Double Product Feature: Paper Towel Transfer Unit & Spool Handling Unit

DOUBLE FEATURE Too much of a good thing is a very good thing, and in today's application spotlight, we're featuring two HepcoMotion products back-to-back. Check out how two different products were used for motion without limits.

TRANSFER UNIT FOR PAPER ROLLS
Twin back-to-back oval tracks have carriages joined with support rollers, with connecting links for driving, that move paper towels from one place to another. This assembly combines the PRT2 (precision ring and track) and DTS (driven track system) product lines.

SPOOL HANDLING UNIT
The durability and strength of HDLS (heavy duty driven linear system) lies in its capabilities. The beauty of HDLS is that it utilizes heavy duty slides and actuates them by AT series belt. Both the narrow unit and the wide HDLS units feature left, right, and dual
output shafts, and gear boxes may be supplied directly coupled to units. Extended output shafts on gear boxes are also possible to drive two systems in parallel.

Optional shock absorbers and rubber buffers are available for HDLS systems. In this application example the gripper holds a spool of kevlar fiber tape during the production of high performance composite storage tanks. The spool gripper rotates on a ring and moves on the HDLS unit.

To learn more about these application stories and
others, visit us online: bwc.com/app_stories.php

Linear Actuators and Rotary Guides on SlideShare

Check out our latest uploads on the Bishop-Wisecarver Group SlideShare channel. We recently posted a three part series on our latest product release. Learn more about our seamless rotary guide design and other great information in our new, easy-to-use slideshow.

Watch, Read, Listen, Do: 3D Printing Human Body Parts and Cursory STEM Education

Albert Einstein said, "Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere." Just as it's critical to keep your thinking skills and logical abilities sharp, it's even more crucial to foster your imagination. Part of what lights up our creativity here at the Bishop-Wisecarver Group is how well we keep current on the world around us. We're checking in on social media channels for the good and the great because we're more than just your linear slide and rotary guide specialists! We're also a specialty contract manufacturer and engineering service provider — a bustling family of solutions looking for inspiration that will spark new creative ideas. Here's a bit of what we found inspirational in the world of science, technology, engineering, art, and manufacturing. Where do you dial in for the latest news?

Photo Credit: DesignNews

[ Watch ] Elizabeth Montalbano, Design News contributing author, informs us of the ways in which the 3D printing revolution poses solutions for many medical dilemmas. Moving forward into the future, for example, burn victims can have skin cells 3D printed to resolve damage to their bodies. What other creative applications of 3D printing are they making a reality? Check out this slideshow!

[ Read ] According to Pat Reynolds of Packaging World, by 2020, only 20 percent of equipment mechanically constructed in 1980 would would be mechanical, with electronics taking their place. With that, "mechatronics" engineering training will be more important than ever.

[ Listen ] An experiment conceived a half century ago has confirmed Einstein's general relativity predictions of the spacetime effects of Earth's mass and spin, Karen Hopkin reports. Tune into this fascinating podcast.


Photo Credit: Bricks4Kidz

[ Do ] Calling all parents! With locations all over the United States and Canada, there are plenty of opportunities for your children to play at Bricks 4 Kidz, which provides an atmosphere for children to “… learn… build… and play…” with LEGO® bricks. Programs are designed by engineers and architects, with exciting themes such as space, construction, and amusement parks, and specially designed project kits and theme-based models provide the building blocks for the Bricks 4 Kidz approach to educational play. At Bricks 4 Kidz, we believe that kids learn best through activities that engage their curiosity and creativity.

Motion Monday: Inventions and Innovations Coming This Weekend at the Maker Faire

PDF Download: Click Here

Bishop-Wisecarver was founded on the ingenuity of Bud Wisecarver. His passion for invention and innovation grew into a company, and today we are celebrating more than sixty years of business.

All because one person was driven to do something great!

That's why were excited every year when the Maker Faire comes to the San Francisco Bay area, "The Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth" where makers from all around the globe come to share and celebrate their creative visions, imaginative projects, and DIY fun (May 19th and 20th).

It's a family-friendly festival focused on invention, creativity, and resourcefulness — truly a celebration of the good and the great known to many as the Maker Movement.

In honor of the big weekend coming up, we've created a fun word search of terms related to all things Maker Faire. To learn more about the Maker Faire, visit www.makerfaire.com.

Watch, Read, Listen, Do: Motion Control for Halloween Props and the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth

Albert Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." Just as it's critical to keep your education up to date, it's even more crucial that your imagination be fed daily doses of inspiration. Part of what lights up our creativity here at the Bishop-Wisecarver Group is how well we keep current on the world around us. We're checking in on social media channels for the good and the great because we're more than just your linear guide specialist! We're also a specialty contract manufacturer and engineering service provider — a busy family of solutions looking for inspiration to spark new creative ideas every day. Here's a bit of what we found inspirational in the world of science, technology, engineering, art, and manufacturing. Where do you dial in for the latest news?

[ Watch ] So Bad So Good writer Alex Wain asks, "Who needs an entire restaurant of expensive chefs, sommeliers, crisp cut waiters or a maître d’ when you have an army of 20 robots waiting for your command?" His article features a small restaurant located in Harbin, China that is attracting diners looking for something a little different. Now that's a lot of motion without limits! Check out the photos featured in this write-up.

Photo Credit: So Bad So Good

[ Read ] David Mantey, the Executive Editor at PD&D, recently wrote a cover story titled "Welcome to My Nightmare" that showcases how motion control and automation play a part in the making of Halloween props. The industry known for producing all things that go bump in the night is no stranger to the many imaginative uses of linear slides and rotary guides.

[ Listen ] President of Bishop-Wisecarver Group, Pamela Kan, was featured in the "7 Minutes With" audio series by Modern Distribution Management (MDM) on the impact of sequestration, the value of bringing manufacturing back to the U.S., why social media is part of the manufacturer's growth strategy, and more. Hear what she had to say!

Photo Credit: Bishop-Wisecarver

[ Do ] The Maker Faire is coming to the San Francisco Bay Area this month, so if you're in the area, don't miss out on this inspirational event! From life-size robotic giraffes to CNC routers that will make your woodworking dreams come true, it really is "the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth." Meet the makers and their creative designs in "a family-friendly festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness." Tickets can be purchased online prior to the event.

Q&A for Naasik Akkas, Test and Automation Engineer

Naasik first started at Bishop-Wisecarver
as an intern last year.

Naasik Akkas joined the Bishop-Wisecarver team late last year, bringing with him a mechanical engineering degree from UC Berkeley and with an internship at Bishop-Wisecarver already under his belt. Invigorated by the knowledge and experience that he was able to gain here during the summer of 2012, Naasik focuses his work on mechatronics as a Test and Automation Engineer. Not only was the team excited to have him the first time, but even more enthused that he came aboard after completing his education. Have a question for Naasik? Leave a comment in the comments section below!

Question: Why did you want to be an engineer, and did you always know that this was something that you wanted to do, or was it a decision that emerged later?

NA: My dad is a mechanical engineer and I saw what he got to do, so since I was very young I always thought I wanted to be a mechanical engineer. Once I was in high school I got really interested in physics and learned more about mechanical engineering, and that helped me decide that it was something I really wanted to do.

Question: Where did you receive your education in engineering and in what area did you specialize?

NA: I received a B.S. in mechanical engineering from UC Berkeley with an emphasis in controls and robotics. I ended up working on two sizeable projects: the first project was a robot that used computer vision to detect people and follow them around, and the second project was an amphibious vehicle that is able to travel on both land and water.

Question: What kind of job experience did you have before joining the Bishop-Wisecarver team?

Answer: I interned at Bishop-Wisecarver during the summer of 2012 doing job functions very similar to those that I am performing now. Before that, I had an internship in Bangladesh doing work with industrial automation.

Question: What advice would you give to a young person who is interested in a career in engineering? Let’s say a middle school student or a high school student.

Answer: Always try to improve your math and physics knowledge. Those are incredibly important subjects for a mechanical engineer to master. Also, for high school students I would say definitely go above and beyond the normal coursework. Most importantly, try to make real world connections with everything you learn.

Question: What's the most rewarding aspect of being an engineer?

NA: When something you build actually works.

Question: Technology plays a big role in the type of engineering that you do. Is it a lot of effort to stay abreast of recent technologies used in your area of expertise?

NA: It can be, but if you are always interested in the subject then it's easy to stay on top of it. I learn a lot from Ali Jabbari (Vice President of Engineering) and George Anwar (Consultant). So talking to the right people and being around the right people in the field helps. Also, articles on the internet and blogs that discuss technology are very useful.

Question: Which aspects of your role at Bishop-Wisecarver do you appreciate the most? In what areas do you find yourself working the hardest?

Answer: I appreciate the amount of creativity we are able to exercise with selecting components and also in other aspects of decision-making. I appreciate the ability to be able to make these types of decisions, and the level of responsibility that we are given is great because I get to learn more by being tasked with solving these problems.

Question: What’s your favorite quote, or personal motto?

Answer: “Victory is won not in miles but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later, win a little more.” — Louis L'Amour

Question: Do any of your hobbies outside of work relate to your job, any technical trades, or anything having to do with engineering?

Answer: I play with microcontrollers like the Arduino and the Lego NXT Robotics platform to build small devices and work on personal projects for fun. I like making home automation machines.

Question: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Answer: I want to see myself running my own industrial automation and robotics company.

Q&A With Mechatronics Engineer Garrett Diulio

Garrett Diulio working on a large
custom actuated linear guide (belt driven).

Garrett Diulio joined the Bishop-Wisecarver Group earlier this year, and with him comes great enthusiasm for all things mechatronic related. As our Mechatronics Engineer, Garrett is focused on projects that require both mechanical and electronic expertise. Have a question for Garret? Leave a comment in the section below!

Question: Why did you want to be an engineer, and did you always know that this was something that you wanted to do, or was it a decision that emerged later?

GD: For me, it was a decision that came later in life, during my first semester of community college. I liked math and science, and fixing things. I’ve always had fun building things and taking things apart and putting them back together.

I started out as an electrical engineer, and I realized shortly thereafter that my true passion was in mechanical engineering. It is so broad, probably the broadest field of engineering. You are exposed to everything. There is no job a mechanical engineer couldn’t do.

Question: What are your earliest memories of putting things together?

GD: I remember trying to take apart a cell phone as a little kid.

Question: Where did you receive your education in engineering, and in what area did you specialize?

GD: I received a degree from UC Berkeley and my major was mechanical engineering. I had to do a senior project that was very similar to what I’m doing here at BWG; my senior project was on mechatronics. Mechatronics is just a fancy word for a combination of electrical, software, mechanical, and controls engineering.

Question: What kind of job experience did you have before joining the Bishop-Wisecarver team?

GD: I had a few internships. I had one internship where I did a lot of mechanical design, which I do a lot of here as well, although the industry was different (the medical field). It was a company that made heart pumps and I had to design the connectors in CAD.

I had another internship as an analyst reviewing bone strength data, and I would use finite element analysis in order to find the varied strengths from patients; usually older patients. The software was used to predict when patients could potentially fracture their hip or pelvis… they recently got FDA-approved.

I did have a third internship that are similar to my duties at Bishop-Wisecarver. My responsibility for that job was to figure out how to make the robot navigate autonomously through a maze. I focused on software and the electrical portions of the project. This was preliminary research for a firefighting robot.

Question: What advice would you give to a young person who is interested in an engineering focused career? Let’s say a middle school student or a high school student.

GD: Make sure you are very passionate about the aspect of engineering you select — it really makes a difference in engineering. You can really tell a difference between people who come to work just to earn a paycheck and those who truly love what they do at the office. In engineering, it’s the little details that matter the most.

Question: What's the most rewarding aspect of being an engineer?

GD: Finishing a project — the point at which all elements are functional and operating the way they’re supposed to... that's a really satisfying feeling.

Question: Technology plays a big role in the type of engineering that you do. Does it require much effort to stay abreast of recent technologies used in your area of expertise?

GD: Going back to how passionate you are — if it’s what you love, it’s pretty easy to stay on top of it all. You’ll be willing and have the desire to keep learning, and it will come naturally to you; second nature almost. I think the key is always trying new things.

Question: Which aspects of your role at Bishop-Wisecarver do you appreciate the most?

GD: The thing that I must focus on the most is planning and scheduling; ordering due dates and logistics. It is always critical to make sure that everything comes together in the allotted time frame. Without planning and preparation, you are doomed.

Question: What’s your favorite quote, or personal motto?

GD: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” – Steve Jobs

Question: Do any of your hobbies outside of work relate to your job — any technical trades or anything having to do with engineering?

GD: I still work on my senior project sometimes. It’s kind of a hobby. I still work on it because I want to showcase it someday. You think you’re close to perfection, but really, there’s always more to refine.

Question: Where do you see yourself in five years?

GD: Within five years, I hope to have created and launched my own product line based on the concept of autonomous machinery.

Q&A with FIRST Coach Sherry Batin: "Have Patience."

The Bishop-Wisecarver family of companies is proud to be recognized as a FIRST Robotics Competition Diamond Supplier this year — we're even more proud of the great work accomplished by the teams we sponsor. Both the students and the mentors are an inspiration to us all, and it's an honor to share their story.

This week, we'd like to feature Sherry Batin, the assistant coach for the Fembots team #692, who was eager to share her experiences about FIRST with us: what compelled her to get involved and how she was able to fill the role of a FIRST coach.

A mechanical engineer by training, Sherry clearly had the technical skills for the position, but per the organization's founder Dean Kamen, FIRST is about "...more than just building a robot." See what Sherry had to say about what it takes to be a successful FIRST mentor!


Question: What made you decide to become a FIRST coach and what have you gained
from this experience?

SB: After some unusual circumstances that happened to the team the previous year, I wanted the
students on the team to know that there will always be someone there to support them. Really, I
did it for the students, because they needed someone to lead them, especially when they started
to think no one wanted to be their coach.

I didn't think I was grown up enough to lead a group of high school students and handle such a large endeavor, but they needed someone; I bit the bullet and took on this huge role. Although, I put myself aside to take on this big job for the team, and I gained a load of new experiences. I became more confident in myself and my abilities to lead people. I learned to not hesitate when planning needed to happen and that with a “grown up” role I should always be the first to act.

Question: We recognize that FIRST is not just about kids building a robot. What else does this competition mean for you as a coach? What else does this competition mean for the
kids?

SB: FIRST is a lot more involved than your typical after school club. So many things have to happen at the same time for a FIRST team to do what it needs to do, but the most important are the
relationships it creates because it's a chance for students to participate with professionals in their field (engineers or otherwise). It's where true mentorship happens. Students get this rare chance to hear about what these professionals did to reach the point that they're already at in their
careers while creating a relationship with these adults.

Question: As a FIRST coach, what have you learned about yourself, particularly in regards
to your strengths and weaknesses?

SB: I have learned a lot about my interpersonal skills. I have been told that I have this commanding air that the students find comfort in following; people management seems to come easily to me. However, I also think that my interpersonal skills need more work. I think that may be because I am neither a teacher nor a parent, but it something that I will continue to work on.

Question: Which aspect(s) of the FIRST Robotics Competition are you most excited about?

SB: I personally love the three days worth of competitions. I enjoy the fast paced atmosphere where
quick thinking and problem solving skills are most important. I also enjoy being able to see what
other teams have created to solve the same design problem presented to everyone at the beginning of January.

Question: What is your favorite aspect of being a coach?

SB: I love story time. I like sharing stories, stories that can inspire the students, anecdotes to share when things start to seem bleak and tiring. It doesn't matter if it's my own personal story or stories I've heard from other teams or people. I want my students to understand that as unique as this team can be, there are thousands of other teams, thousands of other students going through similar experiences. I want to remind my students that although our experiences are special to us, there are other examples and experiences that we can gain inspiration from.

Question: What advice do you have to give to future or other FIRST coaches?

SB: Have patience. As much as we adults want to do everything for the students; as much as it would save time and money to do it ourselves, that's not the point of this program at all. So FIRST coaches, have patience. Guide them through the process, but the important thing is that they get to the end result themselves.

Question: What do you think the future of FIRST is, and of STEM in general?

SB: I want to see FIRST continue to grow. I have been affiliated with FIRST since 2002 and it has grown so much already. I want to continue to be involved for 10 more years. As huge as this program is, the interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) is still small.

Too many people discover the magic of STEM later, and it would be amazing to see more young people be interested in STEM sooner. Somehow, young people need to stop being afraid of math and science...

Question: Is there anything else about FIRST that you’d like to share?

SB: FIRST gives you such awesome experiences, adults and students alike. I would encourage
anyone to become involved in FIRST.

FIRST Team The Fembots Tour the Bishop-Wisecarver Facility

Part of the Bishop-Wisecarvear team guided the ever-enthusiastic Fembots, FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 692, through our California-based facility last week. The all-girls team from St. Francis High School in Sacramento has an unending thirst for learning, and for, well, the FIRST, a non-profit robotics program geared at “…transforming our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders."

Those great words come from Dean Kamen, an American inventor and co-founder of FIRST.

Our Vice President of Manufacturing, Aldo DeAmicis, and our Product Manager, Brian Burke, led groups through the facility, describing products, processes, and equipment.

We caught up with the Fembots after their tour to hear what they were thinking and to answer any of their follow-up questions. The post-tour discussion began with technically-oriented questions that ranged from curiosity about the manufacturing floor to more FIRST-geared discussion with Pamela Kan, our company president.

 “A lot of people are really surprised when we tell them that we’re girls and we’re participating in FIRST,” one of the team members from the audience explained to Kan.

Kan nodded in agreement: “Girls can solve problems too,” she noted, “Oftentimes in ways that are much more different than men. Girls are creative, too.”

Kan then posed several questions to the Fembots team.

“Did you like learning tactically, in a hands-on type of environment?”

A series of “yeahs” emerged from around the room, with many team members nodding in agreement.

“What did you like best about FIRST?” Kan ventured.

“I like how you learn all of this stuff,” one student offered.

One of the team members raised her hand and offered her answer to Kan’s question.

“My favorite thing about FIRST is that I was able to write my college essay about being on a FIRST team. Because of that essay, I got a lot of personal responses to my college applications, and I also ended up getting a lot of scholarships. Actually, I got into my top choice school — U.C. Davis.”'

Kan nodded, smiling. “And this is why we believe in the event,” Kan later shared. “It is because of the infectious hope it offers and the starting point it provides for kids who want a future in science, technology, engineering, and math.”

Kan concluded the Q&A session by saying, “My favorite thing about FIRST is that you do everything in teams — because in work, at a job, you work in teams. FIRST is just like the real world, and it’s tough to get that type of hands on education anywhere else.”

[ VIDEO ] 2013 First Robotics Competition Sacramento Regional

Bishop-Wisecarver is proud to be a Diamond Supplier this year of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) — we're even more proud of the teams we sponsor. Their hard work is an inspiration to us all, and it's an honor to share their journey's with you.

In this video you will see exclusive coverage shot by the BWC team on Friday, March 22 in Davis, California. You will also meet two team members from the Fembots #692.

Q&A with Northern California FIRST Senior Mentor Teri Benart

Bishop-Wisecarver is proud to be a Diamond Supplier this year of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) — we're even more proud of the teams we sponsor. Their hard work is an inspiration to us all, and it's an honor to share with you their story.

This week, we'd like to feature Northern California FIRST Senior Mentor Teri Benart. Although she is busy participating in regional competitions, Teri took time out to meet with us for a Q&A session. Have questions for her? Leave 'em in our comments section!

Question: Almost anyone involved in FIRST has the opportunity to be a mentor. Sometimes it’s mentors guiding students, students helping students, and students advising mentors—do you have words of wisdom to share with teams who have just joined FIRST this season?

Answer: My advice to students would be to leverage the veteran teams to help you through the FIRST build season. It’s always a challenge to learn how to get this done. Secondly, utilize all of your resources, including the FIRST website, and the Non-Engineering Mentor Organization (NEMO) website as well. Chief Delphi is also a great website, and that is a blogging area where teams discuss their designs and challenges. Chief Delphi is a great site for teams to connect with other teams.

Question: We recognize that FIRST is not just about kids building a robot. What else does this competition mean for you as a mentor? What else does this competition mean for the kids?

Answer: It keeps me open-minded as a mentor and informed as to what kids are thinking these days. I get a lot of satisfaction out of watching kids get it, and when I say “get it”, I mean watching kids be part of a team; it’s just amazing to me.

I have a firsthand experience with my son who is going into mechanical engineering. He is a freshman at the University of Nevada in Reno. One of his closest friends is at University of California Santa Barbara studying mechanical engineering also. I think what’s most interesting is that all the friends he hung out with on his FIRST Robotics team are all studying engineering at different schools—all five of them. My son did FIRST Robotics for all four years.

What happened was that he and one friend (who is now studying engineering at Cal Poly) grabbed their other friends after doing FIRST their freshman year, and maintained a consistent group throughout their sophomore, junior, and senior years as FIRST participants. It was a great experience for me as mom because I was a mentor for the team up until this year.

In the 2009 game, my son asked me to go with him to the kick-off and from that moment on I was hooked. I also am the chairperson for the UC Davis Regional in addition to being the Northern California Senior Mentor. I’m working on doing Junior FLL with my grandson, who is 8 years old. I was just visiting him this weekend, and we were building a Lego robot. I love watching kids get excited about the process of creation.

Also, I've noticed that there are a lot of girls I know who never would've done what they’re doing without going into this program. How many girls grow up dreaming of using power tools? After getting into this activity, many girls end up realizing that they actually enjoy it. It (FIRST) helps them to apply knowledge.

For example, my son up at college needed to build a hovercraft, my son was able to recommend the appropriate material with which to build the hovercraft.

Question: As a FIRST mentor, what have you learned about yourself, particularly in regards to your strengths and weaknesses? (This could be particular technical skills, knowledge, or personal skills).

Answer: What I've learned about my strengths is that I am really a strong planner. I really keep the kids on track from a planning perspective, whether we are talking about financial planning, project planning, or meeting deadlines.

What the kids have taught me the most is to keep an open mind and that anything is possible. They've shown me over and over again that the things I think won’t work will work.

Question: Which aspect(s) of the FIRST Robotics Competition are you most excited about?

Answer: The Chairman’s Awards because it talks about sustainability, longevity, and business continuity for the team. It tells me that these kids are thinking about something other than building a robot.

Question: What is your favorite aspect of being a mentor?

Answer: Probably dancing with the kids and having fun. Watching them be happy and continually grow. I love getting up and dancing with them at Regionals and wearing silly things.

Question: What advice do you have to give to future or other FIRST mentors?

Don’t underestimate the power of the kids because those kids are amazing. They really know how to inspire me. I think they inspire me more than I inspire them.

Question: What do you think the future of FIRST is, and of STEM in general?

Answer: I think that the future of FIRST is a decentralized model where the corporate. FRC will become more like FTC and FLL. FIRST is getting so big.

Regarding STEM in general, I think that there is so much attention on STEM that I think that more and more kids will go into STEM. I think that project-based learning— which is what FIRST teaches— is more of what the public sector will begin to lean towards and evolve into. I don’t think we can continue to pound our kids with information and expect them to learn without any experiential process. My hope is that STEM influences project-based learning in public schools.

Question: Is there anything else about FIRST that you’d like to share?

I think that it’s a great organization. I know they’d like to see it move faster than it has been but let’s think about it—it’s been 22 years and this program is exploding. I think that in the short duration it’s been around that there has been phenomenal growth.

Top Five Tweets of the Week: Robotics Growing in Popularity and the Future of Manufacturing in 3D

Wow! Did the week fly by just as fast for you as it did for us? Well, in case you missed the latest and greatest in news shared on Twitter, here's our top five favorite posts from this week — from robotics making one of the hottest trends in 2013 to a Q&A with one of our very own. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

1. 3D Printing and the Future of Manufacturing via IndustryWeek: Years back, it took a tremendous amount of capital investment and time to train to become a graphic designer. Within the last decade, however, advances in digital printing and software have made the design trade more ubiquitous and accessible than ever before. Now, a similar shift is occurring within the manufacturing field: "Today, almost anyone can become a manufacturer or contribute to the manufacturing process," explains this infographic.

Credit: Forbes

2. Robotics is One of the Hottest Trends of 2013 via Forbes: Robotics are fast tracking up the ladder of importance in everyday lives. Self-driving cars, robotic surgery and robotic exoskeletons for soldiers are indeed serious stuff. Even toymakers like Lego are moving from the ranks of hobbyists to make a huge difference in people’s lives. Case in point is the partnership between FIRST LEGO League (FLL), Trophy Computers & Robotics, and SAP in South Africa.

3. Q&A with Texas Regional Sales Manager Chris Haltom via BWC: Chris joined the Bishop-Wisecarver team at the beginning of the year, bringing with him a wealth of enthusiasm!

4. Manufacturers Seek to Engage Kids via @JELDWEN on Twitter: Get chalk and draw on this doodle-ready magnetic chalkboard door! Window and door manufacturer Jeldwen explores ways to involve kids in their products, creating functional yet fun products that both adults and their fun-loving families can enjoy!

5. Some Innovation Experts Say that the U.S. is Ahead of China Despite Lost Manufacturing via Washington Monthly: The Manufacturing Institute estimates, for instance, that raw production costs in China skyrocketed 132 percent from 2003 to 2011, including Chinese wages, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports more than doubled from 2003 to 2008 –from $0.62 an hour to $1.36! Meanwhile, American production costs have fallen.

Meet the St. Francis High Fembots, Team #692: "We Take on a Challenge When We See It"

Bishop-Wisecarver is proud to be a Diamond Supplier this year of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) — we're even more proud of the teams we sponsor. Their hard work is an inspiration to us all, and it's an honor to share with you their story.

This week, we'd like to feature team #692 located in Sacramento, CA at St. Francis High School. This is our first year sponsoring the Fembots, but it's not their first year to battle. This team has many years of participation under their belt, and know all the ins and outs of participating in FRC.

Although they are busy participating in regional competitions, the team's leader Jasmine "Jaz" A. took time out to meet with us for a Q&A session. Have questions for her? Leave 'em in our comments section!

Question: We recognize that FIRST is not just about building a robot. What else does this competition encompass for you, and what are you learning as you prepare for the competition?

Answer: I’ve been on the team for four years and it’s really taught me a lot. I don’t want to go into engineering but I do want to go into psychology. I feel like working with the team has taught me how to work with others and express myself so it’s not just me who understands my ideas. I’ve also learned how to manage and run a group effectively. FIRST is a great experience, provides problem-solving and conflict management, and is not merely about technical issues — it’s a lot about compromise.

I feel like (these experiences have) really prepared me for a job out in the real world.

Question: What do you think your team is best at? Do you think that you and the other team members have discovered new interests and talents through FIRST thus far, and if so, what are they?

Answer: I think as far as my team goes, we’re best at problem-solving. We might not have the best robot when we show up to the competition but we know how to take on a challenge when we see it.

We’ve definitely fostered new talents and interests through FIRST. Some joined the team not knowing what they want to do as far as career choices, and (FIRST) goes beyond engineering. Like I said, I want to go into psychology and it’s really because of this team. I love managing personalities and seeing how people interact within groups.

Don’t get me wrong: there are definitely girls on the team that want to go into engineering. Some want to be electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, and some even want to be chemical engineers. We have a wide range of skill sets and career preferences among our team members.

I’ve tried everything on the team: build, programming, artistic stuff, but I love the management type of work the most.

Our sub teams work on a variety of efforts. For example, my team has an art sub team, so we have a group of people who focus on team promotion and things like graphic design. If they want to become graphic designers, for example, then members of our team have gained valuable experience to go into that field.

There is really something for everyone in FIRST.

Question: Which aspect(s) of the FIRST Robotics Competition is your team most excited about and why?

Answer: My team is really social. We’re also an all girls team, so that might have something to do with it. We love going around to the different teams and meeting new people, and being introduced to new ideas. We are great at socializing and talking to other teams. We are great at making ourselves known. The actual competition is exciting, as we love to introduce ourselves and network.

FIRST is a great place to meet wonderful people, and for the right reasons, too.

Question: FIRST provides many opportunities to enhance and engage different skill sets. What skills are your team members building?

Answer: Socializing, for sure, and working together as a group. Time management is a really big skill that runs throughout all our sub teams. No matter what you’re working on, you have deadlines to meet. Our school is very academically rigorous so a lot of the time management aspect (that I refer to) pertains to balancing FIRST along with the heavy workload from classes. I feel like our time management goes beyond just the team, and involves management of this project along with not only homework, but also jobs, and other extracurricular activities.

Question: Almost anyone involved in FIRST has the opportunity to be a mentor. Sometimes it’s mentors guiding students, students helping students, and students advising mentors — do you have words of wisdom to share with teams who have just joined FIRST this season?

Answer: With respect to mentors, they have a lot to teach you, but know that with mentors it’s more of a discussion. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make it a conversation. Sometimes team members get intimidated by the mentors. It’s like an interactive process, not just asking the mentor for guidance and advice, but engaging them in your project.

Question: Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Answer: FIRST is definitely life changing. It can lead you to places you never thought you’d be. It’s a great starting point.

Meet Bishop-Wisecarver's Newest Regional Sales Manager Chris Haltom

Chris joined the Bishop-Wisecarver team at the beginning of the year, bringing with him a wealth of enthusiasm! If you're located in the Southwest region, email him at chrish@bwc.com to learn more about how we work with manufacturers to engineer, manufacture, and build linear and rotary motion solutions, custom complex assemblies, and optimal embedded intelligence systems. Welcome to the team, Chris!

Question: Tell us about your background and your education.
Answer: I went to Texas A&M University and earned a B.S. in industrial distribution. I’ve worked in the power transmission industry since 1995 and my most recent experience was at THK for over five years.

Question: What do you like about sales?
Answer: I really like the problem-solving aspect. I like being able to help the customer find a solution to the issue they’re working on.

Question: What do you enjoy most about working with engineers?
Answer: I appreciate the fact that they’re so conceptually focused, and that they’re looking for the best solution to the problem.

Question: What challenges arise from selling a product based on features and benefits?
Answer: Sometimes the features and benefits don’t match the customers’ needs. Features and benefits at times will not directly address a problem or issue.

Question: What makes for a good selling relationship with a customer?
Answer: Understanding exactly what is important to that customer.

Question: If sales were a team sport, what would it be and why?
Answer: I would have to say soccer. I used to play soccer, and the reason it’s like soccer is because if everyone does not work together then you cannot achieve the end result.

Question: Speaking of sports, what’s your favorite team or teams?
Answer: For basketball, the Dallas Mavericks; for hockey, the Dallas Stars. For football, I like Texas A&M, and for soccer, I follow FC Dallas, a professional team.

Question: What do you like to do outside work?
Answer: I have six kids, so taking care of them takes up most of my time. They range in ages from 6 to 18. I also love to cook. I make mostly Mexican food, Italian food, barbeque, and I'm a decent baker, too.

Question: What’s your favorite coffee beverage? Cream, no cream, sugar, no sugar?
Answer: Black.

Question: Favorite quote?
Answer: “Living the dream.” I don’t remember who said that, but I picked that up from a former coworker. That describes my life right now.

Meet the Vacaville Robodogs Team #2085: "We're More Than Ready"

Bishop-Wisecarver is proud to be a Diamond Supplier this year of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) — we're even more proud of the teams we sponsor. These groups of students, mentors, and volunteers are dedicated to the cause, and it's an honor to share with you their story.

This week, we'd like to feature team #2085 located in Vacaville, CA at Vacaville High School. This is our first year as a sponsor of the Robodogs, but it's not their first year to battle. With more than six years of participation under their belt, the team knows the ins and outs of participating in FRC.

After working for more than 36 hours straight to meet the season's build deadline, the team's CFO Tyler K. took time out to meet with us for a Q&A session.

To see a photo gallery update of the team, click here.

Question: We recognize that FIRST is not just about building a robot. What else does this competition encompass for you, and what are you learning as you prepare for the competition?

Answer: For me, it’s a lot of working with people and about building managerial skills, like getting a group to work collectively towards one goal. FIRST is a lot about people, and lots of problem solving; working one on one to resolve interpersonal conflicts.

I do all the budgets, team logistics, and one hundred percent of the team’s travel coordination and planning. I do a lot of the paperwork that goes along with the normal presidency that we've had in years past, as well.

Courtesy of Team #2085

Question: What do you think your team is best at? Do you think that you and the other team members have discovered new interests and talents through FIRST thus far, and if so, what are they?

Answer: I would say our team is best at formulating ideas and shooting for the stars. We engage in a lot of theoretical engineering. We know AutoCAD. We do spend a lot of time on the idealistic, conceptual aspects.

Personally, I’d originally wanted to be a neuroscientist, but after going through FIRST build season I realized I’d rather lead and manage than do the actual technical work.

Question: Which aspect(s) of the FIRST Robotics Competition is your team most excited about and why?

Answer: I enjoy the actual competition. The team is excited about seeing other teams’ designs as well as the different ideas that were generated, and being a part of the collective engineering community.

Question: FIRST provides many opportunities to enhance and engage different skill sets. What skills are your team members building and do you plan to use these skills in the future, such as in a field or career you’re interested in pursuing?

Courtesy of Team #2085

Answer: A lot of them go into engineering careers. About six out of the seven of the engineering majors go into mechanical or electrical engineering. And 85-90% of the graduating seniors that participate in FIRST go into engineering. Twenty-five percent of MIT's incoming freshman participated in FIRST. Teri Benart, a FIRST Regional Manager, shared a lot of these fun facts with me.

Question: Even though we’re not to the competition yet, we know that sometimes it’s not just about the outcome, but about the process as well. What are your team’s greatest accomplishments thus far?

Answer: I would say that the amount of work and the dedication from each team member is one of the team’s greatest accomplishments.

Our first competition is this Friday—the Central Valley Competition that will be held in Madera.

Spiritually and motivationally speaking, I think we are more than ready.

When we go through build season, there is something everyone takes away from it, and that it could not be done without gracious sponsors such as Bishop-Wisecarver Group.