Engineer

Daniel W. Hofstetter, P.E. February ****

**** *. **** ***** ***. State College, PA 16803 Phone: 814-***-**** E-Mail: *******@*****.***

Education

M.S. Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 2011

B.S. Engineering Technology, University of Delaware, 1997

Member-Engineer, ASABE #0327396

Member of Alpha Epsilon and Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Societies

Certified Solidworks Professional – Mechanical Design

Professional Licensure

Licensed Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania.

Registered Technical Services Provider with USDA NRCS in Pennsylvania.

Professional Experience

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Research Assistant, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department (1/12 to present)

Conducted computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of ventilated confined-space manure

storages using SolidWorks Flow Simulation software. Created a user-configurable 3D model of a

confined space manure storage that accommodates multiple storage shapes and sizes. Developed

an interactive online tool for the design and evaluation of confined-space manure storage ventilation

systems. Collected field data during forced ventilation of confined-space manure storages for the

purpose of validating the CFD model. Conducted alpha and beta testing of the online tool to refine

the user interface.

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Instructor, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department (8/11 to 12/11)

Served as the primary instructor for a 3-credit undergraduate course in Power Transmission in

Agriculture (ASM 310) for 25 students. Updated and developed course materials including lecture

notes, handouts, exams, homework assignments, and lab activities. Administered and graded all

homework, lab activities, quizzes, and exams. Organized a field trip to tour an industrial machinery

manufacturing facility so students could see real-world applications of course concepts.

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Graduate Assistant, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department (1/10 to 8/11)

Designed and fabricated a compression apparatus for small rectangular bales of herbaceous energy

crops. Conducted research to determine the power requirements and energy consumption during the

compression process for baled switchgrass, corn stover, wheat straw, and indiangrass.

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Nutrient Control Systems, Inc., Chambersburg, PA

Lead Engineer (5/03 to 7/09)

Developed infrastructure for and managed engineering department for a fast-growing

company. Designed complete Integrity manure handling systems including automated land

application from start to finish. Reviewed manure system designs prepared by members of

engineering department staff. Prepared machinery system and engineering quotations for customers.

Participated in giving farm tours and seminars to potential customers and clients. Assisted with

development of Integrity sand-handling manure pump. Developed a tapered screw press for dairy

manure. Created fabrication and assembly drawings for machinery. Designed manure processing

facilities including layouts for machinery installation. Communicated with customers and contractors

to ensure facilities were constructed to Integrity specifications. Managed installation crew and

participated in installation and startup of machinery. Provided technical support to customers and

equipment dealers. Performed field service maintenance and troubleshooting. Provided

engineering support during sales calls and at trade shows. Evaluated other machinery and

technology for suitability in large-scale manure systems in USA.

McLanahan Corporation, Agricultural Machinery Systems Division, Hollidaysburg, PA

Agricultural Machinery Specialist (3/99 to 3/03)

Designed sand and sand-laden dairy manure handling equipment from start to finish. Created and

maintained bills of materials for machinery and each component. Prepared cost estimates for

manufacturing semi-custom machinery. Prepared machinery system quotations for customers.

Created fabrication and assembly drawings. Monitored manufacturing of machinery through f inal

product testing. W orked with production and shop personnel to identify and resolve design issues.

Designed facility layouts for machinery installation. Designed manure handling systems including

pump and piping system sizing and specifications, manure storage sizing, flush pipes and channels,

and detailed construction drawings. Communicated with customers and contractors to ensure

facilities were constructed to McLanahan specifications. Provided technical support to customers.

Performed field service maintenance and troubleshooting. Provided engineering support during

sales calls and at trade shows.

Royster-Clark, Precision Agricultural Services, Whiteford, MD

Precision Ag Specialist (6/98 to 3/99)

Provided Precision Ag services and consulting to customers in MD, NJ, NY, and PA. Conducted

grid soil sampling and created soil fertility maps from the resulting data. Calibrated grain yield

monitors using a weigh wagon. Created yield maps for customers. Developed a site-specific

Nutrient Management extension for ArcView/GIS based on Maryland regulations. Performed

troubleshooting for hardware including yield monitors and GPS receivers. Generated Variable Rate

Lime recommendations and application maps based on soil test results.

University of Delaware, Bioresources Engineering, Newark, DE

Research Assistant (6/97 to 6/98)

Developed yield monitors for peas and cucumbers including sensor fabrication and software

instructions. Designed digital filters to eliminate noise from yield monitor signals. Merged Global

Positioning System data with yield data to create detailed maps of pea and cucumber production.

Predicted corn and cucumber yields from harvest and grid sampling data. Created manure

application maps using GPS with a Precision Spreader. Conducted field tests using a force-balance

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shaker to determine the feasibility of mechanical harvesting of squash.

Other Training

2002 – The McNally Institute: Pump School – One-day course taught by Bill McNally.

1999 – Lincoln Welding School: Design of Weldments – Three-day course taught by Omer Blodget.

Teaching

ASM 310 – Power Transmission in Agriculture – 3 credits; This undergraduate course emphasized

the principles, selection and maintenance of mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic power

transmission components and systems, and electric motors and controls. (Taught Fall 2011)

Institutional Service

Served on Graduate Studies Committee, Penn State University, Agricultural and Biological

Engineering Department, 2009 to 2012

Served as President of the Agricultural & Biological Engineering Graduate Student Council, Penn

State University, 2011

Served on ASABE/NCEES Agricultural Engineering PE Cut-Score Panel, December 2011

Invention Disclosures

Glancey, J. L. and D. W. Hofstetter 1998. UofD Invention No. UD98-14. System for Direct

Continuous Measurement of the Mass Flow Rate of Fruits and Vegetables.

Provisional Patent Awarded.

Glancey, J. L. and D. W. Hofstetter 1998. UofD Invention No. UD98-14A. Yield Monitor for

Mechanically Harvested, Bulk Loading Fruits and Vegetables. Provisional Patent Awarded.

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Publications/Presentations

Hofstetter, D.W., Manbeck, H.B., Puri, V.M., and Murphy, D.J., 2014. An Online Confined-Space

Manure Ventilation Design Tool Using SolidWorks Flow Simulation. Presented at the 2014

ASABE Annual International Meeting, July 13-16, 2014, Montreal, QC Canada. ASABE Paper

No. 141913912.

Hofstetter, D.W., Manbeck, H.B., Puri, V.M., and Murphy, D.J., 2014. Online Tool for Designing

Ventilation Systems to Reduce Manure Pit Entry Risk. Presented at the 2014 Engineers and

CETs for NRCS and Partners Workshop in PA Furnace, PA. PowerPoint Presentation.

Hofstetter, D.W., Manbeck, H.B., Puri, V.M., and Murphy, D.J., 2013. CFD Simulation of Manure Pit

Ventilation using SolidWorks. Presented at the 2013 ASABE Annual International Meeting,

July 21-24, 2013, Kansas City, MO. ASABE Poster No. 1621753.

Hofstetter, D.W., Manbeck, H.B., Puri, V.M., and Murphy, D.J., 2013. Manure Pit Ventilation Modeling

using SolidWorks Flow Simulation. Presented at NABEC 2013, June 16-19, 2013, Altoona, PA.

NABEC Poster No. 13-039.

Hofstetter, D.W., 2013. SolidWorks Flow Simulation and Ventilation Modeling.

Presented at the 2013 SolidWorks Technical Summit in State College, PA.

PowerPoint presentation.

Hofstetter, D.W., 2013. Confined-Space Ventilation Modeling Using Flow Simulation.

Presented at the SolidWorks World 2013 Conference in Orlando, FL.

PowerPoint presentation.

Hofstetter, D.W., 2012. 3D Modeling for Simplifying Complex Projects.

Presented at the 2012 PE Continuing Education Summer Engineering Workshop in State

College, PA. PowerPoint presentation.

Hofstetter, D.W., 2012. Web-based Resources for Site Planning and Development.

Presented at the 2012 PE Continuing Education Summer Engineering Workshop in State

College, PA. PowerPoint presentation.

Hofstetter, D. W. and J. Liu, 2011. Compression of Baled Cellulosic Feedstocks for Biofuel Production.

Presented at the 2011 Northeast Agricultural and Biological Engineering Conference. NABEC

Paper No. 11-070.

Hofstetter, D. W. and J. Liu, 2011. Power Requirement and Energy Consumption of Bale Compression.

Presented at the 2011 ASABE Annual International Meeting. ASABE Paper No. 1111266.

Glancey, J, D. Hofstetter, and E. Kee 2008. Impact characteristics of pickling cucumber and their

potential effect on mass flow rate measurement. Application of Precision Agriculture for Fruits

and Vegetables, January 6th – 9th, 2008, Orlando, FL.

Wedel, A. W. and D. W. Hofstetter 2002. Conveyance of Sand-Laden Dairy Manure from Barn to

Storage. Presented at the 2002 Sand Bedding Conference held by McLanahan Corporation.

PowerPoint presentation.

Glancey, J. L., W. E. Kee, T. L. Wooten, and D. W. Hofstetter 1998. Yield and Soil Property

Variations in Processed Vegetable Production on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Presented at the 1998 ASAE Annual International Meeting. ASAE Paper No. 981099.

Glancey, J. L., W. E. Kee, T. L. Wooten, and D. W. Hofstetter 1998. Feasibility of Once-Over

Mechanical Harvest of Processing Squash. Presented at the 1998 ASAE Annual International

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Meeting. ASAE Paper No. 981093.

Glancey, J. L., D. W. Hofstetter, W. E. Kee, and T. L. Wooten 1997. A Preliminary Evaluation of

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