Ammunition Expert Witness
Our ammunition expert witness brings to the technical community over 35 years of experience in materials processing, design, and process control in manufacturing and industry. His areas of expertise include metal alloys, ceramics, polymers, coatings, composite and electronic materials, tribology, corrosion mechanisms and prevention, mechanical properties of materials, manufacturing process audits, design and reliability analysis, and litigation support. Along with serving as Trustee (2003-07) ASM International, and Trustee, (2007-10) ASM Education Foundation, he was Alpha Sigma Mu, Trustee (2004-10), and Alpha Sigma Mu President & Chair of the Board (2010-16). As ASM INTERNATIONAL President, & Chair of the Board of Trustees (2017-18), he currently is serving a second term as Trustee Education Foundation. Dr. Schmidt is frequently an expert witness.
Areas of Metallurgical Specialization
Manufacturing processes, development, quality control and products/process audits, materials design, selection and testing, development of intellectual property, Safety analyses & process, fault tree, equipment, and life prediction analysis, failure analysis, component fabrication and standards of performance, tribology, lubrication, wear and corrosion testing and analysis.
Professional Experience
2017 – present
Private practice, Director of Technology, Principal Engineer
West Chicago, Illinois
1998 – 2017
Engineering Systems Inc., Senior Managing Consultant & Director Materials Technology
Aurora, Illinois
1997 - 1998
Packer Engineering Associates, Inc., Director, Materials Engineering
Naperville, Illinois
1989 - 1996
Remington Arms/DuPont Corporation, Chief Metallurgist
Ilion, New York
1972 – 1989
DuPont Corp, Corporate Engineering Dept. R&D
Wilmington, Delaware
1968 - 1972
Drexel University Graduate Research, INCRA – Fellow, International Copper Research Association
1965 - 1967
G.T.E., Sylvania, Inc., Powder Metallurgist
1964
Dodge Steel Castings, Inc., Process Metalurgist
Education
Certifications
Affiliations
· Drexel University
Manufacturing processes, development, quality control and products/process audits, materials design, selection and testing, development of intellectual property, Safety analyses & process, fault tree, equipment, and life prediction analysis, failure analysis, component fabrication and standards of performance, tribology, lubrication, wear and corrosion testing and analysis.
Professional Experience
2017 – present
Private practice, Director of Technology, Principal Engineer
West Chicago, Illinois
1998 – 2017
Engineering Systems Inc., Senior Managing Consultant & Director Materials Technology
Aurora, Illinois
- Senior Managing Consultant & Director Materials Technology – 2010-2017
- Technical Director, Materials Engineering – 2003-2010
- Manager, Materials Engineering – 2002
- Manager, Services for Industry – 1999
- Senior Consultant – 1998
1997 - 1998
Packer Engineering Associates, Inc., Director, Materials Engineering
Naperville, Illinois
1989 - 1996
Remington Arms/DuPont Corporation, Chief Metallurgist
Ilion, New York
- Chief Metallurgist for Remington Arms Company (Division of DuPont)
- Developed product and process technologies for firearms and ammunition components and directed the modernization of all engineering materials documentation
1972 – 1989
DuPont Corp, Corporate Engineering Dept. R&D
Wilmington, Delaware
- Research Fellow, 1989
- Research Associate, 1986
- Senior Project Engineer, 1979
- Senior Process Engineer, 1978
- Manufacturing Resources & Production Control Supervisor, 1976
- Research Metallurgist, 1972
1968 - 1972
Drexel University Graduate Research, INCRA – Fellow, International Copper Research Association
1965 - 1967
G.T.E., Sylvania, Inc., Powder Metallurgist
1964
Dodge Steel Castings, Inc., Process Metalurgist
Education
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Materials Science and Engineering, Ph.D.
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Materials Science and Engineering, M.S.
- Drexel Institute of Technology, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, B.S. Metallurgical Engineering
Certifications
- Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.)
- DE (17689) PA (PE-030106-E) IA (20994)
IL (062-64406) WI (42000-06) MI (6201059219)
TX (112419) WV (19961) NCEES MLE (48578
Affiliations
- ASM International, International Metallography Society (IMS), National Officer
- ASM International, Program Chairman, Specialty Materials Division
- International Metallography Society (IMS), Microscopy & Micro-Analysis, Program Chairman
- Materials Testing
- Conducts metallurgy industrial evaluations and failure mode analyses to improve client products. Examples include castings, weldments, valves, pumps, refinery equipment, firearms, ammunition, biomaterials, and electronics. Develops test protocols, process, and materials specifications, designs statistically significant methods to analyze and implement results. Tribology testing for wear, friction and corrosion resistance as related to product and process design, and ultimately component life prediction.
- Forensic Examination and Reconstruction
- Conducts engineering reviews and analyses of materials/fabrication methods for a variety of accident scenarios. Performs inspections; evaluates product performances/situation to determine causation. Reviews related documentation and standards, performs tests to clarify/demonstrate cause-effect behavior. Expertise includes modeling (FMEA), computer simulation FEA-plasticity, mechanics of wear processes, and root cause failure analysis
- Management Consultation
- Production control, reliability, and safety engineering facilitator to implement strategic continuous improvement methods. Responsible for task and coordination, to direct inter-disciplinary materials and process engineering projects. Defines and conducts R&D projects to develop, invent proprietary technology for industrial clients. Conducts analyses of state-of-the-art technology as it relates to patent disputes, and due diligence with respect to corporate mergers and contract disputes. Dr. Schmidt is a specialist in alternative dispute resolution.
- Northern Illinois University – Mechanical Engineering faculty adjunct (2017 – 2018)
- Professional Engineering & E.I.T. Review NYSPE (1991)
- University of Delaware, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department – Graduate Courses (1984-1986)
- Materials Engineering Institute – ASM International (1980-1984)
· Drexel University
- Drexel Professional Services Award, 2017
- Alumni Leadership Award, one of 7 celebrating 40 years of Doctoral research, Blue & Gold days at Drexel’s Historic Art Gallery, 2009
- 100th Anniversary Symposium Keynote Lecturer, June 1991
- Distinguished Life Member recognition - 2016
- Fellow ASMu – 2010
- Distinguished Lectureship – MS&T, Columbus, Ohio – 2010
- ASM International (formerly known as the American Society for Metals),
- William Hunt Eisenman Award, 2015
- Albert Sauveur Lecture Award, 2009
- MVP Board Award, 2005
- International Fellow, 2002
- MEI Instructor of Merit Award, 2001
- Mohawk Valley Chapter, 1992 and 1996
- Allan Ray Putnam Society Award, 1991
- Chapter Incentives and National Development Award, 1981
- President's Award, Wilmington Chapter, 1975
- Northern Illinois University, since 2006
- The Scientific Research Society – 1974, DuPont Experimental Station
- Engineering Professionalism Award, 1995
- Professional Development Award for Mentoring Engineers, 1992
- National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
- Leadership Award, 1995
- KEHL Medal ASM & International Metallography (IMS) award for TEM exhibit
- "7075 Aluminum Alloy – Dislocation Dynamics," – 1972
- "Alpha Brass Ductile – MVC, 2 Stage Replica – 23,000X" – 1970
- Scabbard and Blade - Society of American Military Engineers, National Honor Society – 1967
