Meet the Designer of the EZ Breaker Roller Chain Breaker
Hello, I'm Ken Smith, the designer and inventor of the EZ Breaker roller chain breaker tool, and owner of Smith Craft Products. In this first blog post, I would like to introduce myself, tell a short history of my design career, and give you some highlights of how and why I invented the EZ Breaker® Chain Breaker and the EZ Counter® link counting tools and accessories.
Ancient History
As far back as I can remember, I have been interested in mechanical stuff. I have modified or rebuilt several motorcycles, cars, and boats since I was a teenager. Engineering as a career was an easy choice. I graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Engineering Design Background
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Engineering Career
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Design of Mechanical Components
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ASME B29 Chain Committee Member
Right out of college, I began my engineering career with a major elevator and escalator company. I enjoyed designing escalators and moving walks, designing components, and participating in installation and service systems for these machines. These designs enabled me to receive two international patents for new escalator component designs. It sparked my appetite for designing!
After several years designing escalators and moving walks, I became interested in designing chains for these machines. I went on to manage the product engineering department for the largest chain manufacturing company in North America.
Designing and testing these various types of chains led me to become a member of the ASME B29 Chain Committee, helping to write the chain standards for the United States. Moving into a new position as Product Manager, I soon became responsible for all of the chain and sprockets the company produced, as well as sales and marketing duties for these products. I also provided engineering expertise for a start-up sprocket manufacturing facility.
The EZ Breaker Chain Breaker Idea
Prototypes
While working as a product manager, it became obvious that the chain industry needed a way to easily break roller chain. I began work on my invention, the EZ Breaker® roller chain breaker and EZ Counter® tools. Soon, the EZ Breaker was granted a patent and we began selling to agricultural outlets and demo-ing them at ag shows throughout the United States.
The Finished Product
The EZ Breaker® tools became very popular in that industry and soon after, I began selling them in my online store, Smith Craft Products. Today, you can find a full line of EZ Breaker base units, the EZ Counter, die sets to fit almost all commonly used chains, and even a Mini EZ Breaker that can be used in small-space operations.
Goals
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Complete Customer Satisfaction with our Products
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Durable Products
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Awesome Customer Experience
Customer Satisfaction
The most important goal of Smith Craft Products is to provide you, our customer, with the best customer service.
Durable Products
Our products are proudly designed, manufactured, and assembled in the United States of America. We guarantee they are durable products that will last a lifetime.
Customer Experience with the EZ Breaker Chain Breaker Products
We also provide a comfortable and professional buying experience at Smith Craft Products. All of these goals have been created in the best interests of our customers.
I believe that you should know what you are buying and I will provide information on all of the products offered on our website in future blog posts.
Thank You!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for reading this first blog post; I hope you have enjoyed getting to know the person behind the products.