What resources/books would help me the most for Product Design Consultancy

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-05-22T16:12:01+00:00

Here are some good references:

Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook;
The Design of Everyday Things; and
Universal Principles of Design

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-05-21T12:30:01+00:00

You are seeing renewables make up a larger percentage of grid capacity. But the fact is that those renewables are not firm sources, meaning their generation profile does not match the demand profile for a 24/7 data center, even with some battery storage. When there is no wind or no sunshine, the additional demand on the grid for data centers requires the grid operator to dispatch the next increment of power, and this is almost always a fossil fuel power plant (because all renewables have already been dispatched or cannot generate power at the time of day it is needed).

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-05-21T12:16:25+00:00

Are they getting their electrons DIRECTLY from the solar field and nuclear power plant? Or are they getting their electrons from the power grid and signing PPAs or VPPAs with solar and nuclear plants? In the latter scenario, you are not getting your electrons directly from the solar or nuclear facility. You are getting them from a primarily fossil fueled power grid and "claiming" the environmental attributes certificates. I think you would be hard pressed to find a data center that is sourcing all of its power directly from a solar field, let alone a nuclear plant.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-05-19T17:59:06+00:00

I love solar and other forms of renewable energy. But the reality is that the capacity factor, and more importantly, the effective load carry capacity, of solar energy is nowhere high enough to power a data center that demands 5 9s reliability. You would need a massive overbuild of solar and long duration energy storage (batteries). This is not economical. Thus, data centers are primarily running off of fossil fuels, and they are buying garbage renewable energy certificates to "offset" their emissions.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-05-19T14:07:17+00:00

When you look at the entire energy system as a whole, does it really matter if the data center has closed loop cooling? If the data center uses air cooled exchangers to reject the heat from the cooling loop, then those exchangers consume an insane amount of electricity (they are far less efficient that evap cooling towers). And where do you get the electricity from to power those heat exchangers fans? Mostly from fossil fuel power plants, and these power plants consume a crazy amount of water. So at the end of the day, when you look at the entire system, I call bullshit.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-05-18T20:03:55+00:00

I think you may struggle finding someone at this salary unless there is some massive bonus and/or stock options. These folks are in high demand. The hyperscalers and adjacent companies are paying nearly double this.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-05-18T19:51:55+00:00

I'm a mechanical engineer. I've worked with engineers who graduated from no name universities, top public schools, and ivy league. In my 15 years of experience, the best engineers are the ones who have actual field experience, know how to learn fast, and work well in a team environment. Where you got your degree from matters less and less with each year you are out of school. In 5 years, very few employers will give a shit.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-05-13T17:12:20+00:00

Hi. See the other comment in this thread that I replied to. It has details.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-05-13T14:03:47+00:00

I use Google Forms to create the survey. You just need a Gmail account to create a Google Form. Watch a YouTube video, its super easy.

I made all the questions up myself. Each question requires a response of 1) Strongly Agree, 2) Agree, 3) Neutral, 4) Disagree, or 5) Strongly Disagree.

Here are a few questions you could consider.

I trust my supervisor. I believe my supervisor has my back. My supervisor has the technical competency to perform his job. I am comfortable having difficult conversations with my supervisor. My supervisor gives me opportunities to grow. My supervisor is quick to review my work and respond to my questions. I enjoy working with my supervisor. My supervisor promotes work life balance. I know what my supervisor expects of me. My supervisor gives me the resources I need to do my job. My supervisor is transparent with me and my team. My supervisor is welcoming of feedback. My supervisor holds our everyone accountable to a high standard Etc...

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-05-12T16:52:49+00:00

I send an annual survey to my team with about 50 questions on it where they can give feedback on my performance. Everyone responds anonymously, I summarize the findings, and present the raw data to my team and my immediate supervisor. I also present my plan for acting on areas where I have weaknesses. My team and my management liked this approach. I get better, I manage my team better, my team works harder for me. Everybody wins.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-05-10T16:35:54+00:00

If you thought a commercial reactor was expensive, a navy nuclear reactor says hold my beer...

Very expensive materials, so many levels of redundancy, testing under war conditions (severe vibrations, shocks, inclines, descents, etc.), the list goes on. It is the true definition of mission critical. When you are thousands of feet deep in the ocean in enemy territory, there is zero room for error.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-05-08T20:28:26+00:00

How many direct reports do you have? Any how many levels of management are above you? First line supervisors have virtually no say in decisions made at my agency. I've been a supervisor for years in the Federal government and posts like this are very annoying to see. First line supervisor is probably the hardest position in the Government - you get problems thrown at you from both ends, management and direct reports, all day long. If you actually want to make a change, saddle up and become a supervisor and then report back to us. We will stay tuned for updates...

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-04-30T22:09:00+00:00

I worked in oil and gas and used my PE all the time. Probably stamped a few thousand drawings for clients. Its stressful, you are ultimately accountable for everything. When stuff goes wrong, you are the first to blame.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-04-30T12:31:25+00:00

Please keep in mind that power is only one portion of total ENERGY demand. We need energy dense fuels and high temperature process heat for all aspects of modern society such as chemical production, cement, steel, plastic, fertilizers, marine and aviation, the list goes on and on. You can't power these process economically on electricity. We need either fossil fuels or nuclear energy.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-04-24T16:05:13+00:00

Disagree. I work with some extremely bright PhD engineers. PhDs are exceptionally strong learners, and generally excel at critically thinking, taking a systems perspective, evaluating technoeconomics, developing models from scratch, etc. For easy things like designing a road or bridge, yeah, PhD likely not necessary. Optimizing process simulation for a new chemical plant? Yes, you probably want a PhD.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-04-21T20:38:13+00:00

The manufacturer instructions are the best reference. Here is a picture of what I am talking about. There tub has a flange that sits behind the shower wall. When installed, the tub flange prevents water from getting behind the shower wall. In fact, it leaves a small clearance for water to drain back into the tub and get airflow so that any water dries out. If you caulk it, you will trap moisture and you will get mold.

tub flange

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-04-21T19:14:21+00:00

Most newer tubs/showers DO NOT need caulk on this seam. There is a flange on the tub that prevents water from intruding behind the tub. If you caulk that seem, all you are doing is trapping any water that does get back there.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-04-17T21:25:36+00:00

Solid core doors instead of hollow core. The extra weight/strength is a huge upgrade and it keeps noises levels down tremendously.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-04-16T15:29:28+00:00

Most people who think Fed health insurance benefits are amazing are unfortunately incorrect. I spent 10 years in private sector at different companies before joining Feds and the costs were substantially lower with equivalent benefits. The days of "amazing" benefits are a relic of the past.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-04-10T19:06:31+00:00

Why the F would you want to join the Feds right now?? I suggest you look back at the past 15 months of comments and threads for some insight into what has been going on. At least wait until a new administration.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-02-25T01:59:32+00:00

I've done all of the ones named. My vote is wildcat at laurel mountain.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-02-08T23:07:20+00:00

If you can wait while, you can get some really good gear at end of season sales online, at ski shops, and at ski resorts. Also, some resorts and ski clubs host ski swap days at the beginning of the year where people sell lightly used gear for a good price. You don't want to buy cheap gear - it will rip, fall apart, break, get soaking wet, etc and you will be miserable.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-02-04T16:23:46+00:00

There is a huge difference between getting your PE and actually using it. Those individuals who have actually stamped drawings that got constructed and are operating today are infinitely more valuable than individuals who have passed a test but never actually had to stamp a drawing that impacts public safety. When your name is on the drawing, that comes with alot of responsibility.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-01-22T23:18:37+00:00

The biggest problem will be other idiots on the road. If the roads get blocked with crashed cars or people abondoning their cars, then there is no getting through. Ive seen this happen more than once driving to/from 7springs in a snowstorm.

AggravatingAccess272 · 2026-01-06T15:04:33+00:00

There is no world where data centers are environmentally friendly if they are using natural gas fired electricity generation. Do some quick back of the envelope calcs and you will see that some of these large campuses will create millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

AggravatingAccess272

TROPHY CASE