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The PD&D readers have responded and here are the nominations for the inaugural class of the PD&D Design Engineer Hall of Fame. To vote for your choice, please send up to ten nominees to david.mantey@advantagemedia.com. Thank you for taking the time to help recognize these well-deserving men and women.
Steve Apelman, President, Macro Electronics Corporation/ Klever Products
- Designed the world’s first microprocessor-controlled fuel gauging system for the McDonnell-Douglas DC9-80 and microprocessor-controlled digital weighing scale for Detecto Scales, and lots of other things that people interface with every single day.
- Involved with the design of wind turbines for the past 30 years, including a new vertical axis wind turbine that can generate four times the amount of power as any conventional turbine and actually store unused energy for use at a later time.
- “In today's environment where our leaders talk about innovation in energy research, Steve has been trying for the past five years to get ANYONE in the field to just give him a chance to show them what he has.
David Beach, Professor, Stanford University
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Dr. Forest Bird, Medical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineer, NASA, Percussionaire Corp.
- Among his designs is the Baby Bird respirator that reduced infant mortality rates from over 70 percent to less than 20 percent in premature birth infants.
- He also developed circuits for NASA.
- At 87 years old is working on a home therapy device for COPD patients through his Percussionaire Corp. COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe and gets worse over time.
Gene Bounds, VP of Research and Development, Herzog Contracting Corp
- “I have always been impressed with not only his innovative ideas, but his determination and ability to get those ideas implemented.
- “If you check out all the innovative equipment that Herzog has developed for railroad maintenance, and understand the role that Gene played in getting those innovations successfully implemented in all the major railroads in the U.S., you might agree.”
Dean Callahan, Mechanical Engineer, Callahan Manufacturing
- Designs semi-truck hoists and machinery used by Boeing to move airplane wings during production.
- Operates a hay press that he built for himself (including designing the hydraulics) and regularly creates new farm implements that are often copied by the big guys.
- Within Dean's business empire are innovations that he and his sons have designed, built and improved upon, including fabrication, farming, dairy processing and well drilling.
- His father, Irvin Callahan, invented and patented the first switch plow that allowed a farmer to plow to the end of the field, use hydraulics to switch, or turn his plow over, and plow back in the opposite direction.
Daniel Cardarelli, Software Engineer, Environmental Sensors
- “In my experience, those individuals that separate themselves from the rest of the pack are the ones who can take potential project killing situations and turn it around into a bonafide success. Dan has done this through tenacious hard work and commitment certainly, but also by finding creative solutions to sub-optimal situations.”
- Mentors junior software developers in fostering a team development environment
Ron Chang, Doug Dority, Cepheid
- Invented Cepheid's GeneXpert DNA Testing System—the primary product and success of the company.
- Pushed through the rotary valve microfluidic cartridge/instrument that provides a test platform for many types of molecular diagnostic tests, ranging from hospital-acquired staff infection to anthrax.
- http://www.cepheid.com/systems-and-software/genexpert-system/
Leonardo da Vinci, Renaissance Man Extraordinaire
- One of the most highly regarded architects, engineers, researchers, inventors and humanitarians to ever walk the earth.
- One of his manuscripts from the 1500s relating to an internal combustion engine design was purchased by Bill Gates for $30.8 million.
David Differding, Medical Product Introductions & Enhancements, Medtronic
- Meticulous attention to detail and ability to match problems with the big picture results in products that save lives every day.
Andreas Drollinger, Senior Principal Design Engineer, ON Semiconductor
- Aided in the development of several generations of audio processors for hearing aid applications and has led several complex System-on-Chip (SoC) projects.
- Specializing in digital signal processing and the mapping of high-level digital signal processing algorithms into ultra-low-power programmable DSP architectures led to being the main chip architect and digital designer of the Toccata Plus and Orela series of hearing aid processors.
- He is the “father" of the HEAR accelerator, the crown jewel of ON Semiconductor's latest generation of hearing aid processors. This configurable accelerator is fully programmable with a power efficiency comparable to fixed function processors, while still providing unmatched configurable flexibility.
Tom Gaasenbeek, Memex
- The “Steve Jobs” of the factory floor.
- Combining hardware and software, he leads a team of developers that make high-end technical solutions for the metalworking industry in optimizing CNC controls and processes – connecting machining centers with the front office.
- Ttraveled, written and spoken on the coming “Embedded Universe” that will impact how machines communicate, share information and transform production technologies.
Frank Hild, Director of Technology - Surface Modification Division, TriStar Plastics Corp.
- Frank Hild is one of the foremost authorities on surface modification in the plastics industry.
- As an organic chemist, he has developed many new technologies utilizing plasma energy to functionalize plastics and elastomers.
- His most recent being for the development of Hydrophobic reticulated foam treatment, which creates a lightweight, flexible material suitable for aircraft applications.
Dean Kamen, Founder, DEKA Research & Development Corporation
- “He has done enormous things in the medical field and more recently, has once again demonstrated his genius with the balancing transporter, the Segway. Not only is this an engineering marvel but it sets an example that unique, environmentally friendly transportation is achievable.”
- The Segway PT is an electric, self-balancing human transporter with a complex, computer-controlled gyroscopic stabilization and control system. The device balances on two parallel wheels and is controlled by moving body weight.
- In 1989, Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a robotics competition for high school students.
David Kelly, Professor, Stanford University
- Former Boeing engineer, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2000.
- In 1978 Kelley founded IDEO Product Development. He serves as chief executive officer of the 350-employee company, which has designed more than 3,000 products. He also founded Onset, a venture capital firm, in 1984.
- 2009 Edison Achievement Award winner.
Bruce King, Aerospace Engineer, NASA Contractor
- Associated with behind-the-scenes aerospace innovation for over 30 years.
- Notorious for his ability to fix design problems in his own persistent, low-key approach with simple and practical solutions.
Bob Lipmyer, Developer of Crash Test Dummies, Sensors and Data Acquisition Integration, First Technology Safety Systems
- Signature product is the iDummy, for which he has a patent. The iDummy line is based on the integration of up to 160 channels of data into self-contained DAS modules inside the dummy, eliminating the need for an umbilical cable outside the vehicle. You can see it here: http://www.icrashtech.com/idummy_tech.pdf.
- Described as a great mentor and extremely creative both in his role at FTSS and in his activities outside the company.
Larry Maier, Electrical & Systems Engineer, Goodrich
- Projects he has worked on in the past 30+ years include the space shuttle fuel monitoring system and Boeing 747 fuel monitoring and management system.
- Currently involved in six different data concentrator boxes, including the Fuel Quantity Indication System that Goodrich is producing for the new Boeing 787.
- Described as a mentor, idea generator and a master at modeling systems with a deep, fundamental understanding of electronic principles and engineering practices.
Kiet Ngo, Electrical Engineer & Partner, OES, Inc.
- Fled Vietnam as a boat refugee at the age of 16 in becoming a recognized innovator within the field of process variation monitoring, where he has obtained various patents.
- His pioneering technologies place emphasis on refining and improving the manufacturing process itself. This proactive methodology focuses on preventing errors, rather than detecting them. OES’s approach measures the actual energy applied to the end product by monitoring the micro-strain experienced by the machine as it is in the process of forming, shaping or fastening. This allows for allows the continuous improvement of quality through process improvement, while reducing unnecessary costs from scrap and/or downtime.
- Most recently Kiet has developed a patent pending sensing technology to enhance the monitoring capability for new wire harness applications in response to the industry trend towards smaller gauge conductors.
Jon Pope, Construction Equipment Designer, Pope Design
- Globally recognized for revolutionary designs.
- “They work with the top names in the industry and I would be honored to someday work with them.”
James Qu, Electronics Engineer, ANOISON ELECTRONICS, LTD.
- Recently designed the patented Quick Lock family of RF coaxial connectors.
- A long legacy of innovation in the connector marketplace.
Jeff and Barbara Robinson
- “Invented the first new saw blade in 25 years.” The Arcus Blade cuts in circles instead of straight lines, using a circular saw. The contoured design of the blade cuts at the same speed as a straight cut because the cutting teeth are still in a perpendicular line to the cutting surface.
Johnny Schultz, Software Engineer, L-3 Communications, Aviation Recorder Division
- A pioneer of the AIS (Automatic Identification System), which has become an essential element in fulfilling the MTSA (Marine Transportation Security Act) by the United States Coast Guard and by maritime safety organizations around the world.
- All ships that navigate internationally are required to carry this system, and all shore authorities are required to install infrastructure to support it in safety tracking maritime vessels.
Edmund Schweitzer III, Electrical Engineer
- Designs innovative solutions for power systems worldwide.
- He holds a number of patents, with the first product he designed in 1984 still being smart grid compatible.
Joe & Ed Tetley, Old School Taste Engineers, Tetley Tea
- “Although they may not have an engineering degree from a prestigious university, they engineered a higher quality of life for me.”
- Have been producing high-quality tea products for over 160 years.
Gary Treadwell, Chief Engineer, Beswick
- Described as unassuming, eager to help all who come to him for advice and a great teacher.
- Involved in the design of the award-winning PRD2 two-stage pressure regulator.
- Often helps solve Beswick IT issues, computer hardware problem and application engineering challenges, as well as oversee manufacturing engineering and up-grades to our manufacturing facility. It appears to many at Beswick that there is no subject he doesn't understand.
Ted Zlotek, Aerospace Engineer, Formsprag Clutch
- Zlotek began his career at a time when helicopters were first proving their worth as transport and medivac rotorcraft during the Korean War. Helicopters were in their infancy, and Zlotek was quick to react by modifying automotive clutch designs for improved functionality in a helicopter drivetrain.
- He registered his first patent in June, 1959, for a retainer in a “one-way clutch” that ensured simultaneous and equal roll in carrying the torque load. In 1994, he registered his 19th patent for a retainer with rotational restraint.
- At 90 years young he still works five days a week.
*E-mail david.mantey@advantagemedia.com to send in additional information on the nominees or nominate another individual.