Kotatsu Design & Development Inc.
FEA for the Small Shop: Demystifying Simulation Without the Six-Figure Budget
Finite Element Analysis doesn’t have to be expensive or intimidating. A practical look at how small shops and solo engineers can use FEA as a design tool — not a checkbox.
AI on a $5 Chip: Why Purpose-Built Intelligence Beats Generalist Chatbots
Not all AI lives in the cloud. A practical look at embedded models, TinyML, and why small, focused intelligence often beats massive general-purpose systems.
The Invisible Spaghetti: Why Wire Routing Is the Last Thing You Model and the First Thing to Fail
Wires aren’t lines in CAD — they have stiffness, volume, and bad habits. Why ignoring cable routing quietly kills otherwise good designs.
Why Rubber Colour Is More Than Cosmetic: Carbon Black vs. Mineral Fillers
Same-looking rubber parts can behave wildly differently. Why filler choice — not hardness — controls fatigue life.
Design for Assemblability: Thinking in Hands, Not Parts
CAD assumes perfect conditions. Real-world assembly doesn’t. How small design decisions shape build quality.
The Hidden Value of Terrible Prototypes
Why ugly, fast prototypes often teach more than polished ones — and how learning early beats fixing late.
Buses: The Hidden Language of Microprocessors (and Why SPI Is My Favourite)
GPIO, UART, I²C, SPI — how each bus changes the way you prototype.
Why GD&T Is as Much a Design Tool as It Is a Tolerancing System
GD&T isn’t just for inspection — it’s a functional design tool that forces clarity and intent.
Why Early Prototypes Save You Late Regrets
Prototyping early reduces risk and accelerates learning.
Coming Soon
- Prototype the Interface, Not the Room
- Designing Warmth: Lessons from the Kotatsu
- From Sketch to Prototype: A Roadmap for Makers