Design and Manufacturing Engineer, Solidworks, AutoCAD, Automation

Craig Luedke

**** ******* **. *** *******, AR ***13

**********@*****.***

501-***-**** (C)

Career Summary:

Improving Manufacturing methods and practices, efficiency and reducing waste/downtime.

Staying up to date on current methods and technologies.

Automation of manual processes in a diversified field of manufacturing.

Education:

August 2001- Feb. 2002 Sanford Brown University---Fenton, MO

BS: Microsoft 2000 Advanced Server

August 1988-May 1992 Pittsburg State University---Pittsburg, KS

BS: Plastics Engineering Technology

Majors: Design and Engineering

August 1986-May 1988 Allen County Community College---Iola, KS

AA: Computer Science and Robotics

Experience:

June 2015-Current

Berry Plastics-Hot Springs, AR

Automation Engineer:

Solidworks 2015, Office(Word, Excel, Power Point), JDE, IBM Notes, Robotics, Automation

Layout and design of automation for multiple manufacturing machines: Injection Molding, Labeling, and Lid Lining machines.

Design and fabrication of jigs, fixtures and machines themselves.

Build prototype machines, devices, and processes to improve efficiency and meet customers demands.

Project management and in house fabrication of custom products and machines.

oDesigned and made a prototype of a more efficient and reliable automated assembly machine for two piece jars. During quoting, I found out 3 outside engineering firms had been asked to do the same thing and declined because they couldn’t do it. They were impressed at the concept and still couldn’t figure out how it worked even after seeing it.

oRe-engineered an existing machine that eliminated constant maintenance, part replacement and machine down time for under $1500.

oDeveloped a new packaging system for an existing customer using existing equipment eliminating cardboard waste.

oDeveloped a compact work table that became part of the existing machine itself reducing clutter and increasing work space mobility.

September 2014-May 2015

Medtronic Incorporated-Memphis, TN

Packaging Engineer:

Solidworks 2013, Office(Word, Excel, Power Point), 3D printing(Stratasys), Medical Packaging

Development of new RFID packaging methods for medical implants and devices.

Testing and evaluation of concepts and best practices.

Designed packaging that used existing package systems and methods that were already implemented world wide. Designed new methods and techniques to assist hospitals and doctors in the use of FDA mandated device identification.

Created rapid prototypes (Stereolithography models) of concepts for testing and verification of process.

Designated to the injection molder which dimensional changes to get to the part to mold properly. We only had .015” to work with, the molder wanted to add .060”. Added .005” in the right places and formed a quality part that still allowed us to use existing packaging.

Added a key security feature that backed up the original “tamper proof” design that failed without requiring new tooling.

February 2010-September 2013

Kohler Company-Sheridan, AR

Sr. Project Engineer:

Pro-Engineer Creo, Office(Word, Excel, Power Point), Six Sigma(Yellow Belt), DFEMA, PFEMA, PPAP

New product quoting for injection molding, chrome plating, and assembly, manual and automation. Quote turn around time of same or next day. When a bid was accepted I took the project from initiation to production to PPAP approval and sample runs.

Worked with tool and die shops to make necessary changes to bring part into conforming specifications. Also worked with tool and die shops to repair damaged tooling even though they didn’t build the tooling and we didn’t have drawings for the mold parts made overseas.

Start up of automation for lights out operation of 24 molding machines. This involved part removal from the machine, testing of cooling systems for the most efficient cooling method, part assembly by robotic assembly cells, reprogramming of the cells to increase efficiency and automated packaging.

Started with over a 200 second cycle time and got the cycle time down to 165 seconds on some machines and 185 seconds on others. I took assembly time from 55 seconds to 40 seconds, working towards 30 seconds or less. Testing, evaluation and efficiency of manufacturing systems for the best possible configuration. Worked with all personnel from tooling to manufacturing to operators to develop the most user friendly and maintenance free designs.

Capital planning and submission of timelines for projects, design of systems. Made presentations of new products and ideas to management and plant personnel for approval and to show how systems were supposed to work.

Did hands on training with operators to gain a feel for what it took to put parts together and what to expect from a robotically designed system.

Took Yellow belt training for Six Sigma and Pro-Engineer Creo training. ISO 9000 and Total Quality Management TQM. PFEMA, PPAP

October 2005-October 2009

Alcoa Aluminum Products-Magnolia, AR

Design Engineer:

Solidworks 2005, Microsoft Office, CNC Mill, Manual mill & lathe, Aluminum TIG welding, Powder Paint, Robotic Welding, Anodizing, Aluminum Extrusion

Finalized designs for new product lines that they were stuck on.

Designed several new aluminum fencing systems working out all aspects from functionality to production to installation instructions.

Project lead working with in-house engineers, sales and marketing to develop a user friendly product line that was better than existing systems. Once a design was finalized I designed the assembly fixtures and work flow process for the most efficient assembly. This involved manual labor and robotic welding.

Took training from Lincoln Welders Inc. on how to program robotic welding.

Took a welding process from 15 minutes down to 4 minutes or less. Built custom fixtures to aid in production and reduce worker fatigue. Built an adjustable stair system that was OSHA compliant in all installed situations reducing returns and shipping cost by 30%.

Worked with aluminum extrusions, die casting, powder coating, and anodizing. Built several prototypes in house using CNC mill and other machines in the tool and die shop.

Learned CAM programming using BobCAD and ESPRIT. Programmed robotic welder. Revised production methods for more efficient operation.

Developed two products that are patented: Pat#’s: 201******** & 201********

March 2004-June 2005

Engineered Specialty Plastics-Hot Springs, AR

Project Engineer:

Quoted on new products for a fully custom molding facility. Worked with Maytag, Gracious Living, Boeing and Sterilite.

Set up U cell production cells for multiple assemble configurations. Worked with several outside sales people quoting new and existing products.

Did conceptual sketches for new products for quoting and customer approval. Worked with tool and die shops and material suppliers to get the best possible pricing.

Took training on how to run a CMM, Coordinate Measuring Machine. We had portable unit that we measured parts in a climate controlled lab and also took out to the machines to measure molds for wear and to evaluate tooling issues on new tools.

June 2001- March 2004

Midnight Designs, LLC-Imperial, MO

Business Owner:

I started my own product design and graphics company specializing in new product development. I filed for and was awarded 1 patent for one of my own products. Patent#: 6730187.

I also designed and marketed another product for myself to Cabela’s sporting goods. Managed packaging, labeling, and production of the products. Took the product to Bass Pro and Cabela’s for marketing. Gained an end cap display for an initial test market of the product.

August 2000-June 2001

Koller-Craft Plastics-Fenton, MO

Project Manager:

Product design (Solidworks) and quoting new jobs for new and existing components.

Setup a paint booth and baking process for painting plastic parts. A minimal primer thickness was to be maintained after drying.

Worked with Custom and Proprietary sales, internal and external tool and die shops and various machine and manufacturing organizations to startup new projects and implement new ideas.

Also available was a paint and plating facility at our disposal which I worked with for new product implementation.

Craig Luedke Page 3

Evaluated Gas Assist molding by several vendors and took training on how to adjust the system reducing part weight and scrap. Brought in a system and did a trial evaluation and sampling on

two parts. On one part we reduced cycle time from 120 seconds to 90 seconds and reduced scrap from 60% to less than 10% on a highly visual acceptable part.

April 1993-August 2000

Action Products-Odessa, MO

Design Engineer:

Started out designing custom proprietary items along with jigs and fixtures for in house use.

Worked with custom vendors to establish jigs and fixtures that met their needs for Value Added Services. Our market was to mold larger items requiring 500 -3000 ton molding machines. We were very diverse and offered sheet metal forming, painting and upholstery work along with building custom jigs and fixtures for each of these departments.

Project lead for Screen Printing operation for our products. I was in charge of this department doing all the computer work, making of the screens, and printing with the assistance of 1-3 people when required.

I was the only engineer so I worked with maintenance, tool and die shops, other engineers, inside and outside sales, and the general work force in the plant to bring projects to completion. Project lead and manager for many projects covering all of our capabilities.

Reduced vinyl scrap by changing the pattern slightly by13% while increasing productivity and efficiency by 16%.

June 1992-April 1993

Custom-Pak-Clinton, IA

Design Engineer:

Designed custom blow molds using AutoCAD and CADKEY from Blueprints, sketches, Photographs, and actual parts.

Required taking mold from start to finish dealing with internal and external tool and die shops, Programmers, Sales, Plant supervisors and the customer to get a quality end product.

Designed parts for Craftsman, Newco, Cramer and Fisher-Price.

Designed a custom chainsaw case for Poulan/Husquavarna that is still in use today, 2014. A larger case was also made a year later copying the same design.

Skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, AutoCad Inventor-3D, Cadkey-3D, Solidworks-3D, Pro-Engineer-3D, Photoshop, Networking, SAP, Yellow Belt, Manual Machine shop, CNC Machine Shop, BobCAD CAM Software and ESPRIT, Welding: stick, MIG, TIG, torch and robotic, AC/DC wiring and schematic reading and troubleshooting: Automotive and Residential/Business.

Craig Luedke Page 4

Contact this candidate