The Realize Blog

Realize Employee Profile – Alan Conlu

What do you do at Realize?

Client Success Manager. I manage a core group of clients and projects that flow through the office. Make sure they are accurate and satisfied. Follow up on new prospects and clients.

What attributes are needed for your position?

Good attitude and work well with a group, you need to perform at a high level. Problem solver and communicate well.

How did you get here?

I got my design degree from Purdue…worked on industrial design, product development , 3D CAD materials and processes and Rapid Prototyping. Things have changed alot in past 12 years…the market is larger and the technology has taken off…the tech in materials have improved so much.

Name some of your favorite things in the world.

Concerts, working out….weights and cardio..sports…Purdue and Colts…not IU…skiing too.

How does Realize do things differently than the competition?

I think the people and personalities are strong and important. We focus on giving our full attention to customers. Faster service and personal touch go a long way. We strive to stay upfront and focus on getting as much information ahead of time. This makes the entire process easier, there is less email and it streamlines communication and the process for a higher degree of success for our clients projects.

Favorite meal?

Steak…bone in rib-eye…Ruth Chris is my favorite…no butter…ruins the taste and sweet potato casserole with a nice big glass Fat Tire…and for dessert…Creme Brûlée!

What music are you listening to right now?

I listen to rock and rap. But Dave Matthews Band is my favorite and the Black Keys…Flo Rida is great for workouts.

You can take two movies with you to space…which do you bring?

Princess Bride and Wedding Crashers.

One word that describes you?

Focused.

What elements of the Rapid Prototyping world fascinates you most?

The Idea of generating a real world model from 3D data, translating and converting that CAD file to something that you can feel and touch. People are amazed at what is possible…things had to be man made in the past and now we have technology that creates using materials and machines.

Any particular jobs at Realize that stand out to you?

Some of the jobs that we can’t talk about are the most exciting, and that is tough but secret projects are cool.

[lenslider id=”feb482efbb”]

January 18, 2013 Blog

Realize Employee Profile – Charlie Guernsey

What is your role at Realize?

Master Painter and detail specialist.

I work on projects that require a little more attention and detail. Lots of painting and clear coat techniques. It takes some thought and creativity to bring some of these prototypes to life.

Which item you have worked on was the most fascinating?

The naughty librarian of course….a client asked for a desktop model of one of his products…it’s 25 pieces and hardest part of creating it was blending skin tones and making the stockings look real.

What do you think are the attributes required to do your job?

Multitasking and staying efficient are a must. You need to constantly think outside of the box.

Name some of your favorite things in the world.

Good dry English humor…if you can’t have fun you might as well be dead…so I try to have fun. I like to paint miniatures, play war games, war hammer table top war game is my current favorite. I like to read and consider myself a military history junkie. My favorite war is WWII.

How does Realize do things differently than the competition?

Realize allows for independent thought and creativity. This allows employees to flourish and ultimately that benefits the customer and makes a huge difference.

Favorite meal?

Taco bar at any restaurant….I love tacos.

What music are you listening to right now?

Rush…it’s all Rush all the time…favorite song is Time Stand Still.

You can take two movies with you on a trip out to space…which do you bring?

Star Wars original and Lord of the Rings.

One word that describes you?

Fun.

One thing you would like to Rapid Prototype for yourself?

A Sherman Tank….its a big M4 WWII tank.

January 11, 2013 Blog, Realize Team

Realize Employee Profiles – Dana Andrews

What do you do at Realize?

Finishing. I get the machines cleaned up sanded, painted, whatever needs to be done. Take prototypes out of the SLA machines and soak them in a solution and release the excess resin. We use a two bath alcohol rinse, depending on the material we will clean it up and blow dry it…we use syringes, toothbrushes, and other large brushes.

What is the strangest item you have used to finish a part?

We will use a guitar string…they are small and can penetrate tiny openings and get the resin out. During the curing process we sometimes insert the string into tiny holes that may look like they have excess resin in them…don’t want the hole to close up….if it does we may need to re-do the part.

Most difficult part of your job?

Actually getting it off the platform or grid from the SLA machine…removing parts without breaking them is the toughest part…it can be 5 seconds or 50 minutes…every prototype is different.

What attributes are needed to be a finisher?

Detailed oriented, patient, and you can’t be afraid to get a little dirty! Not the cleanest job…we don’t wear anything too expensive in our department.

Name some of your favorite things in the world.

Panning for gold. The Travel Channel gold-rush fascinates me….geology….gem or jewelry side of things…my favorite gem is the sapphire. I’ve been out mining for them in Montana…and learned how to cut gems….
ATV 4 wheeling….outdoors….hiking…golf…I’m somewhere around a 20 handicap.

How does Realize do things differently than the competition?

I think that if someone is unhappy we go out of our way to resolve the issue….we go that extra step that other companies tend not to bother with.

Favorite meal?

Anything barbecued…pulled bbq pork, scalloped potatoes, and a good salad with Italian dressing..and cheesecake for dessert.

What music are you listening to right now?

I listen to the rock of the 70’s and 80’s and light jazz….one of my favs is Tom Petty.

You can take two movies with you to space…which do you bring?

James Bond with Ursala Andress…Dr. No and the Godfather.

One word that describes you?

Diversified.

One personal thing you would like to Rapid Prototype?

I would like to have a 3D prototype of my family….my sister and parents.

[lenslider id=”c76f2e89f1″]

December 19, 2012 Blog

The Realize Process

One thing that’s exciting about visiting Realize is the tour of our facility.

Rapid Prototyping not only sounds like something cool, it’s an interesting process.

Watching the team take on new projects is something special…so I snuck in one day and bothered them to give you this report.

I give you…the Realize process…or at the very least my version of it:) Enjoy – Ray

Step 1 – contact

Our friendly client success managers will answer and ask questions to find out the scope of your project to find the best solutions for you, in between group sing a longs and youtube viewing parties of course.

Friendly CSM!

Step 2 – Quoting

We will then work on getting your quote. It’s a formula driven estimate that combines equipment and a human element. And other technical stuff too I’m sure…but could not find pictures of that.

Some serious staged pointing going on here.

Step 3- Stereolithography process

Once we agree on a direction for your project then we execute the stereolithography process. This is science and art driven. Our expertise will provide the best part in the end. I misspelled Stereolithography several times in this post btw.

NEVER stare directly into the lasers…

Step 4 – The Machines!

Our machines not only are state of the art, we also have named each of them after supermodels. It’s where science and fun come together in a truly magical way.

Rapid Prototyping has never looked better!

Step 5 – Clean up

The clean up process involves several steps. Removing Support, liquid resin stripped away and a curing process. There are many secrets we can’t reveal that occur during this phase…I could tell you but then I would have to…well you know.

[lenslider id=”d2ed814d73″]

Step 6-Delivery

You will get the finest prototype part that can be created combining technology and the human element…and some candy too!

What is a part, or anything really without some candy?

December 12, 2012 Blog