1990 to

(Undisclosed)

Independent Consultant

Expert offers problem-solving, process control, process development, and training services to the metal finishing industry.

1983 to 1990

Rogers Corporation

R&D, Special Projects

Senior Development Engineer

He worked on microwave materials/process development on PTFE microwave circuit materials, customer technical assistance in areas of failure analysis, analytical work, and circuit fabrication. Failure analysis and analytical techniques included optical & SEM microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray, thermal analysis, and liquid chromatography. He worked on all aspects of circuit fabrication on PTFE laminates with emphasis on wet processes (etching, electroless & electroplating).

1975 to 1983

Rogers Corp.

R&D, Engineering Plastics

Sr. Development Engineer

Expert worked on the development of an accelerated heat-aging test for phenolic molding compounds, the characterization of physical and chemical properties of phenolic resins and engineered grade phenolic molding compounds, and worked with the materials/process development of a phenolic/fiber based "matrix" product used in flexographic printing.

1970 to 1975

Rogers Corp.

R&D, Printing Products Development

Development Engineer

He worked on coil and sheet anodizing, sealing, conversion coatings, and other aluminum surface passivation treatments for lithographic printing plates.

1960 to 1970

Olin Corporation

Metals Research Lab

Development Engineer

Expert worked on anodizing, dyeing, and sealing for automotive trim and decorative / architectural uses. Other areas of work were corrosion resistance studies, basic research into oxide formation and sealing mechanisms (radio tracer studies) of anodized aluminum, development of electrolyte for integral color architectural anodizing, and electroplating on aluminum and copper alloys.

1959 to 1960

Litho Chemical & Supply Company

Research and Development

Research Chemist

He worked on passivation treatments, anodizing, and conversion. He also worked on coatings for passivating aluminum surfaces for lithographic printing plates.

1954 to 1960

Sylvania Corning Nuclear Corporation

Process Control Lab

Laboratory Technician

Expert worked on nickel plating process control and chemical analysis. He also worked on the development of an electroless nickel on aluminum process.

1953 to 1954

Vulcan Rubber Products Company

Development Lab

Lab Tech

He worked on the preparation of experimental rubber compounds for rubber coated fabrics.

• Expert was asked to solve an etching and plating problem at a flex circuit manufacturer. The problems were very thin shorts between lines (unetched out copper) and unplated areas on lines in subsequent nickel / gold plating. Many defect parts were examined by microscope.Time was spent going through the manufacturing steps in production. Samples were pulled at each step. Subsequent examination by microscope indicated these problems were caused by residue of unremoved photoresist.The problem was traced to the photoresist stripper which was found to have a faulty filter. It was leaving some tiny fragments of photoresist film in the solution and these would on occasion redeposit on the work.
• Expert was asked to help a microwave circuit board shop that was unable to ship their product for a few weeks due to high rejects from their heavy deposition electroless line. They wanted to change to a low deposition electroless copper followed by electroplated copper. They wanted to do some experimental work first to make sure it would be successful. Expert's work involved setting up the new process in an unused prototype line and running samples for them using the new method. This worked out well and a change over was made on the production line. A subsequent visit was made to define a window of operation using the small experimental line. In this work, the concentration of electroless copper bath components were varied, as well as temperature and time.
• He was asked to help a company that manufactures packaging machinery to evaluate the feasibility of setting up captive anodizing and electroless nickel lines. An onsite visit was made to see the sizes of parts and numbers of parts that had to be processed, as well what sort of production rate would be needed. There was also the question of availability of adequate space, which they happened to have. Information was provided to them explaining each process, what chemicals were involved, and what companies sold them. Equipment was sized based on part size, number, and volume. Both lines were laid out indicating sequence and what equipment was needed for each process tank. Suppliers and prices were supplied. The general environmental regulations were spelled out and the appropriate local agencies and individuals were identified. After doing the above, they were put in touch with an engineering company that would actually do the installation.
• Expert was asked to help a research organization speed up copper plating in blind vias that were bottomed out on a lower copper layer. This was an array of vias and was taking a very long time to plate (hours). The part was not very large so the concepts used in high-speed strip plating were applied and a demonstration experiment in their laboratory showed how it could be reduced to the order of several minutes. This involved design of a special cell as well.
• Help was requested by a small manufacturer who had a captive nickel plating operation. They had periodic bouts of pitting and blistering. At their site, defects were examined and the day was spent with the production people so the process could be followed. After this, recommendations were made with respect to using adequate rinsing after electrocleaning, better agitation filtering, and temperature control on the nickel bath. Information was provided on some simple chemical analysis kits they could use.

• Zinc plating process expert for consulting on circuit board manufacturing issues.
• Expert in titanium anodizing for consulting on anodizing titanium panels (flat or curved) and honeycomb core.
• Expert in anodization of 7075 aluminum alloy for cause analysis of cosmetic color discolorations.
• Processing engineer plating expert for consulting on process engineer.
• Plating expert for consulting on Discoloration of bright nickel plating on copper.
• Galvanic corrosion expert needed for consulting on corrosion inhibitors.
• Refractory metal expert for consulting on refractory metal issues.
• Copper electroplating expert for consulting on copper electro and electroless plating process.
• Expert in phenolic resin for consulting on pultrusion in off shore applications.
• Nickel corrosion expert for consulting on salt spray failure.
• Expert in tin plating problems.
• Expert in conversion coatings for aluminum for consulting on Conversion Coatings on Aluminum.
• Nickel plating on wire expert for consulting on plating nickel onto berylium copper and tungsten wires.
• Expert in production processing equipment wear.
• Expert in analysis of dye defects for consulting on nylon/polyester fabrics.
• Plating expert for consulting on electroplating tin over copper.

• Expert for consulting on manganese phosphate coating issue in litigation.