FAQ's  

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q. Why is your business called Spontaneous Materials?

 

A. I was trying to find a name connected to all my areas of expertise and to convey the sense of unfettered speed. Of course in magnetism there is spontaneous magnetization, the external manifestation of the natural internal cooperative force. I like that.

 

 Effective May 9, 2007, "Spontaneous Materials" is a Registered Trademark.

 

Q. Aren’t consultants expensive?

 

A. If you consider just an hourly or daily rate, I suppose they might look expensive if you compare that figure to the hourly rate of a fulltime employee. But that comparison overlooks a leading reason for hiring a consultant. Because of their expertise and lack of distractions, a consultant can usually finish a job faster. The total cost of a consultant is usually a small fraction of the cost of a fulltime employee and typically just a few percent of the total cost of a project. And of course, the value of a consultant should outweigh their cost. A related article, The On-Demand Engineer continues the discussion on the advantages of using consultants. For information about typical rates charged by technical consultants, see IEEE-USA Consultants Profile.

 

Q. How do you bill your time?

 

A. Unless we have a specific agreement that states otherwise, any time I spend working on your problem or project is billable, including time on the telephone.

 

Q. I would like to use a picture or other content from your website in a presentation or other publication, how do I go about it?

 

A. All the content on this site is copyrighted. You need to obtain permission to use anything found here. Click here to submit a request. Generally, I say yes to most requests. However, I am firm in insisting that any content taken from this site must clearly show Spontaneous Materials as the source, no exceptions.

 

Q. I don’t know very much about magnetic materials and need to learn about them for a project I’m doing. How can Spontaneous Materials help?

 

A. With a fairly straightforward process that I have used to train many people in magnetics. After establishing what you need to learn and your background, I create a seminar or class to address your specific needs, along with the appropriate reading and reference materials. This process requires very little time on your part, perhaps a day or two, depending on your needs. I guarantee that you cannot get up to speed faster on your own. click here to see a sample outline

 

Q. I have a lot of information but don’t have it down on paper in an organized way. How can Spontaneous Materials help?

 

A. A report, data sheet, application bulletin or presentation is closer than you think. Give us the data and an idea of what you would like the final product to look like. You will be happy with the results.

 

Q. We have a quality problem with our current magnet supplier, is there anything Spontaneous Materials can do to help?

 

A. Yes. There are two specific areas to explore. First, I can review the data with you, to be sure we all understand what is happening. Second, I can audit the magnet supplier, to be sure the supplier's process will deliver the magnets you need consistently.

 

Q. I am considering an investment in a factory that makes rare earths or magnets, what can Spontaneous Materials do to help?

 

A. Before making a large investment, it is wise to have it reviewed by someone familiar with the both the technical and commercial sides of the business; we can do that for you. First we review the technical information and audit the facility to be sure that the materials can be sold globally. Then we can analyze the market to determine potential business opportunities. When we are done, you should have a clear picture of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of your candidate business and industry it serves.

 

Q. We have a web site, but it doesn't seem to get the traffic or generate the inquiries that we expected. Is there anything Spontaneous Materials can do?

 

A. Yes. I have learned quite a bit about web sites in managing my own. A review of your site will highlight any problems with content, search words, navigation, etc. Often traffic can be improved significantly with very little time and effort.

 

Q. I have been approached by an inventor, who has a new device that uses magnets. Can Spontaneous Materials help me decide if this is a good investment opportunity?

 

A. Yes. There are many new ideas for devices that contain magnets. Some are patentable or already patented. But obtaining a patent is no guarantee of commercial success. Let us review the particulars for you before you invest.

 

Q. Help! My son or daughter is trying to make an electromagnet for their Science Fair presentation.

 

A. Click here to see our description of how to make an electromagnet with common materials. Good luck!

 

Q. NEW What time is it in Indiana?

 

A. This is a question that causes confusion and may even start an argument. We live in Hamilton County which is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone (GMT-5 hours) and observe daylight saving time. Click here for the official map from the State of Indiana.

 

Q. Do you really work in Fishers, Indiana?

 

A. Yes, isn't it ironic to be the Trout's of Fishers?

 

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