Caleb shares the origin of his company—from a challenging VR motion rig project to a rapidly growing fabrication platform—and explains how Oshkut is uniquely designed for high-mix, low-volume manufacturing. This makes it an ideal partner for student teams working on one-off parts and rapid prototypes.

The conversation dives into how Oshkut supports hundreds of university teams, including those competing in Formula SAE and Baja SAE, offering discounted services and tools that make advanced manufacturing more accessible than ever.

Listeners will also gain practical advice on designing for sheet metal, avoiding common CAD mistakes, optimizing lead times, and leveraging modern fabrication workflows to accelerate development cycles.

If you're a student engineer, team member, or educator looking to push your build further—this episode is a must-listen.

Oshcut Academic Sponsorship: https://www.oshcut.com/academic-sponsorships

Dr. Shapton takes listeners back to the early 1970s, when experimental design competitions like REV 73–75 laid the groundwork for what would become Baja SAE. He explains why traditional senior design programs needed change, how building and testing real vehicles reshaped engineering education, and how student competition became the catalyst for deeper learning.

The conversation covers the practical challenges of launching the first events, including keeping costs low, securing industry support, and organizing competitions that schools could realistically enter. Dr. Shapton also shares memorable stories from early Baja events—from desert riverbeds and motocross tracks to nationwide expansion and international participation.

This episode explores how Baja SAE influenced accreditation standards, strengthened ties between students and professional engineers, and helped inspire other collegiate competitions such as Formula SAE and Supermileage. It’s a reflective look at how a student-focused idea evolved into a global program that continues to prepare engineers for real-world problem solving.

Whether you’re a current competitor, an alumnus, or simply curious about the origins of collegiate engineering competitions, this episode offers rare insight into the history, impact, and legacy of Baja SAE.

Topics Covered:

Driver training and selection process
Upcoming Baja SAE competitions and favorite events
The journey of designing and manufacturing a new race car
Team dynamics and the importance of teamwork
Support from the University of Michigan and College of Engineering
Recruiting new team members and passing down knowledge
Competing against rival teams and valuable lessons learned

Tune in for a fascinating look into the world of Baja SAE and the dedication required to excel in these competitions. Whether you're an engineering student, a Baja enthusiast, or curious about the behind-the-scenes efforts of a race car team, this episode is packed with insights and stories that you won't want to miss.