AI Powered Connect 4 Display

AI Powered Connect 4 Display

Services Utilized: Design Services, Prototype

Connect 4 GP Size

What is it?

The AI-Powered Connect 4 is a functional prototype that allows guests to play the classic game Connect 4 in real life with an artificially intelligent digital opponent. The purpose of the display is twofold: guests get to experience playing against an AI in real life, while our customer can spend a few minutes with them discussing the value proposition that they offer. The game was overwhelmingly successful at the trade show. Our customer had a line of people that extended around all the other booths at the trade show, of people who wanted to challenge the AI. The result of the display was hundreds of leads and wide recognition of the company as leaders in the implementation of AI.

Why show this?

Artificial intelligence is part of our reality today and will be a bigger part of our future moving forward. Most AI implementations exist as text, code, emails, or spoken prompts and work in the background of larger businesses that have a budget to develop such technology. They are essentially using AI as digital robots that take over office workers' duties. Most of the time, the idea is to replace a role with AI such that no one notices the job is being done by AI. This AI was meant to be put on display so that users can see what it does and watch what it is "thinking" via a laptop that shows its code working in real-time to solve the Connect 4 problem. The game is just a medium to show the customer's prospective clients what is possible and, hopefully, stimulate creativity that will lead to new implementations of AI, including hardware. Innovation, in this case, is a combination of some sensors, small motors, with the emerging technology of AI to create a show-stopping experience. At Yates Innovations, we strive to help our customers win. In this case, we made the frame of the unit, machined, fabricated, and 3D printed all the hardware, and assembled the unit. We partnered with Kennedy Engineering to create the electronic circuit boards and programming that integrated the AI with our hardware.

Watch it work!

We tested the prototype at the Midwest RepRap Festival to ensure that it would function correctly and improve the user experience before its intended use at the Convention.

Fabricated Assemblies

Fabricated Assemblies

Services Utilized: Design Services, Prototype

Fabrication GP Size

What is it?

The solar panel cart was designed for 1st Maker Space. The carts will be used as part of a mobile sustainable technology program that can be moved from school to school via a customized enclosed trailer. The purpose of the trailer is to share equipment that is not normally available to students with multiple locations. The goal of this program is to teach students about alternative energy, specifically about solar power. The cart is made of welded steel angle and is strong, yet lightweight at about 25 lbs. The corner brace plates have been fitted with locking casters to make the units easy to move. The support rails in the center of the carts will hold a pair of heavy-duty lead-acid batteries. The batteries act as ballast to keep the cart stable in windy conditions. The vertical stays in the back of the cart have been drilled to accept a plywood working board that will allow mounting of charge controllers, inverters, and test equipment. The carts will give students real hands-on experience with solar energy on a relevant scale. They can take measurements and see that it is truly possible to power real appliances and do real work using solar panels.

Why show this?

Yates Innovations offers a wide range of services, including design, welding, and general fabrication. All of these services were used on this project. We were happy to take our customer's concept and create a functional prototype from it. The result of our effort was a pair of tough Solar Carts that will last a long time and serve many students. We were happy to help with this project because sustainability is important, as is educating our young people about how to implement this technology.

CNC Machined Aluminum Parts

CNC Machined Aluminum Parts

Services Utilized: CNC Machining, Production

CNC Parts GP Size

What is it?

These parts are CNC machined production parts for one of my customers. The customer is a medium-sized business that produces industrial architectural components and assemblies. They came to us with a sketch concept and asked if we could make something like it for them. We worked with the customer to refine the sketch into a dimensioned sketch and created a CAD model along with a few prototypes. The customer was able to test the parts, make changes, and solve their problem. The customer regularly orders this component from us. Some would call this a soup-to-nuts design program. Yates Innovations is honored to be part of their design success and happy to produce the components for a long time to come.

Real Innovation is Hard. We Are Here to Help.

Design, development, and solving production concerns are among the most challenging things that most small to medium-sized businesses have to contend with. In our ever-changing world, innovation and progress are imperative. At Yates Innovations, we pride ourselves on providing a wide range of services that result in success. Many of our customers have previously struggled to find practical design and development services that meet their needs. Some machine shops/fabrication shops will provide engineering services to secure a production contract. However, engineers are not necessarily designers, and they may not understand the customers' needs as well as the aesthetic principles that guide good design. The engineer often provides a quick result that works functionally but does not always meet the customers' design expectations. Proper design firms are often very expensive to employ, and they are not always driven to produce economical or quickly implementable solutions suitable for small or medium-sized businesses. Design firms are often a better fit for product development in large-scale businesses with large budgets and longer timelines. Yates Innovations falls between the engineer and design firm. We are designers with engineering and manufacturing backgrounds, and we understand that aesthetic design is important and people appreciate good design, but it must be implemented in a reasonable, actionable way.

3D Printed Sample

3D Printed Samples

Services Utilized: 3D Printing, Specialized Materials

3D Printing GP Size

What is it?

The samples shown are made from 3D printed SLS (Selective Laser Sintered) Nylon that has been electroplated with several layers of conductive substrate. On top of the conductive substrate, a thin layer of silver or copper has been deposited.

Why show this?

The purpose of the sample is to demonstrate that 3D printed materials and additive manufacturing are not limited to simple or single material plastics or simple shapes. 3D printing offers a vast array of processes and materials, including rubber-like materials, tough plastics, engineering materials, high-resolution options, and even printed metals. Some materials are used for visual/fitment models, while others are suited to complex assemblies, functional parts, and even previously impossible things like the samples above. The limiting factors of 3D printing and printed parts are the current state of material science and the innovative application of those materials. Our team strives to be aware of the latest materials while understanding the limitations of the processes that deposit/create them. While we cannot provide all 3D printed processes in-house, we strive to provide our customers with a wide breadth of material options through our in-house materials and strategic partnerships with other vendors. Our extensive knowledge of materials, processes, and experience in the additive manufacturing industry are among the best in the nation. We look forward to working alongside your team to innovate your ideas into the future.

Ford Spare Tire Lock Plug

Storm Tube Toy

Magnetic Skateboard Lights

Light Shakers

Concept Sketching

CAD Modeling