Conveyors, Lifts, and Material Handling Expert

Curriculum Vitae

Credentials

• Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering, (MSME), 1990
  Specialization: Computer Aided Design of Engineering Systems
  Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
• Master of Business Administration (MBA), 2000
  Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
• Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering Technology, 1983
  Professional Specialization Certificate – Microprocessor Programming
  Professional Specialization Certificate – Computer Aided Analysis
  Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee, WI
• Associate of Science, Mechanical Design Technology, 1978
  North Central Technical Institute, Wausau, WI
• Registered Professional Engineer (PE)
  Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Washington, Missouri, Michigan, Wyoming, Texas
• Board Certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer (DFE), 2014 to Present
  National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE)

Professional Experience

Owner, Consultant, and Expert Witness, Webster Engineering, LLC, 2011 - Present

Providing mechanical engineering analysis, consulting, and expert witness services to attorneys in cases of personal injury, product liability, and patents regarding issues such as:

• Conveyor design and safety
• Material handling systems and processes
• Material lifts and lifting systems
• Machine design, safety, and failure
• Hydraulics and hydraulic lifting systems
• Elevators
• Patents

Vice President of Engineering, Pflow Industries, Inc., 1985 - 2020

Recipient of the Wisconsin Governors New Product Development Award twice for two of my designs.
Design and manufacture of:

• Conveyor systems
• Lifting systems
• Custom engineered material handling systems
• Industrial machinery and controls
• Industry leader in Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors
• Automated vehicle parking lifts, display lifts, and storage lifts

ASME Codes & Standards Activity

• ANSI/ASME B20.1 "Safety Standards for Conveyors and Related Equipment" committee. Current Chair, Vice Chair 2010-2013. Member since 2002.
• ASME Material Handling Engineering Division Executive Committee. Chair 2013-2015. Vice Chair 2012-2013.
• ANSI/ASME A17.1 Safety Standards for Elevators. Dumbwaiter and ATD Committee. Member since 2023
• ASME Board on Safety Codes and Standards. Chair 2015-2021. Vice Chair 2015-2018. Member since 2011.
• ASME Board on Codes and Standards Operations. Member 2018-2021.
• ASME Council on Standards and Certification. Member 2018-2021.
• ASME Manufacturing Technical Group Operating Board. Alternate Member 2012-2013.
• ASME Safety Codes and Standards Awards Committee. Chair 2016 – 2018.
• ASME Task Force on the Review of the "Examples of Use for Mechanical Engineering Students" Brochure. Member since 2011.
• ASME Nominating Committee. Member 2017-2019.

Other Professional Association Membership and Standards Activity

• American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)
• Advisory Board, Member since 2022
• Standards Development Committee, Member since 2023
• ANSI/ASSP A10 Construction and Demolition Operations Committee, Alternate Member since 2023
• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
• ASTM E58 Forensic Engineering Committee, Member since 2019
• National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
• Wisconsin Society of Professional Engineers (WSPE)
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
• National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE)
• American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
• Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA)

Continuing Education and Training

• Forensic Engineering Training, Various Topics, National Academy of Forensic Engineers, 2015-2023 (145 hours)
• SolidWorks Simulation and Motion Software Training, 2014 (16 hours)
• Autodesk Mechanical Event Simulation Software Training, 2006 (16 hours)
• Patent Litigation Training (SEAK), 2017 (16 hours)

Patents

• US 5,908,088 Hydraulic Drive (Material Handling Lift)
• US 6,820,295 Support Leg Apparatus (Dock Leveler Safety)
• US 6,896,125 Belt Attachment Method (Continuous Vertical Conveyor/Material Lift)
• US 7,131,532 Belt Attachment Method (Continuous Vertical Conveyor/Material Lift)
• US 7,453,358 Shopping Cart Lift with Gated Access (Conveyor Safety)
• US 7,779,992 Shopping Cart Conveyor with Pivoting Lug (Conveyor Drive)
• US 7,931,136 Jam Sensor for Shopping Cart Conveyor (Conveyor Safety)
• US 8,075,237 Multi-Level Vehicle Lift (Automotive Display Lift)
• US 8,328,003 Shopping Cart Conveyor with Gate Assembly (Conveyor Safety)
• US 9,517,845 Moveable Personnel Platform for Unloading a Unit Load Device (Material Handling)
• US 9,598,242 Moving Work Surface (Assembly Line Conveyor System)
• US 10,183,840 System for Chain Chordal Action Suppression (Vertical Conveyor/Material Lift)
• US 10,913,635 System for Chain Chordal Action Suppression (Vertical Conveyor/Material Lift)
• US 11,059,678 Barrel Elevator Including Shielded Actuation Mechanisms (Conveyor/Lift)
• US 11,345,576 Hinged Carriage Deck for Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor (Vertical Conveyor/Material Lift)
• CA 2,880,976 Moving Work Surface (Assembly Line Conveyor System)

Publications

• "Technical Reference Manual for Conveyors and Lifting Systems," for Pflow Industries, 2022.
• "Dynamic Motion Simulation: Application in Forensic Engineering," Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, June 2019.
• Quoted in "Unique Lift System Enables Installation and Servicing of Large Telescope Mirrors," Motion Design, October 2018.
• Quoted in "Moving-floor assembly line streamlines production of farm equipment," Design World, December 2015.
• "Recreational Vehicle Storage Lift" (Servo-Hydraulic Lift Drive System), Elevator World Magazine, March 2003.

Presentations

• "VRC Drive Design", Webinar, February 23, 2023
• "High Speed Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors", Webinar, January 19, 2023
• "Servo-Hydraulic Case Studies", Webinar, November 29, 2022
• "Components and Circuits for Hydraulic Lifting Systems", Webinar, May 19, 2022
• "Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors – Operational and Dynamic Forces and Effects," Webinar, July 21, 2021.
• "Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors – Application and Design of Deck Locks and Maintenance Pins," Webinar, July 8, 2021.
• "Beyond B20.1 – Additional Safety Standards and Industry Guidelines for Conveyors and Conveyor Systems," Webinar, June 21, 2021.
• "ASME B20.1 Safety Standards for Conveyors and Related Equipment," Webinar, December 3, 2020.
• "An Introduction to Forensic Engineering with Case Studies" presented at the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers' annual conference, July 19, 2018. Personal injury/product liability case studies involving a hydraulic dock lift and an aerial lift.