Posts by Kendall Groelsma
How to Perform a Tolerance Stack Analysis: Step-by-step Guide
In mechanical design, precision matters. Whether you’re building a simple bracket or a complex assembly, parts need to fit and function together seamlessly. That’s where tolerance stack analysis comes in. A well-done 1D tolerance stack can help save time, reduce errors, improve product quality, and prevent costly surprises down the line. In this guide, I’ll…
Read More“Almost-Good” Product Ideas Can Sink You
The product ideas most dangerous to your business aren’t the silly ones. They’re the almost-good ones: the ones so attractive that you don’t notice the venomous stinger. A project we worked on a couple of years ago taught me this lesson in a hard way. It was a domestic boiler concept that had everything going…
Read MoreUnderstanding R&D Tax Credit Changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Innovation is never cheap. For companies pushing the boundaries of product development, research and development (R&D) spending has long been a balance of necessity and financial challenge. But a piece of that equation may be changing. Signed into law on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces the most significant expansion…
Read MoreTariff Troubles? Here’s How Automation Can Help (If You’re Ready for It)
Businesses hate uncertainty like Wi-Fi hates a Zoom call—right when it matters most, everything freezes. In our connected world of complex global supply chains there’s nothing more freezing than uncertainty around the “T-word.” Tariffs. Managing Uncertainty Looks Different At Every Scale I recently had the pleasure of speaking with a senior executive of a global…
Read MoreFEA Isn’t Just for Validation—Here’s a Smarter Way to Simulate
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a powerful engineering analysis technique that helps engineers predict how products or components will perform under real-world conditions. By breaking complex structures into smaller, manageable elements, it evaluates factors like stress, heat, and vibration before building a physical prototype. It’s likely that you (or your team) are already running FEA…
Read MoreOptimizing Prototype Costs: Scaling From One Unit to Thousands
For companies working to develop a new product, the journey from an initial first-of-its-kind prototype to full-scale production presents a series of tough decisions. Having a clear product roadmap and reviewing it often can help avoid costly mistakes while scaling. The cost for prototype components is often astronomical in single quantities, but you can quickly…
Read MoreHidden Complexities of Li-Ion Battery Manufacturing (and How to Solve Them)
Energy storage, much like actual storage, can be costly to build and maintain. As much of the world has pushed itself to become more environmentally friendly, the efficient energy storage problem has been at the forefront of many industries. How can we do this safely? Cost-effectively? Sustainably? Meeting these challenges requires a deep understanding of…
Read MoreCapital Project Management Done Right: Best Practices for Success
Whether you’re managing a new factory build, equipment upgrade, or infrastructure expansion, effective capital project management (CPM) can significantly impact cost, timeline, and overall project outcomes. What Is Capital Project Management? Project & Industry Examples Capital project management is the process of planning, executing, and overseeing large-scale investments in physical assets. It requires full oversight,…
Read More25 Years of DISHER!
DISHER is celebrating 25 years of innovation and service in 2025! We’ve found many ways to celebrate this milestone, including a special company offsite and a video to document all that DISHER has come to be. DISHER was founded on the vision of Making a Positive Difference with our customers, coworkers, and communities. We’re proud…
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