In Honor of Nathan A. Chiantella, FSME, CMfgE, Retired Executive, IBM
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Yong Chen, PhD
Assistant Professor
University of Southern California
Los Angeles |
Yong Chen is an assistant professor in the Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Southern California, where he teaches both undergraduate and graduate students, and among other duties, conducts collaborative research with industrial and academic partners. Chen's most recent research includes improving part accuracy, process speed and automation of stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS) and multijet printing processes from 3D Systems, which are widely used in the rapid prototyping industry. He has written or coauthored 30 publications. His work also has extended to the business world, where he developed new geometric modeling and reasoning systems, algorithms and software tools for digital manufacturing. Among his many accomplishments, Chen holds a U.S. patent, with another one pending, in rapid prototyping and manufacturing. He is also one of the principal contributors to the latest developments of the low-cost V-Flash desktop modeler.
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Paul Faughnan
Staff Engineer
Pratt & Whitney
Hartford, Conn. |
Paul Faughnan is a staff engineer in the Strategic Manufacturing Processes Group at Pratt & Whitney. His main engineering focus is developing and integrating new and emerging technologies into the production of gas-turbine engine parts. At Pratt & Whitney, Faughnan serves as both project leader and machining research engineer for several programs designed to lower production costs, increase quality as well as repair major rotating engine parts through conventional and super-abrasive machining. He holds a BS in mechanical engineering and a MS in production & operations management, both from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
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Hussein Kalaoui
Project Engineer
ArvinMeritor Commercial Vehicle Systems
Troy, Mich. |
Hussein Kalaoui is currently a project engineer at ArvinMeritor. Since joining its commercial vehicle systems division in 2004, he has focused on developing new approaches to heavy axle design and manufacturing. Most notably, Kalaoui made instrumental contributions to the development of the industry's first laser welding process for manufacturing commercial vehicle differentials. Prior to this, Kalaoui was part of the new product development group at Lamb Technicon Machining Systems, where he worked on developing the next generation of machining centers for automotive and aerospace applications. In recognition of his accomplishments, Kalaoui was honored with ArvinMeritor's Innovation and Achievement Award. He is also a named inventor on three issued and pending patents relating to both heavy axle manufacturing and machine tool design.
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Kristin Meliska
Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Air Movement Product Division
Greenheck Fan Corp.
Schofield, Wis. |
Kristin Meliska is currently the manufacturing engineering manager for the Air Movement Product Division at Greenheck Fan Corp. After a successful internship, Meliska was offered a permanent position with the company after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a BS in manufacturing engineering. She joined the company when it was first beginning its lean journey and was soon promoted to production manager. As a leader in lean manufacturing, Meliska has eliminated inefficiencies and led or participated in nearly 60 kaizen events. Among her many lean manufacturing achievements is a champion project, which led to a lead-time reduction of 75 percent and a 20 percent increase in productivity. Overall, this project resulted in a 25 percent increase in sales without new plant or facility construction.
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Brock Strunk
Structures Engineer
Spirit Aerosystems
Wichita, Kan. |
Brock Strunk is currently a structures engineer at Spirit Aerosystems. Prior to joining Spirit, he was a lead engineer at Adam Aircraft and a senior structures engineer at Columbia Aircraft. At Adam Aircraft, he directed a team of engineers and manufacturing technicians who worked to improve the aircrafts' fuselage manufacturing process time and reduce the part's weight. Strunk has also developed numerous composite repair techniques and structural testing procedures for aircraft structures for both Adam and Columbia Aircraft. During his tenure at Columbia Aircraft, he played a key role in helping the company certify its 300, 350 and 400 aircraft with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. Strunk earned a BS in manufacturing engineering and mechanical engineering from the Oregon Institute of Technology.