Ravishankar Thangavelu
4601 Campus dr, F 234 email: ravi.thangavelu@gmail.com
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5343 current visa status (in US): F-1
Cell: (269) 599-9373
OBJECTIVE
Design Career to pioneer analytical and engineering skills and improve company’s profitability.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
3+years of Pro/E Wildfire, AutoCAD LT, SolidWorks 3D modeling, 2D with GD&T experience.
Finite Element Stress and Harmonic Analysis using ANSYS, Cosmos, in-house MATLAB codes.
Engine Design, Concept to Prototype (with DFM), Analysis, Testing, Mapping and Validation.
Design and Manufacture fixtures for testing, DAQ using LabVIEW and OEM evaluation.
Working knowledge of APQP, DFMEA, RPN, Route Cause, ECN, DOE, and Reliability.
Continuous Improvement by material preference, parts reduction, and Six Sigma principles.
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Teaching/Research Doctoral Associate – MAE Dept. WMU Sep ’04 – present
Teach undergraduate engineering course, and lab sessions. (Statics, Dynamics, Machine Design). Spring, Gear, Gear box, shaft, Beam, Truss, Columns, Fatigue, Bearing, Rivet Design
Partake in research activities at Advanced Vehicle Development and Simulation lab, WMU
Summer Intern – Citation Corporation, Grand Rapids, MI May ’06 – Sep ‘06
Respond by creating and modifying production part drawings for the die-cast manufacturer needs, Communicate with customers about their 3D CAD models to create those drawings.
CMM Dimension analysis of sample run cast products, Modify tolerance, initiate ECNs.
Involve in wide range of activities including redesign die layout to reuse old dies, runner/riser Core, Pilot pin design, PPAP and Plant layout to add two 400 tonne die casting machines.
Teaching/Research Assistant – MAE Dept. WMU Jan ’02 – April ‘04
Teach undergraduate engineering courses; lab sessions. (Engine Design I & II, Optics). Intake design, Engine Mapping, Chassis Dynamo- vehicle performance, CFR engine Experiments.
Partake in research activities at Coherent Optics lab, WMU. (Smart mirror system)
Engineer Trainee – Raiser Engineering Co. Erode, TN, INDIA May ’00 – Aug ‘01
Re-design and/or manufacture failed machine components ON–time. Production scheduling.
Perform time studies, line balancing, root cause analysis, develop corrective action plans to improved quality and reduced setup time, scrap, Inventory. Statistical Process Control analysis.
Supply chain management plan and execute free-flow of raw material and finished products.
EDUCATION
Doctorate of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering Expected April 2008
Western Michigan University (WMU), Kalamazoo, MI GPA: 3.55/4.00
Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering April 2004
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI GPA: 3.25/4.00
Thesis: Methodology to predict instantaneous friction in Non-Conventional I.C Engines.
Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering April 2000
Bharathiar University, Perundurai, TN, INDIA
RESEARCH/PROJECTS
Bearing Model (Dissertation), AVDS Lab, WMU Sep ’06 - Present
Develop simulation model of tapered roller bearing to study its dynamics characteristics.
Perform static experiments and stress analysis with the bearing model for axial, radial or combined loading scenarios to calculate, verify and evaluate the bearing stiffness matrix.
Develop simplified FE bearing model (possibly a bearing element) to be used in driveline system analysis.
Engine Design - AVDS Lab, WMU May ‘03 to April ‘06
Lead student research team to identify with the potential and develop a unique concept rotary engine targeting a specific market group and benchmarked with current competitors products.
Developed a mathematical model in-house using LabVIEW to predict the instantaneous friction and wear of the rotary engine and to determine the approximate mechanical efficiency and life.
Modeled the rotary engine CC in SolidWorks and leakage analysis (DFMEA) was performed to estimate percentage of leakage using Cosmos Floworks. Suggest suitable material for rotors considering the thermal expansion, deflection/stress and leakage analysis results.
GD&T limits of the rotors, case and components based on material selection and manufacturing method. A full-size prototype was built from concept and the motorized engine is being studied.
Acoustic/Vibration Analysis - Dana Corporation, Kalamazoo, MI Aug ‘05 to Dec ‘05
Performed modal analysis of Heavy duty rear axle housing using ANSYS Workbench.
Gained knowledge about using LMS-Acoustics to import the excitation vectors from ANSYS and performed acoustical analysis based on Boundary element method.
Mapped the critical spot on the housing and suggested design changes to reduce noise.
Smart Mirror System - Coherent Optics Lab, WMU April ‘02 to April ‘03
Reduced blind spots for new drivers in light vehicles by automation of powered rear view mirrors based on driver’s seat adjustment and eye balls position.
Performed Regression analysis to obtain optimum rear view mirrors position influenced by driver’s eye balls position and seat position.
Developed control code in ‘LabVIEW’ to control the rear view mirrors using electrical hardware integration and Data Acquisition.
HONORS/AFFLIATIONS
Pro-Engineer, Master-CAM, CNC Training and Certification.
SAE, ASME Student Member – WMU chapter.
SAE Super mileage: Built the super mileage car and competed with 630 mpg. June 2004
SAE Solar Challenge: (SUNSEEKER – WMU team) worked on brake design. 2002
National Modified Midget Associations (NMMA) ‘Race Car Chassis Clinic’.
State level CNC programming (1999), 1st place. MIT-Chennai, India.
COURSES
Instructor: Statics and Mechanics of Materials – Fall ’04, ’05, ’06, ‘07
Tutor: Dynamics – Spring ‘07
Lab TA: Machine Design I, Engine Design I & II, Applied Optics
Student: Adv. Finite Element Elements, Adv. Strength of Materials, Multibody Dynamics, Structural Vibrations, Acoustics, Design Optimization, Fatigue, Adv. HT-Conduction, Design of Experiments, Adv. Product Design,. (57 credits of Graduate level Courses).
Page