Design. Validate. Scale.
A five-part series for engineering and product teams moving from design to production.Ā Ā
Live monthlyĀ sessionsĀ July through November.
From First Model to First Production Run
Getting a product from design to production takes more than a strong CAD model. There are decisions to be made aboutĀ prototypes, materials, manufacturing methods, tooling, cost, lead time, and quality.Ā
In this five-part fireside chat series, Hawk Ridge Systems andĀ A3D ManufacturingĀ will walk through the product lifecycle step by step. Each session focuses on a key stage in the journey from design validation to scalable production.Ā
Episodes are 20 minutes long and includes live Q&A. Recordings will be available on this page after each session.
Series Schedule
Your Speakers
Michael Dymond
Michael Dymond is the Product Manager for A3D Manufacturing and theĀ primaryĀ subject matter expertĀ across all five episodes ofĀ the Fireside Chat Series. With a background in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Washington, 10 years in digital manufacturing, and more than 4,400 deliveredĀ projects, Michael brings practical knowledge to topics like DFM, prototypeĀ selection, bridge production, and production planning.
David Whitten
David Whitten is a Manufacturing Services Account Manager at Hawk Ridge Systems with a sales background in software and engineering services.Ā Davidās focus is to deliver solutions that bring victories for his customers. āWhen my customer wins, everybody wins!āĀ
Jon Toews
Jon Toews brings more than 20 years of experience across engineering software, manufacturing strategy, and the SOLIDWORKS ecosystem. As SVP of A3D Manufacturing,Ā Jon leads a team that helps customers bring products from concept to production.Ā He brings both strategic perspective and hands-on operational insight to the design-to-production conversation.
Catch Up On Demand
Register for the series to attend live, thenĀ returnĀ here toĀ review or catch up on any sessions you may have missed.Ā Ā
Episode 1 | On Demand
Design for Manufacturing Success
DiscoverĀ how early CAD decisions affect manufacturing cost, lead time, processĀ selection, and production readinessĀ in the first session ofĀ Design. Validate. Scale.
Featuring: Michael Dymond, Jon Toews, and David Whitten
Youāll learn:
- Why manufacturing strategy should start before the quoting stage
- How to think through when to print versus when to machineĀ
- Common DFM mistakes that lead to redesigns, delays, and supplier frictionĀ
EPISODE 2 | ON DEMAND
Choosing the Right Manufacturing Path
Learn how to evaluate manufacturing options based on part requirements, timeline, budget, quantity, and production goalsĀ in theĀ second sessionĀ ofĀ Design. Validate. Scale.
Featuring: Name and Name
Youāll learn:
- How to decide when additive manufacturing, machining, or tooling makes the most sense
- Why quantity, material, tolerance, and timeline should guide the process selection
- How to avoid choosing a manufacturing method too early or too late in development
EPISODE 3 | ON DEMAND
Validating Before You Scale
ReviewĀ what teams should review before moving from prototype to production in the third session of Design. Validate. Scale.
Featuring:Ā
YouāllĀ learn:Ā
- How to identify whether a design is ready for production
- What validation steps help reduce risk before scalingĀ
- How to catch issues that can affect cost, quality, lead time, and repeatabilityĀ
EPISODE 4 | ON DEMAND
Preparing for Production
LearnĀ what teams should consider beforeĀ committing toĀ production tooling or scaling their manufacturing planĀ in theĀ fourth sessionĀ ofĀ Design. Validate. Scale.
Featuring:Ā
YouāllĀ learn:Ā
- How to prepare a design for productionĀ
- What to consider before committing to tooling, materials, and manufacturing processesĀ
- How to reduce risk around repeatability, quality, cost, and lead timeĀ
EPISODE 5 | On DEMAND
Scaling with Confidence
SeeĀ how teamsĀ move from first production runs to repeatable, scalable manufacturingĀ in the final session of Design. Validate. Scale.
Featuring:
YouāllĀ learn:Ā
- How to manage cost, lead time, quality, and supplier strategy as production needs growĀ
- What to watch for when moving from first runs to repeatable productionĀ
- How to make smarter manufacturing decisions as product demand increasesĀ
Bring Your Design to Production
RequestĀ 3D printing orĀ custom manufacturing quotesĀ and getĀ theĀ supportĀ you needĀ to move yourĀ project forward.Ā
