Brian-Huff-is-Blending-Art-and-Mechatronics-at-RVC.php

Brian Huff is Blending Arts and Mechatronics at RVC

• Students
• 12/16/2024

Brian Huff worked professionally as an actor for 9 years and considered pursuing a supplemental career after the pandemic

When he and his wife decided to return to Rockford, Rock Valley College was close to their new home. His wife was an alumnus, and the price was right, so he decided to pursue classes at the Advanced Technology Center in Belvidere.

Brian is currently studying in RVC's Mechatronics program. He has the fundamentals certificate and is considering the Associate of Applied Science.  Brian always liked to tinker with electronics and fix things, and he's an avid 3D printing enthusiast.  Around 2022, he got several freelance jobs building custom props and electronic effects for different clients (theatres, cosplayers, etc.). Still, he felt limited by his electronic and mechanical design knowledge.  Mechatronics seemed a good fit as classes cover electrical, mechanical, CAD design, pneumatics, programming, and robotics.

"I really enjoy making things from scratch, so for my final Robotics project I volunteered to design the end of arm tooling for the robot," said Brian.  "It was a simple clamp that held a silicone mold in place, but I designed print-in-place hinges that didn't need to be assembled.  I like 3D printing objects that someone else has designed, but fabricating a thing that I've designed myself is much more rewarding."

Brian returned to RVC this semester after getting the fundamental certificate because of the teachers' encouragement and support. He feels the curriculum is good, but his learning has come from asking good questions and receiving good answers. He was worried that people might think it was odd that he was an artist trying to learn more about engineering, fabrication, and manufacturing. Still, most students he's talked to have seen it pretty positively.

Brian is a high caliber student, with great drive, initiative, and attention to detail,” said Professor Norb Ziemer.  “Mr. Huff has also shared some of his insights with me and with students in my other classes (e.g. MET Capstone, Materials and Processes).”

One of his most significant leaps for Brian is in the electrical systems classes. He has taken principles he's learned in class and applied them directly to projects he's made for clients, primarily designing simple logic systems. The graphics class was also beneficial, as it teaches many basic mechanical designs that can be applied to anything 3D printed or molded and cast in resin.

"Brian is a leader, an innovator, and an entrepreneur,” said Mr. Ziemer. “Brian currently runs a business and is studying Mechatronics to improve his production processes in his entrepreneurial venture."

Brian is keeping an open mind about his future career.  He wouldn't mind getting a full time in manufacturing if he could do some CAD design, PLC programming, or work with Robots. However, his true passion is still in arts and entertainment.

"I'm a big Adam Savage fan, so I'd love to build cool things for theme parks or movies, or at least find good work flexible enough to continue that nomadic journey."