Kenyon Whetsell Email & Phone Number

Responsible for all aspects of mechanical and manufacturing engineering of additive manufacturing hardware including design, production documentation (i.e., BOMs, drawings, work instructions), validation testing (EVT/DVT), first article inspections (FAI), vendor qualifications, and continuous improvement/sustaining. Provides strategic leadership, maintained department expenses, and handles resource allocations including recruiting/hiring activities for the department.• Oversaw design and launch of QLS820, a quad CO2 laser polymer powder bed fusion 3D printer, achieving the industry’s fastest SLS printing speeds, as well as the XiP Pro, an industrial, LCD based, vat photopolymerization printer, earning the fastest SLS printing speeds available on the market.• Responsible for various due diligence and integration activities for multiple acquisitions, completing technical assessments and process integrations to successfully ensure continuity of product manufacturing and sales.

Managed team of mechanical engineers and electrical engineers in hardware product design, testing, and market release, including coordination with overseas vendors and contract manufacturers. Owned ECO processes as well as regulatory certifications and compliances. Responsible for R&D facilities and equipment. Regularly communicated project status and timelines to senior leadership teams. • Completed CE regulatory testing and assessments, agency certifications, and NRTL listing reports for multiple product lines, including evaluations to Machinery Directive (MD) standard EN/IEC 60204-1, harmonized Low Voltage Directive (LVD) standard IEC 62368-1, various EMC directives, US (FCC) and Radio Equipment Directives (RED), and environmental standards (RoHS, WEEE, etc.)• Navigated COVID-19 operational challenges by rapidly implementing communication and project management tools and improvements, and successfully mitigated supply chain impacts by practicing agile engineering operating methods.• Implemented a comprehensive Engineering Change (ECR/ECO/ECN) processes and approval workflows. The SOP satisfied NRTL factory audit requirements, and ensured quality, performance, and cost improvements could be implemented efficiently with minimal production disruption or waste.• Spearheaded the successful implementation of CAD revision and release control system (SolidWorks PDM) as well as enhancing the company’s BOM management processes, significantly improving design accuracy/quality while increasing efficiency, and reducing errors.• Led mechanical and electrical team to successfully launch multiple post-processing products, including identifying and coordinating contract manufacturing opportunities in Asia. Collaborated with industrial design consultants and was instrumental in various mechanical designs and patents for Nexa3D’s first medium volume desktop 3D printer, the XiP.

Guided all aspects of mechanical development to commercially launch Nexa3D’s first product, an industrial photopolymer 3D printer, in under 12 months. Responsible for machine architecture and component design, including identification of bridge manufacturing methods whenever required to meet project deadlines. Oversaw all hardware procurement activities including RFQ’s and vendor selection. Ensured manufacturability of all designs, led pilot production builds and validation test plan execution, and created assembly work instructions for manufacturing technicians. • Successfully identified and onboarded strategic vendors for sheet metal, CNC machining, and injection molding processes, optimizing supply chain efficiency; also established reliable sources for commercial off-the-shelf parts, including motors, motion control components, and pumps, to support project performance targets and cost-effectiveness• Collaborated closely with optical engineering consultants to conceive, design, and realize the industry's most powerful MSLA (Masked Stereolithography Apparatus) UV LED light engine for 3D printing, incorporating advanced thermal management solutions to ensure optimal performance and longevity.• Productized and developed go-to-market manufacturing processes for the company’s core proprietary technology, consumable LSPc (Lubricant Sublayer Photo-curing) membranes, including tension stretching apparatus, design of injection molded retention frames, and automated coating spray system.

Oxnard, Ca, Us

Developed new products and processes that helped $1bn global leader improve cost, reliability, and efficiency. Successfully brought an innovative, entrepreneurial perspective to a large highly structured corporate culture. Designed cast, machined, and sheet metal parts for CNC machine tools to reduce manufacturing time and material costs, while improving reliability and performance.• Developed a novel 55-degree wedge, reducing machine footprint by 11% while improving chip and coolant flow characteristics• Designed cast and billet machined components for new CNC horizontal lathe which reduced total manufacturing time by more than 25%• Engineered the company’s first optional subspindle compatible across a variety of machine platform sizes while utilizing a single casting

Camarillo, Ca, Us

Collaborated with machine tool, cutting tool, and part manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, medical, and other industries to provide NC machining solutions and automated part programming. Led direction as Product Owner for software development teams using agile product management. Presented products to worldwide customers and resellers.• Devised a patented method of generating CNC instructions for positioning and preparatory control commands• Led development of innovative high-speed milling and turning NC toolpaths, ProfitMilling and ProfitTurning, which benefited customers with a 500% increase of cutting tool life and 75% cycle time reduction

Fast paced racing car engineering and fabrication for numerous factory sponsored Mazda racing cars, contributing to team’s first season with zero failures and Mazda’s first series manufacturer championship.Designed and supported in construction of vehicles, and sourced externally supplied components. Setup and analysis of data acquisition systems for performance optimization. Scaled track-proven designs to commercial market.• Developed and fabricated the company’s first composite side impact attenuator using carbon fiber and Kevlar materials, reducing vehicle weight over 25 lbs. Oversaw necessary testing for race series homologation.