Often during my classes, I like to think about how concepts may be applied to real world scenarios that are meaningful to me. This section highlights some of the personal projects, hobbies, and other activities I have done that have been instrumental in my academic journey.
This is a personal project I did for my 1980 GMC C30 truck. The truck has been lowered and suspension modified. When I did the work using parts supplied by an aftermarket company the design wanted me to eliminate the OEM rear sway bar and extend the shock mounts. I did not like either of these ideas so I invented a steel plate that would integrally locate the axle on the spring, while also giving a provision to mount the factory rear sway bar and relocate the shock mounts, all in one piece. I modeled the parts in Autodesk Inventor and hope to 3D print the assembly on a 1/20 scale using hardware store parts for final assembly.
This is an example of a prototype that I would like to present to the automotive aftermarket, and what I hope to patent in the future as part of my own company that will focus on modeling and helping owners design and produce what they envision. Once the model is complete they can use the file in whatever production process they want. Probably a CNC machine shop for important engine parts, or a 3D printer for a composite interior part.
Assembly1.pdffretwater.net Is a collection of over 100 short stories, essays, and blogs compiled over my 20 year career as a Federal Park Ranger where I worked on the Green River in Utah. All of the writing in this collection is self taught and although many mistakes are present I learned a lot about writing and about myself. I am purposefully leaving the work as it is to remember how far I have come in the process of education.
