Merry Christmas from all of us at Montie Design!  I hope you have a joyous Christmas and enjoy the holiday season.

Innovation vs. Invention – Case In Point

“Innovation” is an often misused term.  Simply put, innovation is where you combine existing intellectual property (or know how) in a new and creative way.  Invention is where you create new intellectual property.

There is an awesome video of a new product that has achieved viral status on YouTube.  You can watch the video here.  This device (called a Fly Board) allows the user to fly like Iron Man for a few feet into the air.

Water is pumped from an impeller (same as impeller on a Jet Ski) through a hose and then ejected from four nozzles to propel the user through the air.

Is this an example of invention or innovation?  There are many examples of using nozzles to eject water in a high velocity stream (think fire hose).  Water is often piped through flexible hoses (think fire hose again).  This product is an example of innovation because existing technologies from fire hoses were combined with using a personal watercraft as a remote power source.  This is a great example of cross pollination because technologies from different industries were innovatively combined to create a new product.  On a personal note, I want to try this new product.  But, I’m pretty sure I won’t be thinking about product development terminology as I’m flying through the air.

Want to talk product development or need help with a project?  Don’t hesitate to contact me at 919-481-1845 x107 or montie@montie.com.

Merry Christmas,
Montie

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Paul Tome with EPEC Technologies  joined us for a lunch and learn event on Tuesday, Nov 15th.  He lead a discussion called the “Secrets of Flex Circuit Design”.  Paul has 15 years of experience designing flex circuits.  Paul is the Flex Circuit Product Manager for Epec Engineered Technologies (www.epectec.com).

IDSA Southern Regional Portfolio Review at VT

Last weekend was a lot of fun.  The industrial design students in our region have an amazing amount of energy and talent.  It was an honor to serve as a professional reviewer at the event.

PCB Carolina Show in Raleigh

The PCB Carolina show was held on Tuesday at the Raleigh Convention Center.  The convention center is an awesome venue for this type of event.  Shows like this are a great way to meet new clients and catch up with existing clients and friends.  You may be wondering why a mechanical design firm would exhibit at a show focused on PCB design and manufacturing.  All those printed circuit boards have to end up in some sort of enclosure (hint – think Montie Design).

DEFNET Event in Raleigh

Last night the folks at Wake County Economic Development put on the 3rd DEFNET event.  These events are designed to enable networking between the local companies that do work in the defense market space.  This event included a short speech by David Price.  Sign up for the event announcements by emailing Wayne Watkins.

Congressman Price speaking at the Wake County Economic Development DEFNET Event.

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"Y" fork Version

Gloveshot Version

"Y" fork frame as it comes off the waterjet

Rob, our machinist, putting the finishing touches on the gloveshot cross member

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Mason Assembling the New Conference Table that He Designed

 

Bottom Section Assembled, Upper Truss is Next

Closeup of the Joinery

Table is Made of Aluminum Plates for a High Tech Look

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Cutting the Y-shaped Slingshot Body on the Water Jet at ADR Hydrocut

Nick and Al Ely (ADR Hydrocut) Looking at the Slingshot Body

Y-shaped Slingshot Body Just Off the Water Jet at ADR Hydrocut

Rob (Montie Design Machinist) Prototyping a Montie Gear Slingshot

Test Fitting the Collapsible Montie Gear Slingshot Parts

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Al Ely (ADR Hydrocut) and Mike Binion (Ronin Metal Masters) Installing the Hand Folded Bracket

After some hardwork and a bunch of those really cool brackets we ended up with a picnic shelter.   The purpose of the picnic shelter is to use the challenging weather conditions at Troublesome Gap to test just how robust the Ronin Metal Masters design really is.

Completed Shelter at Troublesome Gap

We also had the opportunity to test an assault rifle accessory that we are working on.  Seems like we also consume a lot of ammo on trips to Troublesome Gap.

Looking for How People Misuse Your Product

Some of the best product enhancements come from how users put make use of your products in creative ways.  This picture is a good example.

Montie Gear Tree Hook Strap Used Creatively to Keep a Diet Pepsi Bottle Out of the Dirt

I also noticed how the cutting board grip (handle) didn’t fit into the Montie Gear Camp Rack slot, so a short length of 550 cord fixed that problem.  Similar situation for the black plastic ladel.  Future products and products enhancement goodness in this picture for sure.  By the third evening, Al had decided that the loft in the structure would be a great place to sleep, so after using enough clamps he gave it a try.  Thankfully he remembered that the first step off the cot is a big one.  I think that Mike was already rethinking some of his structure design when he saw Al’s creative use.

Al Ely Putting the Structure Above the Picnic Table to a Creative Use

I will admit it was hard to come back to Raleigh after 4 wonderful days on Troublesome Gap.  Here are some pictures of why it is so hard to come back.

1860s Cabin Near Troublesome Gap

View from hill above Troublesome Gap

Our Swedish Intern enjoying the benefits of the Second Amendment. Something he doesn't get to do in Sweden!

We had a steady stream of visitors. Great folks pass through Troublesome Gap!

Now the only question is “Are you Troublesome Gap Tough?“  Come with us next time and find out!

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Putting the Camp Rack and Tree Hook to use

Camp Rack in use

Tree Hook in Use

Got Story?

View from Inside the Cave

Brook Having Fun

Meeting the Donkeys

Montie Gear Display at Grits Restaurant in Spring Creek, NC

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Check out the picture from the trade show taken earlier today.

Learn more about defense contracting on the Military Contracting page on Montie.com. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates.

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http://www.fvedc.com/assets/files/PDFs/SPHERE%20Flyer.pdf

If you have any questions please contact James Sauls at jsauls@fuquay-varina.org.

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“Even the five runners-up had outstanding ideas,” Montie Roland, company president, said. According to Roland, Montie Design enjoys a strong relationship with many premier design schools as well as industry groups for students, such as the Industrial Designers Society of America.

“We’re going to have all the student designs on display at our March 25 Final Friday event, in addition to having some of the contestants on-hand to talk about their experience and professional goals,” he added.

Montie Design’s Final Friday events allow the firm to provide its insights and experience to help the industrial and mechanical engineering and product design communities achieve excellence. They are fun, informal quarterly networking opportunities for product design and manufacturing professionals to mingle in a relaxed atmosphere after work. Attendees at previous Final Fridays have come from small, medium, and large firms from multiple industries, representing the diversity of skills and experience Montie Design applies to each individual project from concept to prototype to market.

There is no cost to attend Final Friday; music, food, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available from 4-6:30 p.m. To RSVP or to get more information, email Jeff Smith at jeff@montie.com.

About Montie Design
Montie Design is a collaborative product design and development firm with core competencies in industrial design, mechanical design and fuzzy front end services. Implementing a client-centric approach in taking products from concept to marketplace, Montie Design balances vision with usability in realizing products that are economical to manufacture, elegant and robust. The firm operates out of the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina with access to industry-leading technology, resources and innovative thought. For more information, visit www.montie.com.

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About Barry Cox

Barry Cox has over twenty-seven years as a manager, director, and leader in the Department of Defense and Defense Industry to include 18 years providing program management for AF and USG acquisitions and training programs. Barry is currently a Business Manager for Wyle Laboratories conducting business development efforts in Fayetteville, N.C. focusing on expanding Wyle service to DoD and USG agencies in the Carolinas. He previously served as Project Manager for USD/SO-LIC delivering quick turn R&D for Irregular Warfare and counter-terrorism programs. Barry provided operations management, requirements definition and acquisitions management for HQ USAF. Barry served 12 years in the USAF in command, control and communications (C3), battle management (BM), data link operations, electronic warfare, training and counterdrug operations in the joint, combined, and interagency arenas. He has worked for small businesses serving DoD needs and has worked with small businesses to develop and pursue opportunities in DoD and the USG.

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Prizes of Up to $500, Commission on Product Sales to Be Awarded

(Morrisville, N.C.) Collaborative product design and development firm Montie Design is hosting a student design contest for Winter 2011 with prizes of up to $500 and a two-year commission on any products that go to market within two years of design submission.

Participants are being tasked with designing a new product for the Montie Gear line of outdoor shooting, hunting, and archery products which grew out of the success the firm has enjoyed with its X-Rest line of portable firearms rests.

“We’ve found there is an incredible amount of interest in sturdy, lightweight portable gear for hunters and other folks who enjoy camping, backpacking, hiking, and outdoor shooting sports,” Montie Roland, president of Montie Design, said.

The X-Rest originated as a hands-on, intensive review of product design and manufacturing for Montie Design staff, Roland said, but soon took on a life of its own once the original version was made available for sale.

“Once we marketed the product outside of the product design world, in the firearms and outdoors industry, that’s when things started to roll,” he said.

The design contest is generating buzz and support in academic institutions throughout North Carolina. According to Donald Corey, Assistant Professor of Industrial Design at Appalachian State University, anytime a student can develop a product for a “real world” application, their educational experience is heightened.

“The fact that the winning product might go into production multiplies their intensity for making the project feasible and successful,” he said, adding, “For the winners the benefit is immediately evident in their resumes and portfolios.”

Prof. Corey went on to explain that in this job market anything a student can do to increase their visibility to a potential employer is helpful. “Winning this contest, and having the piece produced and available for sale will really impress these potential employers, making often difficult hiring decisions easier,” he said.

Montie Design enjoys a strong relationship with the NCSU College of Design as well as industry groups for students, such as the Industrial Designers Society of America. The firm regularly hosts interns who engage in differing hands-on activities from concept to design to prototyping, manufacturing and marketing.

Laura Taylor, president of the NC State Student Chapter of IDSA, worked with Montie Design to conceptualize the design contest. Taylor, a senior from Charlotte, said the contest will help energize the IDSA membership and provide sought-after challenges for participants.

“This is a great opportunity to learn what real design looks like, stretching beyond the concepts we are familiar with in the studio,” she said.

According to Taylor, the contest gives design students the chance to see what it takes to be a real designer. “It moves past pleasing professors and focuses more on addressing the needs of the real market and pleasing the client,” she said.

The design contest is open to current college students from across the United States beginning December 1, 2010. January 18, 2011 is the deadline for submitting a description of basic product concept; the final design proposal is due on February 17, 2011 at 5:00PM EST. Submission information and other contest specifications are available on the Montie Design website, www.montie.com.

Download the Contest Flyer

About Montie Design
Montie Design is a collaborative product design and development firm with core competencies in industrial design, mechanical design and fuzzy front end services. Implementing a client-centric approach in taking products from concept to marketplace, Montie Design balances vision with usability in realizing products that are economical to manufacture, elegant and robust. The firm operates out of the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina with access to industry-leading technology, resources and innovative thought. For more information, visit www.montie.com.

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Mining Cash From Your Manufacturing Operations

Thursday, October 21, 2010
11:30am – 1:30pm
100 Dominion Drive, Suite 101
Morrisville, NC 27560

The financial meltdown has made access to capital very difficult to obtain and expensive for many companies.    This event will explain what steps manufacturing businesses can take to take advantage of substantial amounts of stored cash in most, if not all enterprises, not only within their four walls but within their supply-chains as well.  The good news is that these tools can be quickly deployed to free up cash now.

What will be covered:
The impact of the “Great Recession” had on the Manufacturing Sector
The difference between “push” and “pull” supply chains
How can modern supply chain methodologies impact the bottom line
Critical KPIs (Key Performance Indices) to track to make bottom line improvements.

SPEAKER BIO:

Stephen Parker is CEO of KPISolutions. His career spans over twenty-five years, with experience in manufacturing, international commerce, executive management, corporate growth strategies, sales, technology development, and corporate financing.

He is renowned as a capital efficient restructuring expert. He holds patents in lean enabling technologies and has worked with a number of large corporations implementing world class efficiency improvement programs including NTT, Bharti, AT&T, Singapore Tel, MCI, BT, Hong Kong Tel, IBM, Telstra, Verizon, Bell Canada, Time Warner Telecom, China Unicom, Toyota, Danaher, Saudi Telephone, New Zealand Tel, Helsinki Telephone, GTE, and the Russian Ministry of to name a few. With an under graduate focus in Technology Management, Stephen has completed executive MBA studies at the University of Virginia–Darden School and the Harvard School of Business.  He has been a frequent guest speaker at numerous global conferences on technology, market management and “The Impact of the Financial Market Meltdown”.

YOUR HOSTS:
Montie Design is a collaborative product design and development firm with core competencies in industrial design, mechanical engineering and product commercialization.  The firm has been successful in helping many manufacturing companies develop innovative new product lines and profit centers.

Business Capital Finance provides manufacturing companies with financial solutions including expansion capital, working capital, debt reduction and restructuring.

Register at http://manufacturingprofits.eventbrite.com/
Contact Susan Hasty with Business Capital Finance @ 919.749.5910
Admission: $20

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Our 2010 catalog is now available for download at:

http://www.montie.com/uploads/X-Rest/2010_Catalog_master_REV00.pdf

You can also visit our website at:

http://www.montie.com/modules/info/shooting_rest.html

Sign up for our email list at:

http://www.montie.com/modules/info/shooters_email_list.html

Have a great weekend.

Montie

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Our address is now:

100 Dominion Dr., Suite 101
Morrisville, NC 2760

Stop in for a quick tour!

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