Montie Design Blog » Local Design Community http://blog.montie.com Mechanical Design & Product Development Services Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:29:36 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Luncheon Continues String of Educational Outreach Events to Manufacturing Sector http://blog.montie.com/2011/11/14/luncheon-continues-string-of-educational-outreach-events-to-manufacturing-sector/ http://blog.montie.com/2011/11/14/luncheon-continues-string-of-educational-outreach-events-to-manufacturing-sector/#comments Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:31:31 +0000 dave http://blog.montie.com/?p=526 (Morrisville, N.C.) Montie Design, an innovative concept-to-marketplace product design and development firm, is continuing a string of educational outreach events by hosting a November 15 Lunch and Learn featuring Paul Tome with EPEC Technologies. Tome will be leading a discussion called the “Secrets of Flex Circuit Design” at the Montie Design studios located just off Aviation Parkway in Morrisville. The event is free but requires advance registration online at https://www.eventbrite.com/event/2434228844.

With 15 years of experience design flex circuits, Tome is the Flex Circuit Product Manager for Epec Engineered Technologies (www.epectec.com). Epec is one of North America’s leading PCB and built-to-print product companies and has built one of the industry’s leading global supply chain and engineering platforms.

This Tuesday’s Lunch and Learn continues a series which kicked-off in January with a well-attended event featuring a presentation by Barry Cox of Wyle Labs called “Alphabet Soup: The Acronyms and Steps of Military Contracting.” Cox shared important insights related to the military marketspace.

More recently, Montie Design participated in the North Carolina Defense Business Association (NCDBA) Breakfast with a Prime event as one of the presenting companies and published a free podcast, “Designing Within Aesthetics” which is available by emailing podcast@montie.com.

Earlier in 2011 Montie Design sponsored a student design contest, with participant Nick Pennington submitting a winning slingshot design. The firm liked his design so much that he was invited to serve as a summer intern at Montie Design and commercialize his design, with Pennington managing to successfully complete two versions of his design. The first version is available for sale on the Montie Gear website at www.montiegear.com.

For more information on Montie Design, visit www.montie.com.

About Montie Design
Montie Design is an innovative concept-to-marketplace product design and development firm with core competencies in mechanical engineering and industrial design. Implementing a collaborative approach to partnering with clients, Montie Design balances vision with usability in realizing products that are economical to manufacture, elegant and robust. The firm operates out of the Southeast’s innovation hub, the Research Triangle region of North Carolina, with its wealth of industry-leading technology, resources and customers. For more information, visit www.montie.com.

]]> http://blog.montie.com/2011/11/14/luncheon-continues-string-of-educational-outreach-events-to-manufacturing-sector/feed/ 0 Montie Design’s Summer of Design Comes to An End – Part 2 http://blog.montie.com/2011/10/08/montie-designs-summer-of-design-comes-to-an-end-part-2/ http://blog.montie.com/2011/10/08/montie-designs-summer-of-design-comes-to-an-end-part-2/#comments Sat, 08 Oct 2011 20:14:40 +0000 Montie Roland http://blog.montie.com/?p=516 Earlier in the year we sponsored a student design contest for students in NC and Virginia. Josh Little was the first place winner. Josh is an Industrial Design student at NCSU. It worked out that Josh was able to spend the first part of the summer commercializing his entry, a locking rack for assault rifles. His design allows owners to safetly exhibit their rifles while keeping them secure and out of the hands of unauthorized users.

autolever_450px wide

We don’t have a prototype to show you yet but the document below helps explain where we are headed with the design.

]]> http://blog.montie.com/2011/10/08/montie-designs-summer-of-design-comes-to-an-end-part-2/feed/ 0 Montie Design Participates in Defense Business Event http://blog.montie.com/2011/08/30/montie-design-participates-in-defense-business-event/ http://blog.montie.com/2011/08/30/montie-design-participates-in-defense-business-event/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:39:35 +0000 dave http://blog.montie.com/?p=489 (Morrisville, N.C.) Montie Design, an innovative concept-to-marketplace product design and development firm, recently participated in the North Carolina Defense Business Association (NCDBA) Breakfast with a Prime event August 25th as one of the presenting companies. Held at the Research Triangle Park Archie K. Davis Conference Center, Breakfast with a Prime featured a main presentation by renowned government contracting group IEM and was well-attended by representatives of private businesses, local government and universities.

“It was great to have an NCDBA event in RTP and see such a large turnout. Most of the organization’s events in the Fayetteville area have 30 to 50 percent of the attendees drive to the event from Raleigh,” said Montie Roland, president of Montie Design, adding, “It really goes to show how active the defense industry is in the Research Triangle area.”

The NCDBA is a state association comprised of members from locations such as Greensboro, Wilmington, Cary, Raleigh, Sanford, Fayetteville, Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Durham, and Matthews with interests in military contracting, government affairs, and supporting the state’s military installations.

During his presentation, Roland gave an overview of Montie Design and its core competencies in mechanical engineering, industrial design, prototyping, and product commercialization, and explained why his job is so interesting, giving an example of driving to the rifle range to test a rifle accessory while at the same time scheduling testing of a baby stroller concept that his company built for a client.

Montie Design is active in the NCDBA, from presenting at Breakfast with a Prime events to exhibiting at the organization’s inaugural Symposium and Exposition this past April in Pinehurst.

Roland said his firm has plans to keep the regional networking going, both within the defense business industry as well as in other market sectors, via an upcoming Final Friday event at the Montie Design headquarters in Morrisville. These annual end-of-quarter events draw C-level executives as well as engineers and industrial designers to share best practices and chat with peers over refreshments in a relaxed atmosphere.

The Q3 2011 Final Friday event is scheduled for 4-6:30 p.m. on September 30th at 100 Dominion Drive, Suite 101, just off Aviation Parkway. To register, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1735503939 or email montie@montie.com.

For more information on Montie Design, visit www.montie.com.

About Montie Design
Montie Design is an innovative concept-to-marketplace product design and development firm with core competencies in mechanical engineering and industrial design. Implementing a collaborative approach to partnering with clients, Montie Design balances vision with usability in realizing products that are economical to manufacture, elegant and robust. The firm operates out of the Southeast’s innovation hub, the Research Triangle region of North Carolina, with its wealth of industry-leading technology, resources and customers. For more information, visit www.montie.com.

]]> http://blog.montie.com/2011/08/30/montie-design-participates-in-defense-business-event/feed/ 0 Calling Entrepreneurs – Free Office Space during the Durham Stampede http://blog.montie.com/2011/07/23/calling-entrepreneurs-free-office-space-during-the-durham-stampede/ http://blog.montie.com/2011/07/23/calling-entrepreneurs-free-office-space-during-the-durham-stampede/#comments Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:43:06 +0000 Montie Roland http://blog.montie.com/?p=426 Durham Stampede

Office Space

The Stampede space will host about twelve startups and is in the middle of everything. Parking is free, along with the area’s fastest wi-fi, office furniture, and meeting space. You’re job is to bring a laptop, cell phone, and a good idea. We’ll take care of the rest.

Free Advice

Durham has lots of successful entrepreneurs who are committed to supporting future all-stars. The Bull City also has plenty of service providers who have worked extensively with startups. You’ll have access to all of this during your 60 days.

The Culture

You’ll be joined by over a dozen other startups so the culture is yours to create. The one guarantee is that you’ll have great coffee shops, nice bars, and tasty restaurants close by to fuel you along the way.

Sign Up at: http://startupstampede.com/#sec1

]]> http://blog.montie.com/2011/07/23/calling-entrepreneurs-free-office-space-during-the-durham-stampede/feed/ 0 Dennis Johnson of Stowaway Speaks Innovation http://blog.montie.com/2011/05/06/dennis-johnson-of-stowaway-speaks-innovation/ http://blog.montie.com/2011/05/06/dennis-johnson-of-stowaway-speaks-innovation/#comments Fri, 06 May 2011 14:41:27 +0000 Montie Roland http://blog.montie.com/?p=391 Dennis Johnson is the man bringing the Stowaway Attic lift to the market (and a Montie Design client).  Here is his company’s creation:

This morning he had a great addition to the standard definition of innovation.  He said:

Innovation is not giving people what they asked for.  It is delighting people with something they never dreamed of.  Dennis Johnson, Stowaway, 2011

Its a great way to think about measuring the effectiveness of your innovation by the results. Never discount the “wonder” factor in your work or design.

Have a great day!
Montie

]]> http://blog.montie.com/2011/05/06/dennis-johnson-of-stowaway-speaks-innovation/feed/ 0 Montie Design Kicks Off 2011 Lunch and Learns in Style http://blog.montie.com/2011/01/21/montie-design-kicks-off-2011-lunch-and-learns-in-style/ http://blog.montie.com/2011/01/21/montie-design-kicks-off-2011-lunch-and-learns-in-style/#comments Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:14:23 +0000 dave http://blog.montie.com/?p=310 Over two dozen attendees engaged in networking and education at the first Lunch and Learn event of the new year hosted by Montie Design and the RTP Product Development Guild January 19.

Barry Cox presenting to crowd

Barry Cox of Wyle Labs presented “Alphabet Soup: The Acronyms and Steps of Military Contracting” sharing important insights related to the business of developing and bringing engineered products to market.

Barry’s interactive session was well-received, with audience questions targeting a myriad of different confusing elements of defense industry contracting. Peer-to-peer conversations after the presentation spilled out of the Montie Design studio and into the main lobby, with many attendees staying well over the allotted time to share leads and business expertise with one another.

The next Lunch and Learn is February 2, featuring Jeff Smith, Trajectory Business Services presenting, “Who’s Your Product?  Putting the Right Name on What You Sell.”

Over two dozen attendees attended for education and networking

Look for more information in the next Montie Design newsletter coming out soon.

The rest of the Q1 2011 lineup includes:

Wed, Feb 16
Raising Capital and Cash Flow Enhancement in the New Economy
Featuring Susan Hasty, BCF, and Phil Apostolico, Guardian Ins.

Wed, Mar 2
Protecting Your Company’s Intellectual Property: Non-disclosure Agreements
Featuring John Slaughter, Moore & Van Allen

Wed, Mar 16
Steps to Increased Sales: Creating a Dependable Sales Funnel
Featuring Pam Cardozo, The Ultimate Sales Connection

]]> http://blog.montie.com/2011/01/21/montie-design-kicks-off-2011-lunch-and-learns-in-style/feed/ 0 Jan 19 – Barry Cox / Wyle Labs Lunch and Learn http://blog.montie.com/2011/01/12/jan-19-barry-cox-wyle-labs-lunch-and-learn/ http://blog.montie.com/2011/01/12/jan-19-barry-cox-wyle-labs-lunch-and-learn/#comments Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:33:06 +0000 Montie Roland http://blog.montie.com/?p=269 If recent history has taught us anything, it’s that the business community cannot sit back and wait for someone else to deliver economic development. Collaboration, encouragement, and action are proven paths to success, and it’s a constant work in progress.
 
To that end Montie Design, in partnership with the RTP Product Development Guild‚ introduces the Montie Design Lunch and Learn series of semi-monthly presentation and networking events in 2011.
 
Each Lunch and Learn provides access to industry contacts and important insights related to the business of developing and bringing engineered products to market. Speakers at these events are expert practitioners in their fields, thoughtfully selected for their knowledge, professionalism, and willingness to support entrepreneurial growth. If you are involved in the technical or business side of designing and producing innovative products and technologies, Montie Design Lunch and Learns can help you find solutions and resources to help you prosper.
 
Our first Lunch and Learn features Barry Cox of Wyle Labs presenting “Alphabet Soup: The Acronyms and Steps of Military Contracting” on Wednesday, January 19. Barry’s presentation will introduce attendees to Department of Defense contracting, providing steps small businesses should take to prepare for DoD business and information on how to locate business opportunities and agencies who exist to help you succeed. A bio detailing Barry’s background and experience appears below.
 
Attendance is capped at 25, so reserve your space now. Tickets are priced at $20, but enter the discount code “alphabet” when registering to receive a $10 discount. The event will include a catered lunch by Panera Bread; all proceeds will be donated to Post 7383 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
 
The January 19 Lunch and Learn will be held at the Montie Design studio, 100 Dominion Drive, Suite 101, just south of RDU Airport in Morrisville, from noon to 1:15 p.m., with plenty of time for discussion and networking before and after the presentation.
 
We look forward to your participation!
 
Sincerely,
 
Montie Roland
President
Montie Design

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.

 

]]> http://blog.montie.com/2011/01/12/jan-19-barry-cox-wyle-labs-lunch-and-learn/feed/ 0 Montie Design President Gives Talk on X-Rest Development and Marketing on 1 Feb http://blog.montie.com/2010/01/21/montie-design-president-gives-talk-on-x-rest-development-and-marketing-on-1-feb/ http://blog.montie.com/2010/01/21/montie-design-president-gives-talk-on-x-rest-development-and-marketing-on-1-feb/#comments Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:02:44 +0000 Montie Roland http://blog.montie.com/?p=245 (Morrisville, N.C.) Montie Roland, president of collaborative product design and development firm Montie Design, will be leading the discussion, “X-Rest – The Process of Going from Concept to Consumer” February 1st as part of the RTP Product Development Guild Speaker Series. The event will be hosted at multimedia and mobile messaging firm Tekelec from 11:30 – 1:00 p.m.

The presentation will take attendees on a visual tour through the development process for the X-Rest, a unique portable shooting accessory conceived, designed, and distributed by Montie Design. Since Montie Design began selling the X-Rest in the Spring of 2009, it has seen distribution grow from local to regional to national.

“We felt very strongly that by utilizing our design facility as a learning laboratory to conceptualize, build, market and distribute our own product we could learn where we needed to tighten our process and strengthen our capabilities to better serve clients,” Roland said, adding, “The opportunity to understand first-hand how companies launch new products into the marketplace, and what challenges that brings and how they relate to the design process is invaluable.”

Attendees at the February 1st event will follow Montie Design on its quest to take the X-Rest from concept to market, getting a behind-the-scenes look at the integrated design, public relations and marketing process. Prototypes of the X-Rest critical to the development of a simple product will be on-hand, as will samples of the finished product, to give professionals in the design and product development industry a better understanding of the entire process of getting a product to market..

Designed to meet the needs of all shooters as well as most firearms, the easy-to-carry X-Rest weighs less approximately one pound and disassembles easily in three pieces, fitting neatly into a small carrying case. Unlike conventional bench rests, which are heavy and complex, the X-Rest  — made of sturdy yet lightweight aluminum — provides steady support for different sized long guns ranging from  semi-automatic and bolt action rifles to shotguns, carbines and pistols.

The X-Rest was the second “test” product designed and distributed by Montie Design in 2009, following the firm’s innovative radio frequency identification (RFID) detector card which was released in January and is now being sold throughout the U.S. and seven foreign countries.

Both the RFID detector and the X-Rest are produced in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, using local manufacturers. The event sponsor, the RTP Product Development Guild, is a local group of engineers and designers working together to improve the regional economy.

To register online visit http://xrest.eventbrite.com/. Cost to attend is $15, which covers lunch. A video demonstration of the X-Rest is available online:

http://www.youtube.com/user/montieroland#p/u/3/XeRrmbh7-Vk

For more information visit http://www.rtpproductguild.com.

About Tekelec
Tekelec, a global leader in core multimedia session control, mobile messaging and network intelligence, ensures scalable, secure and highly available communications. The company’s market-leading signaling solutions enable the interworking of different network applications, technologies and protocols, providing a smooth transition to next-generation networks. Tekelec has more than 25 offices around the world serving customers in more than 100 countries, with corporate headquarters located near Research Triangle Park in Morrisville, N.C., U.S.A. For more information, please visit www.tekelec.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.  Visit Montie Design at www.montie.com.

About the RTP Product Development Guild
The RTP Product Development Guild seeks to improve the regional economy in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, N.C. by providing a framework for product developers and startups to work together on products in a collaborative environment. This helps entrepreneurs move products to market that might otherwise languish due to a lack of funding and professional guidance. The Guild accepts applications for products, services or concepts from entrepreneurs, early stage start-ups and corporate spin-offs. More information is available online at www.rtpproductguild.com.

]]> http://blog.montie.com/2010/01/21/montie-design-president-gives-talk-on-x-rest-development-and-marketing-on-1-feb/feed/ 0 RTP Design Resources Map is Now Live! http://blog.montie.com/2010/01/05/rtp-design-resources-map-is-now-live/ http://blog.montie.com/2010/01/05/rtp-design-resources-map-is-now-live/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:00:28 +0000 Montie Roland http://blog.montie.com/?p=232 RTP Product Design Resources Map(Morrisville, N.C.) The RTP Product Development Guild and NC Product Design & Prototyping Co-Op have launched a new interactive map to connect out-of-state business professionals with quality Research Triangle Park-area manufacturing design and production talent.

The RTP Design & Prototyping Resources Map, accessible via www.rtpdesignmap.com, enables visitors to click on business locations highlighted on a visual map of the RTP area or filter product design resources by 34 categories. The results include details on each participating business’ specialty, physical location, contact information and website URL.

“RTP is one of those unique tech-heavy areas throughout the U.S. where you can literally get off a plane, rent a car, and in five minutes be at the front door of any number of companies to support the development, manufacturing, and marketing of a new innovative product,” Montie Roland, president of the RTP Product Development Guild, said.

According to Roland, the map’s development comes from the queries he has been receiving over the past year from entrepreneurs and innovators looking to tap into the RTP area’s well-trained workforce and rich business development resources.

“People contact the Co-Op and the Guild looking for info on professionals who might be able to support their product development needs, but they don’t know who is here and whereabouts they are located,” he said, adding, “When they find out how many are located within a stone’s throw of RDU airport it blows them away.

“The physical representation of the sheer number of sought-after companies on the map helps drive that point home for those unfamiliar with the area,” he said.  “It also shows seasoned engineers where they can find vendors that are often right down the street.”

According to Roland, the map is the only one if its kind in North Carolina.

Launched in late December 2009, the RTP Product Design Resources Map currently has 63 companies listed, representing industry sectors such as product design, rapid prototyping and manufacturers providing much needed parts for products designed by startups. Members of the Guild and Co-Op can get listed for free; non-members can submit listings for a fee of $49 per year.

Founded in 2007, the RTP Product Development Guild is a community of designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, inventors and other professionals devoted to helping the RTP regional economy, clients, members and businesses prosper through technological product innovation. Together with the NC Product Design & Prototyping Co-Op, the Guild has hosted numerous educational and networking events throughout 2009, in addition to an annual Street Faire in September bringing hundreds of attendees and exhibitors together in a relaxing, family friendly atmosphere.

For more information about the Guild or Co-Op visit www.rtpproductguild.com or contact Montie Roland at 919-481-1845.

The RTP Product Development Guild seeks to improve the regional economy in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, N.C. by providing a framework for product developers and startups to work together on products in a collaborative environment. This helps entrepreneurs move products to market that might otherwise languish due to a lack of funding and professional guidance. The Guild accepts applications for products, services or concepts from entrepreneurs, early stage start-ups and corporate spin-offs. More information is available online at www.rtpproductguild.com.

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