Robert Adams, Phd, P.E. Email & Phone Number

Shelby Township, MI

• An automated test systems manufacturer and testing laboratory, specializing in wide spectrum tribological testing.Founded Tribis to market and capitalize on technology developed based on PhD dissertation research.
• Developed research equipment and methods aimed at replacing the industry standard PV limit model with a Heat Generation and Design Map wear rate model to more comprehensively characterize tribological material.
• Designed and developed unique testing equipment and machine control methods capable of determining dry sliding wear rates by up to 200 times faster than conventional test equipment, making "Wide Spectrum" testing.
• Tested and evaluated novel and nano-composite bearing materials to define wide spectrum performance characteristics.
• Secured several "early adopter" contracts to conduct "Wide Spectrum" testing for several customers, globally, and including Fortune 100 members.
• Awarded SBIR contract from US Navy to develop new “Slipper Bearings” for aircraft carrier arresting systems.

Sterling Heights Mi

Sterling Heights, MI

• An international manufacturer of Rigid-Chain lifting and drive systems for theater, military, architectural, and industrial applications.Responsible for US engineering operations, and for global collaboration of.
• Hired engineering staff to increase the technological depth of the engineering department.
• Instituted PDM documentation to organize and leverage existing intellectual property.
• Organized and led a global engineering conference to share technology among various engineering efforts. Conference held in France with attending engineers from France, England, Germany, and the US.
• Presented a seminar at the global conference and in the US office on bearing tribology and industrial bearing applications and design methodology.
• Brought licensed engineering approval “in house” reducing the need for outside Professional Engineering certification.

Rochester, MI

Courses: ME-4630 & ME-5710 Tribology: Introduction to Lubrication, Friction, and Wear ME-6710 Advanced Tribology

Rochester Hills, MI

• Responsible for teaching laboratory concepts and methods to undergraduate and graduate engineering students.
• Undergrad engineering laboratories taught: Mechanics of Materials
• Graduate engineering laboratories taught: Manufacturing Processes
• Taught and required clear and well documented lab reporting
• Guided students in understanding lab and homework requirements
• Graded laboratory reports and homework

• Responsible for the strategic direction, R&D, testing, engineering design and field product service teams for all new and installed products
• Recognized as the Tribology and mechanisms expert that expanded the corporate product lines beyond plane bearings into automation equipment, utilizing plane bearing technology, resulting in sales growth of over 100%.
• Played a major leadership role in the development and execution of the corporate business growth plan and the strategies that led the company to continue its sales velocity and maintain competitive market share position.
• Introduced Finite Element Analysis and reproducible and verifiable testing methods for product development that resulted in more durable and longer life products.
• Established the use of 3D CAD design systems and standards that guided new product development resulting in greater effectiveness, accuracy and product visibility.
• Chaired and provided leadership for the Advanced Product Quality Planning & Operating Committee.

• Responsible for the R&D, manufacturing definitions and processes, as well staff training, for new products based on plane bearing technology
• Researched and developed self-lubricating plane bearing technology that replaced rolling element bearings and ball screws, resulting in lower cost products with higher capacity, longer life, and less maintenance.
• Developed and introduced a new linear plane bearing product line that operated at very high
• thrust loads and high rigidity without requiring preload.
• Developed and introduced an advanced lead screw product line, with a cast-polymer nut, that yielded higher capacities, with near-zero backlash, at half the cost of conventional ball screw systems.

• Responsible for the engineering design, project management and build of Thermo-Forming Systems.
• First engineer to introduce plane bearing technology to this industry

• Responsible for estimating and quoting projects and leading an engineering team that designed automation systems. This also included technical responsibility and assurance of integrity for all structural, hydraulic.
• Researched and developed self-lubricating Plane Bearing Technology that became the backbone for the company’s reputation for long life and more durable products and systems.

Phd, Mechanical Engineering

Dissertation Title: Characterization of Dry Sliding Wear in Plane Bearing Materials Research: Develop 3-D system for predicting friction.

Master Of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Emphasis on Tribology and Optical

Bachelor Of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Emphasis on Robotics and Mechanisms