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Directed
all phases of major $32MM factory expansion to introduce new product
and process.
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Executed studies, planning, design and installation of tissue slitting
process saving $4,000/day.
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Performed
strategic study for North American wire production requirements for 12
plants.
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Introduced
new steel wire drawing machinery which increased output 50%.
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Initiated
major changes in wire preparation which improved quality and reduced
cost by 15%.
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Developed
new supplier of tire cord equipment used internationally.
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Responsible
for technical and economic analysis of major projects for the
semi-finished products plant.
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Supervised
manufacturing engineering for the steel tire cord operation in the
U.S.
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Controlled
engineering analysis for legal defense strategy of product liability.
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Organized
field service and OEM contact for passenger, light truck and heavy
truck tires.
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Education
Master of Mechanical
Engineering, Pratt Institute
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, Pratt Institute
French: Fluent
Professional
Affiliations
Registered Professional
Engineer: States of New York and
South Carolina; American Society of Mechanical Engineers; American Society for
Testing and Materials; International Tire Retreaders Association; Rubber
Division-American Chemical Society; Society of Automotive Engineers; Wire
Association International.
Consulting Engineer
In his engineering practice, Robert Ochs provides analyses in tire failure,
tire/vehicle applications, tire manufacturing defects, vehicle response dynamics
and accident reconstruction. He
evaluates manufacturing processes, machinery, and quality assurance programs
used by the manufacturers.
As an independent
consulting engineer, he has assisted attorneys in the preparation of litigation
concerning tire failure and analysis of manufacturing and service equipment used
in the tire industry. He
represented Michelin Tire Corporation as its Director of Product Analysis and
has extensive experience in product liability litigation involving hundreds of
incidents that required investigation and reconstruction:
tire and vehicle testing to establish failure criteria; patterns of
damage/crush of tires and vehicles; comparison of known tire/vehicle failures
with tires and vehicles involved in accidents; analysis of failure surfaces
through the use of non-destructive test techniques including light optical
microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, radiography and materials properties
testing. He conducted and/or
participated in vehicle dynamic analysis for reconstruction of vehicle accident
paths. This included analysis and
recreation of tire skid/yaw markings on various surfaces.
Mr. Ochs has performed the forensic analysis of thousands of tires during
his career.
During his
twenty-five years at Michelin Tire Corporation, he was involved with tire
development, manufacturing, and application.
This work was performed in the OEM (original equipment manufacturers) and
replacement market (dealer network) venues where he was involved in the
evaluation of product serviceability and performance.
His expertise encompasses the construction, manufacturing and testing of
pneumatic tires. He assisted in the
design, development and construction of production facilities for tire cord and
tire components. This included
working with international manufacturers of tire manufacturing equipment.
He assisted in the development of The Tire and Vehicle Dynamics Course
conducted at the Nevada Automotive Test Center and subsequently completed the
course himself.
His career
includes work with domestic and international vehicle manufacturers for the
selection of tires, inflation pressures and suspension developments for original
equipment and the replacement market. He
has participated in vehicle stability studies that included catastrophic tire
failures. These failures replicated
blowouts on the front and rear wheel positions of the vehicles.
He has testified
in state and federal courts as an expert witness.
He has acted as a consultant to the New York City Police Department
assisting in the investigation of a murder and testifying at the time of trial.
Mr. Ochs is a
graduate of Pratt Institute with a Bachelor and Master degree in Mechanical
Engineering and is fluent in French. He
is a registered Professional Engineer in the states of Georgia, New York, and
South Carolina. He is a member of
the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society for Testing
Materials, International Tire ReTreaders Association, Rubber Division of the
American Chemical Society, Society of Automotive Engineers, Tire Society and the
Wire Association International.