The next GrabCAD engineer in the spotlight is Chanson Yang, another young talent from the US with a background in product and materials engineering. Many of you have noticed this guy - he is the one uploading the engine parts and was happy to answer GrabCAD's questions this time.
GC: Tell us about your engineering background? What did you study and what was your major?
Chanson: I obtained my degree in Biomedical Engineering, which confuses a lot of people. Basically I'm an Industrial Designer with less art and more mechanics, or yet another way to say it is I am a mechanical engineer who knows how to deal with the FDA. Initially I had a pre-med focus and took all the prerequisites, but later tailored my major to focus more on the engineering aspects such as verification testing, design history files, etc. I also signed up for a materials minor the year it was introduced at my school and find that to be one of the most interesting aspects of product design.
GC: With which software did you start your engineering career? What is your favorite now and why?
Chanson: Well I actually started with Inventor my junior year of high school and spent a few months on that. I switched to AutoCAD my senior year, but didn't really fall in love with it. Once I began my college education, SolidWorks became the standard. I introduced some mechanical engineers to it and was surprised to find they instantly preferred it even after being trained with NX5, so I think I'll be sticking with it. I liked Inventor, but SolidWorks seemed similar enough, has the lion's share of the market, plus they've hinted at some big things in the future. I've used MatLab, but for me that is a program that requires constant practice. I am also experimenting with Blender and would like to know if anyone else uses that. (GC: Blender users reading this, hands up!)
V10 block, part of an engine
GC: Could you share some details of the most exciting or complicated project that you've had to work on? What was it? What were the main challenges?
Chanson: I'd like to give Include Fitness a free plug here, that is a project I am proud to have contributed to. That project is what motivated me to start an adventure into entrepreneurship, which has been both the most complicated and exciting experience for me. I created a product - at least the idea of one - and planned the steps that I would take to bring that product to market, how I would form and run a company, analyzing markets and intellectual property, the whole shebang. The reason it was so exciting was because my elevator speech or hookline was "Imagine that you are walking in the Arctic Circle wearing just a long sleeve t-shirt. Now imagine being hot while doing that. If you were wearing ZeroK, you wouldn't be imagining it." I laughed when I wrote that in my business plan, but that is essentially what you could expect from my product, and I could build it today, it's not a dream or even a prohibitively expensive proposition. The only problem is I don't have the equipment, and the people who do are focused on things like insulating deep sea oil pipes. (GC: Chanson has not given up on this idea coming true. Any VC's or investors reading this, take note and get in touch with him)
GC: You've uploaded many engine parts in the Library. Could you enlighten us what exactly are we seeing and what's the story behind being interested in engines? How many other engine parts can we expect in the future?
Chanson: Haha, I've noticed that Engine is one of the more prominent tags, I probably have a hand in that. I have always been interested in why a monster 8L Viper V10 produces less power than a 4.3L Ferrari V8, and so I have done a lot of research into those kinds of matters. I started reading like it was going out of style and became obsessed with the science of fast. I also bought my first motorcycle at 21; that will get your gears turning. When I see MotoGP race results or F1 debriefs, I am more interested in how the machines are different, not the drivers.
Cylinder head assembly
GC: If you were given a chance to be creative and redesign any everyday utensil or gadget - what would you choose and why?
Chanson: It's hard to name just one item but I would probably go with wheelchair. The work I did with Include Fitness was for disabled individuals, and wheelchairs all operate in an identical matter--push and go. This leads to muscles imbalances and virtually everyone who uses a wheelchair will develop joint pain. I feel there is a pretty obvious way to solve this problem and I would like to know that the work I did went on to improve someone else's life. My cousin was recently paralyzed in a skiing accident, so it really hit home after that.
GC: Who are your engineering heroes? Any favourite company that excels at everything they invent? Any specific team or product engineer?
Chanson: I like Erik Buell. Even though I don't admire the bikes and plenty of the features are questionable, I admire his ability to go against convention and realize that just because everyone else is doing it one way, doesn't mean it's the right way. He will pursue a novel idea in the face of ridicule and criticism if it shows promise. After reading a few interviews, I would say he is someone I really relate to. I also like the folks at Under Armour, I met them at an interview and their passion for innovation is really strong. I don't think it's a big seller for them, but Armour Bites is a really original idea. Finally, Porsche is an amazing company. Their sports cars are so unique, they have a pedigreed racing history, they can make SUVs and sedans as successfully as sports coupes, and they are even financially brilliant. Their near-takeover of a juggernaut marquee like Volkswagen was ridiculous; unfortunately, the world economy stepped in.
GC: If not working, do you spend time on any hobby projects? Engines seem to be big, but any other areas you're into?
Chanson: My projects usually consist of personalizing my possessions; I like to paint my helmets to reflect my style, and I enjoy refinishing wooden objects. Hobbies definitely. As I've made pretty clear, I am into motorsports and firearms, but I am also gym rat. (GC: Chanson's description of outdoor and wildlife in Arizona is something worth experiencing, too).
GC: To finish it off, what programmes do you have open right now on your desktop?
Chanson: I'm on the MacBook Air right now whose sole purpose is web browsing, so just Safari and iTunes at the moment.
Again, thanks to Chanson for answering the questions. Will be exciting to see when we can have the first full engine assembled form the drawings by him :)
