Ralph Klein Email & Phone Number

Norwich, Ct

Activities related to Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) are integral to the effective operation of nuclear facilities and the design and fabrication of nuclear fuel and core components. The safe and reliable performance of the fuel, control rods/blades, and their associated components and materials is critical in order for a nuclear reactor to operate without restrictions due to performance problems. This successful performance depends, in large measure, upon the QA/QC systems applied in the design and fabrication of fuel and non-fuel components and the related management activities. KLEIN CONSULTING LLC provides a full range of quality related services to our clients in an efficient and cost effective manner that best meets their needs.Our technical expertise covers a diverse and broad range of activities, including• Audit and Surveillance Services - Fabrication Audits/Technical Surveillances - QA System Audits - Process Qualification Audits - Document/Records Audits• Plant Readiness and Quality Culture Reviews• Procurement Support• Training Programs• Other QA Services - Root Cause Investigation Support - Supply Chain Review and Assessment

Norwich, Ct And San Diego, Ca

- NQA-1 Certified Lead Auditor)- Managed and performed manufacturing oversight/surveillance, quality assurance audits and technical process reviews of facilities manufacturing high precision metal and ceramic components. These components are used in power generation facilities and require an extremely high degree of quality. This work included the review of the fabrication and inspection processes, work instructions, drawings and specifications, Quality Assurance programs, training, gauge control, and the technical analysis of processing, manufacturing and inspection techniques. I have performed close to 300 such assessments at facilities around the world.- Provided training to management and operations personnel in audits and process surveillances, process reviews, manufacturing and inspection, and customer expectations.- Provided engineering consulting services to utilities, research organizations and governmental agencies in the areas of quality, materials performance, design and process development, and manufacturing and inspection techniques.- Performed technical evaluations of the performance of materials under extremely adverse conditions, technical comparisons of new product designs and fabrication and inspection techniques.- Developed internal QA and Safeguards procedures.- Performed internal audits of ANATECH’s QA Program and Safeguards Program and their implementation.- The above work required a considerable amount of verbal and written communication including detailed technical reports, self-motivation, and developing creative solutions to meet the expectations of multi-national customers.- Recognized by my customers as an outstanding performer.

Norwich, Ct

- ASME/NQA-1 Certified Lead Auditor) and DOE L Clearance- Managed and performed manufacturing oversight/surveillance, quality assurance audits and technical process reviews of facilities manufacturing high precision metal and ceramic components. These components are used in power generation facilities and require an extremely high degree of quality. This work included the review of the fabrication process, work instructions, drawings and specifications, Quality Assurance programs, training, gauge control, and the technical analysis of processing, manufacturing and inspection techniques. This work was performed at facilities around the world. - Provided training to management and operations personnel in audits and process surveillances, process reviews, manufacturing and inspection, and customer expectations.- Provided engineering consulting services to utilities, research organizations and governmental agencies in the areas of quality, materials performance, design and process development, and manufacturing and inspection techniques.- Performed technical evaluations of the performance of materials under extremely adverse conditions, technical comparisons of new product designs and fabrication and inspection techniques.- The above work required a considerable amount of verbal and written communication including detailed technical reports, self-motivation, and developing creative solutions to meet the expectations of multi-national customers.- Recognized by my customers as an outstanding performer and by NAC management as a division leader in billability, sales and customer satisfaction.

Uncasville, Ct

- DOE L Clearance- Responsible for manufacturing and inspection support during development and initial production phases of new products requiring an extremely high degree of quality. These products are used in nuclear propulsion systems for the U. S. Navy. This work involved writing technical reports, manufacturing and quality inspection instructions, contract changes and customer required documentation requiring formal submittals. Additionally, process change qualification and implementation, product follow, process and product evaluations and problem solving in numerous plant areas was required.- Provided engineering support for the certification of new inspection techniques and software.- Served as lead engineer on proposals for new programs valued in excess of $100M and provided engineering support on bid efforts involving new contracts for standard product lines. These proposal efforts required work in areas of process development, processing times, equipment lists and quality related issues.- Established and maintained databases for tracking new product yields and trends for inspection areas.

Cincinnati, Oh

- DOE L Clearance- Responsible for daily plant support of a large manufacturing facility by performing process and product evaluations. These evaluations led to process adjustments which maintained and improved product quality while the plant was required to run at full capacity. This facility manufactured high purity cast metal ingots.- Responsible for set-up of a new ultrasonic inspection system for inspection of a new product design.- Responsible for developing and running process and product improvement development/test programs and process monitoring during start-up phase.- Developed programs to track product yield and inspection results.- Led problem solving and analysis programs in other areas of the facility where metallurgical expertise was required.

Columbia, Sc

- NRC Reactor Site Clearance- Responsible for process and product evaluations in a high volume manufacturing plant, at a time when the plant was required to run at full capacity and continuing levels of product improvement. Specific product and operational responsibilities included powder, pellet and welded fuel rod manufacturing and inspection.- Responsible for daily plant support and writing and reviewing manufacturing and quality inspection instructions for plant operations, product drawings and specifications. - Developed and incorporated higher quality visual standards for parts requiring 100% visual subjective inspections while maintaining continuous improvements in product yields. These standards are still in use today. Also was responsible for training inspectors in the use of new standards.- Developed, conducted and evaluated test to determine the predicted production reliability of robotic sampling, laser measuring, computerized image analysis and high temperature furnace test systems and controls. Used personal computer based programs for process control and product data evaluation.