Terry Persun Editor-in-Chief

Risk

Every day we risk something (usually our lives while driving to work). But in the field of design engineering, risk is the fuel of invention at many companies. With high risk comes high expectations and the necessity for innovation and creativity.

We are all very aware of the speed at which technology is moving these days. This is most apparent with the electronics industry, primarily because it's a consumer-driven market. This is the market that allows designers to pack more components into a small electronic device. This is the market that allows designers to use tougher materials so they can reduce wall thickness while maintaining durability and strength. It is the manufacturer of equipment for production, packaging, and assembly, though who must be kept ahead of the game.

Every new design takes a certain amount of risk. Even if the next generation of an old design is manufactured, there is no guarantee it will be bought and used in the industry for which it was designed. Further, new designs, those creative leaps into the unknown, require the willingness for even a higher risk.

Risk is what keeps this industry interesting. I heard from a reader recently who was excited about a project his company had just completed and was eager to give me the details for an upcoming article. I could hear the excitement in his voice as he said he wanted Designfax to have the story first. Adrenaline was flowing. As I listened to him, I recognized words and phrases I've heard over and over again while working with engineers. "We went into the meeting with a proposal to design a machine we didn't know was possible." Did you get that? I know engineers who consistently go into a design meeting with specification demands that have never been reached before. If that doesn't get you excited about your job, what does?

I am continually amazed at the quality of the people in this industry, at their commitment and their creativity. That is what every organization can have if only they will allow their people to function as the motivated and creative people they are. Here at Designfax we feel the same way. We work for a company that promotes our creative approach to this business. In order for us to write and edit for such a core group of motivated designers, we must change and adjust to those needs.

We must provide you with the material you want to read, the material that helps you in your work. But most of all, we've got to push the limits a little. This month, we've got a treat for you. Mark Tilden designs robots in a way that has never been approached before. He's become a controversial figure in the design world. Designfax recommends that you look this material over. Then tell us what you think about it. We provide the basics and then give you a list of URLs to help further your inquiry. We do this because it's fun for us. I know you'll have fun too.

tpersun@designfax.net