CNCROi.com Volume V: Think it, Build it, Sell it! ~DONE

I’m done editing the 500 page proof of my latest book, CNCROi.com Volume V: Think it, Build it, Sell it!

As with all my previous books, they are all printed on-demand and available digitally from my website. Amazon sells a few books here and there but by far I sell the most on my own land, CNCKing.com. Now that the book is done, I will be posting a link here on CNCROi.com to buy and download the digital copy on CNCKing.com sometime next week.

If you are wondering what is in the book, here is the full index.

Since the Last Volume

>> INDUSTRY INSIGHT

• CNC Laser Material Database
• CNC Laser: 10 Fire Prevention Tips
• Made in China: CNC Machine Game Changer
• Ryan Patterson, Getting the Most out of your Bits
• Alain Albert, CNC Routers: Justifying Ownership Costs
• Jig Tips

Interviews (alphabetical)

• Mike Dean, Founder of Epilog Laser
• Paul Mason, Owner of Millennium Laser Systems
• Andreas Penz, CEO of Trotec Laser
• Ken Susnjara, CEO of Thermwood Corporation

>> ENTREPRENEURSHIP

• Jumping into Entrepreneurship
• Avoiding CNC Shop Loses
• Don’t Build on Rented Land
• Optimal Tradeshow ROI
• Networking for Dollar$
• Marketing despite NDAs

Interviews (alphabetical)

• Ken Cooley, President of ShapeMaster Inc.
• Scot Farley, Principal Designer at F3 Industrial Design
• Dr. Henri-Jacques Topf, Owner of Schneider Prototyping

>> DESIGN

• My Argument for Design Relativism
• Laser & Router Projects
• Bird House D
• Bird House E
• Bootilicious Shoeholder
• Croc Box
• Kangaroo Laptop Stand
• Kangaroo Shelf
• Spinning Geared Box
• Sydney Harbor Bridge (Laser to Router)
• Wooden Big Wheels (Design to Press)

3D Printer Projects

• Castle Walls (Simple)
• Castle Walls B
• Cog Pen Holder
• Pill Box
• Vase
• Weaved Basket

Interviews (alphabetical)

• Michelle Aryani, Product and Toy Designer
• Pak Hei (Kade) Chan, Origami Designer
• Daphne Flynn, Director at Philips Design
• Brendon Vetuskey, Design Manager at Mattel Inc.

>> FUNDING

• Intro
• “FREE!” Marketing Strategies for Designers

Interviews (alphabetical)

• Philippe Guglielmetti, CEO of Zeepro
• David Hartkop, Founder of MiniMetalMaker

>> PROTECTION & PROFITS

• Intro
• Paul Akers, Founder of FastCap
• Tim Bourke, CEO of Just Right Products
• Anthony Santangelo, Esq., Inventor and Patent Attorney
• William Seidel, CEO of America Invents

As you can see, it’s a heavy broad section of industry leaders across the manufacturing spectrum, these are only a few of the people I’ve had the pleasure to get into contact with through my journey of self-education that led me to getting into the CNC industry making custom designs for companies around the world.

There are SO MANY ASPECTS of this industry that require a deep understanding of things from patent law to managing employees across the world that I decided early on that I’d need some interviews to help augment and increase the knowledge that I don’t have. I learned as much writing and interviewing for this book as you will, and that’s a fantastic thing!

Volume 6!

Although I really don’t have any timeline set in stone, generally, if the past is any consult, volume 6 should be out in about two years, I’ve already started on it very slightly. Who knows where I will be at that time, just compare this to my very first volume and you’ll see how massive the progression of my skills and knowledge has become. I’ve been writing since 2008 and wow, even I’m astonished at how much I got done considering I knew next to nothing about the industry. I had no CNC machine, never touched one… just taught myself how to design for them with no formal knowledge or expertise and just kept at it, year after year and soon, hopefully, decade after decade.

It feels great to finally have this volume finished, it has been a MASSIVE undertaking, by far the most challenging book I’ve put together and yet, I feel I left so much out… interviews I’m unable to score due to timing or influence (there are some VERY big hitters in the industry who still won’t give me the time of day in the CNC industrial sector). As I continue to prove myself, build my customer base and establish more and more connections, I’ll get to where I want to be.

Like I tell people during networking events, I go to a lot of these btw, my focus with CNCROi.com is to grow with robots, not people. Robots do as they are told, don’t ask for coffee breaks but most importantly, are a constant source of challenge for me. When I get a plasma cutter etc… there is a whole new world of opportunity opened up to me and my customers. I have friends with industrial CNC lasers, industrial CNC routers and the list goes on, but for me, the fun is having the machine, finding out how to design optimally for it and then finding a way to generate money from it.

It’s quite a contrast from my earlier self where the focus was purely on design, regardless of production costs, now that I’m “in” the industry, design is balanced with production and timelines… though, I still very much spend time making my own stuff that would cost a fortune to do if a customer asked me to do it.

I really love this sign, look forward to designing a whole bunch more awesome signs in the future, among many other things.