systems that have remained fundamentally unchanged for decades.

The frustration will sound familiar to anyone who's designed hardware: you have a brilliant concept, but getting it from your mind into reality means endless hours wrestling with test equipment design, manufacturing constraints, and assembly relationships. As Roopinder explains, "The computer-aided part wasn't in Computer-Aided Design." Hestus aims to change that by creating AI that thinks like an experienced engineer, anticipating your needs and automating the tedious aspects of design work.

What makes Hestas' approach unique is their focus on practical, manufacturable solutions rather than the flashy but impractical "blobby shapes" often produced by generative design. Zorab points out that many current AI design tools create structures that look impressive but prove impossible or prohibitively expensive to manufacture. His team is building AI that understands manufacturing methods, tolerancing, and assembly requirements—essentially putting a manufacturing engineer in the box with you.

The potential impact is enormous. Hardware development cycles that typically stretch over years could be compressed to months, allowing engineers to focus on creativity and innovation rather than documentation and constraint management. For companies trying to bring products to market faster and more efficiently, this represents a genuine competitive advantage.

Beyond his professional life, Zorab plays soccer with his seven-year-old son and does ballroom dancing with his wife, a chemist who became his co-founder in a previous rocket company venture. 

Ready to see how AI should be used to transform your design workflow? Listen now to explore the future of engineering tools and discover how smart sketching is just the beginning of a complete revolution in using AI in CAD. 

]]> Ever wondered why design software hasn't kept pace with our AI revolution? Sohrab Haghighat, aerospace engineer turned entrepreneur, is tackling this exact problem with his startup Hestus, bringing genuine intelligence to CAD systems that have remained fundamentally unchanged for decades.

The frustration will sound familiar to anyone who's designed hardware: you have a brilliant concept, but getting it from your mind into reality means endless hours wrestling with test equipment design, manufacturing constraints, and assembly relationships. As Roopinder explains, "The computer-aided part wasn't in Computer-Aided Design." Hestus aims to change that by creating AI that thinks like an experienced engineer, anticipating your needs and automating the tedious aspects of design work.

What makes Hestas' approach unique is their focus on practical, manufacturable solutions rather than the flashy but impractical "blobby shapes" often produced by generative design. Zorab points out that many current AI design tools create structures that look impressive but prove impossible or prohibitively expensive to manufacture. His team is building AI that understands manufacturing methods, tolerancing, and assembly requirements—essentially putting a manufacturing engineer in the box with you.

The potential impact is enormous. Hardware development cycles that typically stretch over years could be compressed to months, allowing engineers to focus on creativity and innovation rather than documentation and constraint management. For companies trying to bring products to market faster and more efficiently, this represents a genuine competitive advantage.

Beyond his professional life, Zorab plays soccer with his seven-year-old son and does ballroom dancing with his wife, a chemist who became his co-founder in a previous rocket company venture. 

Ready to see how AI should be used to transform your design workflow? Listen now to explore the future of engineering tools and discover how smart sketching is just the beginning of a complete revolution in using AI in CAD. 

]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-17234692 Tue, 27 May 2025 14:00:00 -0400 2329 1 5 full false S1 Ep 4: Allan Behrens, Industry Consultant and Biltong Maker S1 Ep 4: Allan Behrens, Industry Consultant and Biltong Maker Roopinder Buzzsprout-17044793 Fri, 25 Apr 2025 16:00:00 -0400 2356 full false S1 Ep 3: Oleg Shilovitsky, Master of PLM S1 Ep 3: Oleg Shilovitsky, Master of PLM Roopinder Buzzsprout-16955868 Thu, 10 Apr 2025 20:00:00 -0400 2422 full false S 1 Ep 2: Harshil Goel's Soul Hurts. Find Out Why. S 1 Ep 2: Harshil Goel's Soul Hurts. Find Out Why. Buzzsprout-16461356 Thu, 10 Apr 2025 19:00:00 -0400 2092 1 2 full false S1 Ep1: How Does an Engineer Get Into Movies? We Ask John Schlag. S1 Ep1: How Does an Engineer Get Into Movies? We Ask John Schlag. Roopinder interviews friend John Schlag and explores John's journey from engineering to filmmaking. Initially trained as an engineer, John transitioned into computer graphics and special effects, working on iconic films like Terminator 2 and Jurassic Park. He later joined Google, contributing to Google Photos and Google Earth before leaving to pursue independent creative work.

John's passion for creativity extends beyond software, as he and his wife, Jennifer, now collaborate on short films. Their award-winning film, M.T. Nestor, delves into AI and creativity, reflecting John's ongoing interest in technology’s role in storytelling. Living on a floating home in Sausalito, he enjoys an unconventional (for an engineer) lifestyle, balancing filmmaking, travel and writing, even writing code occasionally.

The discussion highlights John's diverse interests, from his early music career to his thoughts on AI in the arts. His journey showcases a seamless blend of technical expertise and artistic exploration, emphasizing the intersection of engineering and creativity.

]]> Roopinder interviews friend John Schlag and explores John's journey from engineering to filmmaking. Initially trained as an engineer, John transitioned into computer graphics and special effects, working on iconic films like Terminator 2 and Jurassic Park. He later joined Google, contributing to Google Photos and Google Earth before leaving to pursue independent creative work.

John's passion for creativity extends beyond software, as he and his wife, Jennifer, now collaborate on short films. Their award-winning film, M.T. Nestor, delves into AI and creativity, reflecting John's ongoing interest in technology’s role in storytelling. Living on a floating home in Sausalito, he enjoys an unconventional (for an engineer) lifestyle, balancing filmmaking, travel and writing, even writing code occasionally.

The discussion highlights John's diverse interests, from his early music career to his thoughts on AI in the arts. His journey showcases a seamless blend of technical expertise and artistic exploration, emphasizing the intersection of engineering and creativity.

]]> Roopinder Buzzsprout-16675394 Sat, 22 Feb 2025 23:00:00 -0500 2616 full false