S6E22 Dean Odell | Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T)

Being an Engineer

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Aaron Moncur sits down with Dean Odell, a distinguished mechanical engineering instructor and YouTube educator, to explore the fascinating world of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T). Dean shares his journey from a welder to an engineering instructor, discusses the importance of GD&T in manufacturing, and reveals insights from his popular YouTube channel, dedicated to technical education.

Main Topics:

• Origins and evolution of GD&T
• Common misconceptions about geometric tolerancing
• Practical applications in engineering and manufacturing
• Dean's approach to teaching technical concepts
• The importance of understanding design intent
• Inspection techniques and measurement tools

About the guest: R. Dean Odell is a distinguished mechanical engineering educator and consultant, specializing in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) technologies. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology from SUNY Polytechnic Institute and an A.A.S. from Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC), where he currently teaches courses in GD&T, CAD, CMM, metallurgy, and robotics as an assistant professor.

Dean is also a prominent online educator with over 32,000 YouTube subscribers, offering tutorials on GD&T, CMM operation, print reading, and metallurgy. Beyond academia, he conducts in-person training across the United States, particularly in GD&T and Zeiss CMM, known for his clear and hands-on teaching style. His work reflects a strong dedication to advancing precision manufacturing and engineering education.

Links:

Dean Odell - LinkedIn

Website

YouTube

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Chapters

1. Dean Odell's Background and Career Journey (00:00:00)

2. Challenges and Misconceptions in GD&T (00:02:54)

3. The Evolution and Simplification of GD&T (00:06:29)

4. Dean Odell's YouTube Channel (00:07:30)

5. Common Misconceptions and Importance of GD&T (00:13:44)

6. Teaching Methods and Tools for GD&T (00:16:21)

7. Dean's Contributions to Engineering Education (00:21:46)

8. Future Plans and PDX Event (00:22:26)