Team Profiles

Nigel Blair B.Eng (Hons) graduated from the Queen's University of Belfast in 1989 with a 2:1 in Mechanical engineering – specialising in engineering design.  Subsequent experience has included:

1989-1995
Six years experience working in mechanical engineering design, mainly related to the exacting quality and safety standards of the oil industry. Work included CAD design using various systems and finite element analysis. This period also involved experience with manufacturing and international customer liaison.

1995-1997
Two years working in marine engineering in Suffolk as well as a period of self-employment providing marine engineering services. This included the complete design and fitting out of electrical and mechanical systems for a prestigious bespoke 62-foot wooden yacht.

1997-2001
Three years plus working as design engineer and latterly as R&D manager with Stanhay Webb involved in state-of-the art design of precision planting machinery for the agricultural industry. As well as CAD design this period included local and overseas customer site visits and liaison; developing the use of IT into design processes and links with Cranfield University.

2001 – 2008
Employed as Technical Director for Minima Design Limited – Responsibility for overseeing the prototyping department and providing technical support for the design team. – Extensive mechanical engineering and 3D CAD design on a range of bespoke engineering projects. Full-time user of Delcam Powermill CAM software and various CNC milling machines - wide range of modelmaking skills. Exposure to all types of rapid prototyping and low volume production methods with links to electronics and software design consultancies.