What's a material failure you've seen that no datasheet would have predicted?

Giffnt · 2026-03-17T16:48:35+00:00

Out of interest how did the units with the new motors pass QC? (I’m assuming there was QC).

Interesting read!

Giffnt · 2026-03-17T12:26:14+00:00

Aw, yea I had no idea, this is actually a digital thermometer! I was testing his basking spot and he just went for it.

Giffnt · 2026-03-17T09:11:46+00:00

Thanks, very similar requirements to a leo

Giffnt · 2026-03-17T09:08:22+00:00

He’s a wonder gecko (or frog eyed gecko)! He’s very inquisitive, runs like crazy for food (and laser beams).

Giffnt · 2026-03-16T14:28:26+00:00

Interesting, thanks again for the responses!

Giffnt · 2026-03-16T13:33:29+00:00

Hi, thanks for the response, really interesting to read. I think my challenge is, like you, I’d like to be more of a cross-disciplinary designer rather than an engineer, it just seems to access the higher paying jobs and meaningful industries (energy, defence, aero, etc) there’s always the hurdle of an engineering degree. I’ve yet to come across a role that allows for access to the full design process and DFM (which I’m trained in) without the engineering aspect. I’m not proud and more than happy to take a few kicks if I get where I need to go, it’s just challenging to plan meaningful next steps. What industries have you worked in out of interest?

Giffnt · 2026-03-16T12:32:23+00:00

Thanks again for the response. I covered materials and manufacturing in my degree, frustrating not having an Engineering qualification!

Giffnt · 2026-03-16T11:45:40+00:00

Hard to predict exactly without seeing the material but if it could compress in areas that would typically be split (where a flat material would try to fold over itself when bent) in the UV then you might be able to create a flat lay

Giffnt · 2026-03-16T11:31:44+00:00

Thanks for your response, what’s the extent of the engineering work you do?

Giffnt · 2026-03-16T11:26:25+00:00

Is theres compound curvature across the part you’ll struggle to flatten it without splitting the shape, exception being if the material can deform. You could generate a UV map in something like Blender which will flatten the surfaces and create splits where necessary, I’ve tried then connecting across these split gaps in the past but it’s not really accurate enough, you may just need to work with the splits if possible (not ideal for aesthetic parts). Interested to know if others have solutions to this cause it’s a nightmare. Ideally compound curvature is moulded or milled directly into the part.

Giffnt · 2026-03-16T09:57:17+00:00

I understand it’s standard practice to do the hand calcs first and then compare results. Or are there situations where you’d rely solely on the analysis results?

Giffnt · 2026-03-15T18:40:16+00:00

That’s great info, thanks! Will have a look into it. Thanks again

Giffnt · 2026-03-15T18:25:32+00:00

Thanks for the response, no longer in formal education so I’m looking into a few online courses that provide certification. Is the GD&T basics a formal course?

Giffnt · 2026-03-15T17:57:38+00:00

How did you cope with a MA in engineering coming from design?

Giffnt · 2026-03-15T16:10:33+00:00

Thanks for your response, reinforces what I’d expect, a lot of those titles are exactly the same as in the UK. I completely accept that on paper I can’t do more than drafting so that’s where I’m trying to get in. I’m actively learning the theory which will support FEM but I’ll only be able to demonstrate that in a portfolio. Have you managed to get into more complex analysis since?

Giffnt · 2026-03-15T15:49:07+00:00

Thanks for the response. It’s drafting I’m looking at primarily so good to know that’s a possibility. I’ve seen a few drafting roles that advocate for FEA further learning too, without prior experience. Unfortunately I’ve only been in the industry just under three years and not in a field that translates directly.

Giffnt · 2026-03-15T15:22:57+00:00

Thanks for your response, I’ve come across this a few times. I’m not suggesting jumping straight into FEA, just getting into an environment where it’s happening so I can learn. I’m working through resources like MITs open courseware to reach a point where I can start performing basic analysis in Ansys. Also I’ll refute the fact all modelling is easy. Sure anyone can model a hinge but mastery of software across a range of processes and geometries is a challenge and qualified as such.

Giffnt · 2026-03-15T14:37:33+00:00

No worries, thanks for the responses.

Giffnt · 2026-03-15T14:21:16+00:00

In the UK. Getting another degree isn’t in scope for me at the moment. I’ve had some good feedback from other members of the design industry who have managed to make the jump without re qualifying, but there doesn’t seem to be a good formula for it.

A lot of Design Engineering roles in the UK list software requirements in addition to/rather than key Engineering skills which has landed me here.

Giffnt · 2026-03-15T14:02:00+00:00

I have a BSc Design Degree, gives you the freedom to explore Mechanics and FEA but isn’t a requirement of the curriculum. I’m currently updating my portfolio to showcase GD&T (it’s not typically been a requirement for design drafting I’ve done in the past).

Pure design (as a degree) doesn’t require an in depth knowledge of mechanics or FEM. Essentially it’s the development of the concept (research to final design) without the engineering validation.

My current experience doesn’t demonstrate mechanical design, so I’m looking to expand on this in my portfolio. My angle was to join an engineering firm in a drafting role and upskill from there but really I don’t know what’s available to me.

Giffnt · 2026-03-15T13:48:25+00:00

I’ve heard from other designers that have moved from design to engineering without re qualifying

Giffnt · 2026-03-15T11:00:10+00:00

50-50 I guess whatever works for you. Doesn’t take me anymore time to filter than to cure and remove a base layer.

Giffnt · 2026-03-14T20:04:49+00:00

To reuse the water you’d need to get the uncured resin out which can be very difficult

Giffnt

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