December 2012

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.

 

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mereedRealize Employee Profiles – Dana Andrews
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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.

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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?

 

mereedThe Realize Process
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Realize Employee Profiles – Brian Cazzell

Brian Cazzell


What do you do at Realize?


I’m a Client Success Manager – manage and oversee projects and quotes for clients. Finding solutions for prototyping challenges, helping them pick out material. Finding a different way to make parts. It’s a collaborative effort with the client.


What separates Realize from the competition?


Personalized service and we have an expert level of knowledge. We deliver project management, not just at sale but we are with you through the entire project. Most places seem to be behind the scenes, we are hands on. We assist in picking out production materials. For example a client calls in with an order that will be a polyethylene based plastic at a production level and they are looking for something in the Rapid Prototyping world that will mimic that…we consult and discuss all the resin choices. We try to educate them upfront about price vs quality.


Name some of your favorite things in the world.


Music, electric guitar (Ibanez RG old beater put together pieces parts) and my fav amp is a PV JSX half stack can’t turn up past one..it shakes the house. If you asked me to play something for you it would be Crushing Day  by Joe Satriani. I love motor sports of all kinds. Enjoy watching my son take off  in sports like football and track. I have two boys 14 and 17…one is in culinary arts at high school


Favorite meal?


Good country fried steak mashed potatoes and gravy – it’s best in Texas… really at any  restaurant..


What music are you listening to right now?


Foo Fighters on Spotify was the most recent thing…


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


Vacation – the original, and Nacho Libre


One word that describes you?


Consistent.


One item from your life that you would like to Rapid Prototype?


My 72 Gran Torino Ford….I went to car shows with my family and bought the car at one so it meant a lot to me….

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mereedRealize Employee Profiles – Brian Cazzell
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