When choosing the first ever engineer to interview for our first ever Engineer Spotlight feature, we simply had to take a look at GrabCAD most popular drawings and the decision came easy. Scott Bruins, a young engineer and a graduate of Northwest Technical Institute has been sharing some great work, his Portal Turret and Brain Gear have been such hits that we decided to hear more about the young talent.
GC: What was your first job as an engineer?
Scott: I've been in the industry for 4 years. I started my first job as an intern at Toro as a drafter. I worked part time while going to school at NTI, and overall it was a great experience for me.
GC: Do you remember the first software you used for drawing? How long time ago was it?
Scott: The first software I used was Pro/DESKTOP in a high school drafting class in 2006. I took the class on a whim and found I loved 3D design.
A sample screenshot of Scott's desktop
GC: You've done some nice work for PC's as we can see on GrabCAD, is everything computer related your hobby or part of your work?
Scott: I am a big computer nerd and I love building PCs as a hobby. I like taking something that normally just sits under a desk and making it into something that grabs peoples attention.
GC: Can you share some details about your most complicated project you've had to work on so far? (E.g. what was it, how much time it took etc)
Scott: The most complicated project I have worked on so far is a custom PC case I am currently working on. I normally use the SolidWorks model as a visual reference of what I want the case to look like when I am finished. This case however will have a lot of mechanical components and a lot of detail. Ive been working on it in my spare time for about a month now and I still have a long ways to go before it will be finished. Ill be sure to share it on GrabCAD when I'm done!
(GC comment: if you are reading this and feeling like helping Scott out, let us hear your voice! Leave a comment here if you have the same interests and are working on any PC related stuff!)
GC: Looking at all things ever engineered - what kind of everyday utensil or gadget is currently so painful to use that you would completely redesign it in a heartbeat?
Scott: Bathroom hand blow dryer
GC: On the other hand, what do you consider the most amazing invention ever engineered? (Anything from telescopes to portable chairs?)
Scott: I was at the IMTS tool show in Chicago this weekend and saw a 3D printer capable of printing titanium, aluminum or stainless steel parts. I want one!
GC: Who do you look up to? Favourite engineering team or designer? Anything from BMW to iPhone sketchers...
Scott: Thats a tough one. There are so many engineering teams that turn out fantastic work. Recently Ive been drooling over the Audi E-Tron concept car so Id have to give Audi the nod for favorite engineering team.
GC: Any hobby projects that you work on your free time and where you would like to find people with similar interests? Everything PC? Anything else?
Scott: Besides PCs, I am also a big car nut. I love anything that makes a lot of noise and goes fast! I drive an '02 Subaru WRX that I am planning on making a little louder and a little faster.
Scott's workspace at home
GC: And to finish off - what programs do you have open on your desktop right now?
Scott:
- Outlook
- Google Chrome
- SolidWorks 2010
- Zune
For more drawings that Scott has invented and uploaded, take a look here.
Huge thanks to Scott for being the first under the spotlight! Now, got anything more to ask from him? We all are looking forward to any questions, so leave them in the comments below!
