Michael Arata Email & Phone Number

Independent contractor providing engineering services in the areas of mechanical engineering, design, drafting, consulting, and technical writing.

Responsible for engineering, design, and development of large scale high temperature flue gas dampers, ductwork, and expansion joints for the power generation industry.Designed support structures and steel exhaust stacks up to 50m in elevation. Calculated wind & seismic structural loads in accordance with ASCE methodology, analyzed stresses, and optimized designs to minimize fabrication costs.Designed electro-mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic damper drive mechanisms ranging up to 1.4x10^6 ft-lbs torque capability.Managed a design team of five engineers and draftsmen. Planned and directed engineering activities, coordinating with customers, project management, and manufacturing.

Responsible for design, analysis, testing, and manufacturing support related to development and production of multi-sensor gyro-stabilized optical sighting turret equipment.Airborne naval mine detection system: As lead mechanical engineer planned and directed the mechanical development of a new sighting turret. Designed and engineered, structural, environmental, and mechanical aspects of the product. Coordinated development of the mechanical prototype.Shipboard naval surveillance camera system: Analyzed conceptual design alternatives for trade offs in performance, cost, reliability, and technical and schedule risk. Designed and prototyped de-icing heaters, compressed air window cleaning system, and cooling / air purge system. Coordinated mechanical packaging of multi-sensor gyro stabilized camera payload.Helicopter mounted searchlight: Designed mechanical and electro-mechanical components for varied manufacturing processes including fiberglass, spun metal, CNC machining, and sheet metal. Airborne law enforcement helicopter camera system: Coordinated corrosion testing research, implementing design changes to improve corrosion resistance of equipment. Provided engineering support to manufacturing production line.

Us

Responsible for design and manufacture of improved guidance system for crash test vehicles. Other duties included crash vehicle test instrumentation, test apparatus maintenance, and test documentation.Programmed mathematical model of vehicle and guidance system dynamics. Designed and conducted experiments to measure model parameters. Used root-locus, Bode frequency response, and other control system analysis techniques to determine optimal design parameters.Programmed FEA model of prototype to analyze for static stresses and deflections. Calculated other stresses and factors of safety using analytical methods.Generated 3D CAD models and drafted production drawings.Performed machining and other work required for production of prototype using lathe, vertical mill, and other machine shop equipment.Coordinated full-scale high speed testing of prototype. Guidance system was approved by engineering management for use in official Department of Transportation crash tests. The guidance system performed successfully in a Department of Transportation crash test conducted in June of 1998.

Estimated air pollution emissions for commercial and industrial sources. Provided technical assistance to clients in obtaining air quality permits with government regulatory agencies.

Estimated air pollutant emissions for a wide range of commercial and industrial processes, conducted on-site inspections, meeting with industry representatives.

M.S., Mechanical Engineering

B.S., Chemical Engineering