Mechanical Failure Expert Witnesses: 23

Dan W. Wall, BSME, specializes in the fields of Accident Reconstruction, Biomechanics and Motor Vehicle Injury Causation, Human Factors, and Injury Prevention in Motor Vehicle Design. Mr. Wall is fully accredited with ACTAR (Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction), ACTAR No. 1140.

Dan Wall has conducted scientific and engineering analysis of motor vehicle collisions since 1987 for both plaintiff and the defense in civil and criminal cases. A qualified expert witness since 1987, he has offered litigation support services to insurance companies and attorneys in Arizona, California, Colorado, Tennessee and Louisiana and has testified in both Civil and Federal Courts.

Mr. Wall's past cases have involved commercial vehicle design and analysis, insurance investigations, low speed collisions and injury analysis, motorcycle collisions and rider analysis, vehicle handling and dynamics, seat belt analysis and injury mitigation, tire failures and rollover analysis, general accident reconstruction, and roadway analysis. He has conducted human factor analysis including reaction and perception, environmental effects, and general driver behavior. With a large library and the tools needed to do all types of motor vehicle reconstruction investigations, Mr. Wall is an asset to any team.

Dan Wall currently owns and rides a Harley Davidson Ultra Electra Glide Classic motorcycle and has gone through various levels of motorcycle training. He also has extensive experience as a boat operator and Marine Instructor.

For more information, visit www.wallaccidentreconstruction.com

Also view Dan Wall's article in Attorney At Law Magazine at http://attorneyatlawmagazine.com/phoenix/2014/01/17/accident-reconstruction-expert-dan-wall/

Areas of Expertise:

Mechanical Engineering Biomechanics Human Factors Accident Reconstruction Failure Analysis Forensic Investigation Motor Vehicle Design Dynamics and Handling Motorcycles Commercial Vehicles Rollovers Signage

Conspicuity Low Speed Collisions Marine Safety Bicycles Slip and Fall Accidents Pedestrians Accidents Tire Failure Seat Belt Issues Road Defects Off Road Driving Accidents Construction Zones Product Liability

View Dan Wall's Consulting Profile.

Bransford Pickett, PE, DFE, BSc, MScBA, has over 25 years of experience as a Mechanical Engineer. SEFS expertise includes design and review of material handling equipment, material handling management, and ship board systems. SEFS offers litigation support services for Accident Investigation and Reconstruction covering failure analysis, process simulation, regulatory compliance, equipment reliability, and personal injury / safety. His materials handling and engineering services are offered to attorneys, insurance and end user companies nationally and internationally.

Mr. Pickett is a member on the American Society of Mechanical Engineers B30 committee on Safety Codes and Standards for cranes and rigging as well as a member of several subcommittees. He is also a member of American Society of Mechanical Engineers P30 Committee- Planning for the Use of Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Cableways and Lifting Accessories. ASME BTH Standards Committee.

Mr. Pickett is a Professional Engineer, and holds a BSE from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a MScBA in Finance from San Diego State University, as well as a board certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer. He has qualified as an expert witness in the State of New York Supreme Court and the State of California Supreme Court.

Accident Investigation:

• Man baskets, Forklifts, Scissors Lifts, Aerial Lifts, Rigging Gear, Hydraulic Jacks, and Hydraulic / pneumatic Lift Systems, Automotive Lift Systems, Conveyors, Pallet and Packages Conveyors, Pneumatic Systems, Machine tools, Boats, Barges, and Elevators
• Tower, Mobile, Bridge, Truck, Portal, Container, Jib and Floating Barge Cranes, and Derricks
• Operator training compliance to National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, NCCCO, requirements for tower crane, mobile crane, overhead crane, articulating crane operator training and certification, signal person, and rigger certification
• Compliance covers applicable national and international standards that include the ABS, ASTM, ASM, ASME, ANSI, WSTDA, ALI, etc. and DIN, EN, FEM to list a few. National regulations include state and federal OSHA requirements as well as DOE, military specifications and standards

View Bransford Pickett's Consulting Profile.

Mechanical Engineer - Turbomachinery Expert. Gas turbine engines, steam turbines, jet engines, compressors, pumps, expanders, generators, cogeneration, combustion equipment, diesel engines, and reciprocating compressors. 

Failure analysis, stress analysis, mechanical design, design analysis, troubleshooting, performance analysis, durability assessment. Access to metallurgical laboratory. Experienced Expert witness. 

Please see our Service List at https://sbkushnick.com/servicelist.pdf for a concise description.

Since 1988, Real-World Forensic Engineering, LLC ("RWFE") has provided engineering services to industries and government labs, as well as litigation support to both plaintiff and defense attorneys practicing in many areas.

RWFE Areas of Expertise Include:

Components & Machinery Metallurgy & Corrosion Dynamics of Impact & Collisions Friction Analysis / Slips, Trips and Falls Intellectual Property & Patent Review Accident Reconstruction / Animation Computer Aided Design Education & Training

Electrocution & Switch Malfunction Grounding & Lightning Protection Lightning Impulse Testing Products and Premises Liability & Safety High-Voltage & Current Power Systems Bridge Design and Safety Fire & Explosion Cause and Origin And Much More...

At RWFE, we proudly distinguish ourselves by our Four C's:

CREDENTIALS. COMPETENCE. CREDIBILITY. COMMUNICATION.

Credentials:	B.S., M.S., M.Eng., M.B.A., J.D., and Ph.D. Degrees Licensed Professional Engineers in Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineering Tenured University Professors and Professionals NAFI Certified Fire and Explosion Investigators (CFEI) Licensed Master Electricians
Competence:	Over 80 Combined Years of Experience in Engineering R&D, Industry, Academia, Consulting, and Expert Witness Litigation Support Over 120 Combined Deposition and Court Testimonies
Credibility:	Internationally Recognized in Our Areas of Expertise More Than $19 Million in Peer-reviewed and Funded Research Grants Over 200 Combined Scientific Publications and Journal Articles
Communication:	Over 20 Different Undergraduate and Graduate-level University Courses Over 30 Invited Short Courses, Talks, and Lectures

Design Evaluation – Accident Investigation – Intellectual Property - Failure Analysis – Fire Cause & Origin – Component Testing - Computer Aided Drafting – Accident Animation - Expert Witness & Litigation Support

www.ExpertEngineering.com

Expert Background: Dr. Thomas L. Read is the Principal and CEO at A. Read Consulting, LLC. He received his PhD. from Stanford University in 1972 and has over 25 years of manufacturing experience in electronics, metallurgy, factory safety, failure analysis, glass fracture, glass failure and bottle failure. As a member of the electronics industry, he has earned process patents and has an extensive background in manufacturing techniques. In parallel, Dr. Read has spent over twenty five years as a consultant to attorneys and engineers. He has given more than 100 depositions and has appeared in court numerous times. Company Profile: Read Consulting, LLC is a full service laboratory providing services in the following areas:

• Failure Analysis; Factory Safety and Personal Injury (including machine guards and manufacturing safety)
• Glass Failure Analysis - Glass Fracture, Glass Failures and Bottle Failure
• Metal and Ceramic Failure
• Grinding Wheel Failures
• Intellectual Property and Patent Disputes
• Product Liability and Product Quality
• Manufacturing Disagreements (such as Intellectual Property, Failed equipment and Contract Disputes)
• Reverse Engineering

• BACKGROUND:

40+ years' experience including in product design, product development, and manufacturing in consumer, medical, and industrial product markets. Product innovation part-time academic since 2009, public speaker since 1985. Certified New Product Development Professional (NPDP) since 2008 by the Product Development and Management Association. Member of: Society of Plastics Engineers, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, American Society for Quality. Expert witness services to Product Liability, Intellectual Property, and Commercial Dispute litigators.

• PRODUCT LIABILTY EXPERTISE:

Retained by both plaintiff and defense counsel. Specialize in personal injury cases involving product defects, manufacturing defects, product safety, engineering design, mechanical failures, material failures, product quality assurance, and foreseeable misuse. 

• CASE EXAMPLES:

• Retained in cases involving 3M, Honeywell, Clorox, Ace Hardware, and others. 
• 3M Combat Arms earplug case, retained by two plaintiff firms. More at, https://bit.ly/Forbes-on-3M Daubert ruling at, https://bit.ly/EPR-3MEP-Daubert (Page 98). Two depositions. (Plaintiff) 
• Furniture review of the state of competitive product safety, mechanisms, warnings. Counsel represented major insurance company. Settled after report. (Defense) 
• N95 mask commercial dispute, settled after report. (Plaintiff) 
• Consumer electronics patent infringement, settled after report. (Defense) 

• MORE INFO AT:

Expert witness services offered can be seen at, https://bit.ly/PDEWS Preferred contact: eric@pinnaclepi.com

Content above is a selection of work, current case history available upon request. Expert witness testimonials at, https://bit.ly/EPR-EWT

• EXPERT WITNESS PODCAST INTERVIEW

D. Larry Dunville has over 45 years of Overhead Crane experience. Mr. Dunville has built, installed, engineered, estimated, sold, and serviced overhead bridge cranes. He has sat on the industry committees that wrote the crane specs for the steel industry, written articles, and taught professional architects and engineers about the special requirements required when designing buildings that will house overhead cranes. Larry was formerly the Executive Director of the Crane Certification Association of America and is currently on the ASME/ANSI B30.2 Overhead and Gantry Cranes Committee, ASME/ANSI B30.16 Overhead Hoists, and AIST (American Institute of Steel Technology) TR-13 Guide for the Design and Construction of Mill Buildings.

Business Experience

Mr. Dunville was the Owner and president of Dearborn Crane & Engineering Co., a builder and installer of overhead cranes and crane runway systems, from 1975 to 2012.  Mr. Dunville is the Owner and President of Overhead Crane Consulting, LLC (2016 to present). 

Speaking Engagements

Larry speaks on crane safety, crane inspection, and runway design. In the last year, he has spoken to AIST (American Institute of Steel Technology), CCAA (Crane Certification Association of America), CMAA (Crane Manufacturers Association of America), and FEWA (Forensic Expert Witness Association). 

D. Larry Dunville's Video Introduction 

Litigation Support—Larry Dunville offers expert witness services in crane cases involving industrial, manufacturing, mining, warehousing facilities, and power plants. His expertise is available to counsel representing both Plaintiffs and Defendants. 

Areas of Expertise:

Overhead Cranes Bridge Cranes Overhead traveling cranes Electric Overhead Traveling Cranes Overhead Bridge Cranes Gantry Cranes Jib Cranes Workstation Cranes Hoists Crane Operator Training Workplace accidents Workplace safety Accident Investigation

Monorails Crane Runways Crane Safety OSHA/B30 Crane Safety Requirements Crane Inspection Crane Manufacturing Crane Installation Crane Runway Installation Crane Fabrication Runway Fabrication OSHA Crane Inspections Corporate Crane Safety Programs OSHA authorized training

Overhead Crane Arizona Office 3606 N. Larrea Lane Tucson, AZ 85750 Telephone: 574-210-8612

Overhead Crane Michigan Office 12666 Highland Shore Drive Sawyer, MI 49125 Telephone: 574-210-8612

View D. Larry Dunville's Consulting Profile.

Mechanical Solutions, Inc. (MSI) performs litigation support through its extensive engineering capabilities, and when required, through expert testimony. MSI uses advanced finite element analysis (FEA), rotor dynamics, and torsional analysis tools, and uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to analyze 3-D steady or unsteady fluid flows and heat transfer, enabled by its 230 high speed processor supercomputers.

MSI also uses top-of-the-line testing equipment, including multichannel FFT analyzers (up to 200 simultaneous channels) to accurately read the outputs of various vibration, stress/strain, and pressure sensors, as a function of both time and frequency. As a unique additional test capability, MSI uses motion magnification video cameras to amplify and display scene vibration by 1000x. MSI uses calibrated exciters while equipment remains running, to locate structural, rotor, and acoustic natural frequency resonances as they exist at any particular operating point, without interfering with machinery operation. In addition, MSI performs stress, acoustic, dynamic pressure pulsation, electric current spectrum, and aero/hydraulic performance testing.

Areas of Expertise:

New Equipment Design Computer-aided Analysis Installed Equipment Field Testing and Problem Solution Broken Component (e.g. blades, disks, seals, bearings)  Forensic Analysis Pumps Compressors Fans Turbines

Motors Centrifugal and Positive Displacement (e.g. reciprocating) Configurations Hydraulic Turbine Generators Aircraft Gas Turbine Engines Land-based Gas or Steam Turbine Power Generation Systems Green Energy Power Industry Petrochemical Industry Paper Industry Water Resource Industry

Solving Challenges with Rotating Machinery Vibrations

William D. Marscher, PE, performs expert witnessing and engineering work in the field of Fluid Systems and their Rotating and Reciprocating Machinery, particularly large turbines, generators, compressors, and pumps. His typical work responsibilities include design, analysis, and testing of all types of plant machinery, as well as other types of fluid and mechanical systems. Mr. Marscher has background in various types of turbines (including hydraulic, steam, and gas), as well as various types of pumps, including centrifugal as well as positive displacement (e.g. reciprocating, gear, rotary, and screw).

Mr. Marscher's expert witnessing experience includes 27 cases over the course of his 50+ year career, for which he provided detailed engineering reports in support of the case. This legal support experience includes witnessing in front of tribunals four times, and testifying in Federal Court in four cases. He also has performed depositions 11 times. 

For the past 45 years, Mr. Marscher has been a voting member of the ASTM Fatigue Standards Committee E9, as well as the ASTM Wear & Erosion Standards Committee G2. He is also the past Board of Directors Chairman for the Machinery Failure Prevention Technology Society (MFPT), and has been active in the Vibration Institute. Mr. Marscher is a 23-year member of the Texas A&M Turbine-Pump Users Symposium Advisory Committee (essentially the Board of Directors for the Symposium). For ASME, he was Chair of the Predictive Maintenance committee and was Organizing and Presiding Chair of the 1993 RoCon Rotating Machinery Conference and the 1995 Tribology Conference.

Dr. Edward Bennett is MSI’s VP of Fluids Engineering.  Dr. Bennett graduated from the Naval Academy, following which he was a navy test pilot.  Later he received his PhD in Fluid Dynamics from Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Bennett has been a well-known leader in Fluid Dynamics and the Aero/hydrodynamic Design of Turbomachinery for the past thirty plus years.  

In 1995, Dr. Bennett founded ASC Turbo, a design house that combined the CFD software from Advanced Scientific Computing and specialized turbomachinery design software.  During this time, he worked on the development of BladeGen, a 3-dimensional turbomachinery blade geometry kernel, and also performed a key role design work that included the starter turbine and vapor cycle compressor for the F-22 Raptor fighter, several biomechanical cardiac pumps, a LOX rocket turbopump, as well as numerous more “conventional” turbomachinery designs. After this, he served as Director of Turbopumps for Gencorp Aerojet, and authored the hydraulic design methodology that is still in use by that organization.

At MSI, Dr. Bennett oversees fluid dynamic design and analysis of pumps, compressors, and turbines, including various sizes of hydroturbine generators.  This work includes detailed computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis, as well as test rig design, and flow loop/ wind tunnel validation testing.  Recently, he has supported major law firms with expert report writing and detailed two-phase flow unsteady CFD analysis of 100MW and 400 MW hydroturbines in the US and Canada.

Paul A. Boyadjis is Director of Rotating Machinery Analysis for MSI.  Mr. Boyadjis has a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University where he graduated summa cum laude.  He has over 35 years of diverse experience in the analysis and Design of Centrifugal Pumps and Pumping Systems, as well as Centrifugal Compressors. His specialty includes complex 3D solids modeling for stress and vibration analysis using advanced finite element techniques, and he has worked as a lead analytical engineer for major manufacturers. 

Mr. Boyadjis is also an expert at rotordynamics, and field testing. He has enjoyed participating as a Hydraulic Institute Standards Partner for over a decade, and became vice chair of its Vibration Committee, and was named Standards Partner of the Year in 2021.  Paul played a key role in various standards. 

Years ago, Mr. Mr. Boyadjis developed the solids modeling and advanced finite element analysis capabilities at the Government Marine Business unit of Ingersoll-Rand, and wrote many of the structural and vibration analysis procedures for that division. As mergers took place, he then transferred these analytical capabilities to the Research and Development group of Ingersoll-Dresser Pump and later Flowserve.

While with MSI, Mr. Boyadjis has conducted detailed 3D finite element analysis of failed casings and impellers, performing forensic investigations, and when necessary, providing successful design enhancements for industrial and municipal customers. He has directed or participated in many testing and troubleshooting projects, particularly for water and wastewater pumping systems.

View MSI's Consulting Profile.

Derek B. Gilboe, PE, PEng, CEng MIEI a Metallurgical Engineer with over 30 years of experience, focuses on asset integrity using knowledge of metallurgy, materials, and processes in multiple industries on four continents in environments from arctic to desert in onshore and offshore conditions. He brings extensive knowledge in standards and regulations relating to Oil and Gas Piping and Pipelines.

Mr. Gilboe has experience with operators, service providers, and consultants on projects ranging from $100k to over $5 billion. His specialty has been midstream and piping, focusing on forensic engineering, integrity engineering, and failure investigations.

Litigation Support - Mr. Gilboe provide analysis and opinions for legal cases and is open to any client requiring expert witness services for a legal case or an organization requiring fractional engineering services. He can explain complex engineering concepts, principles, methods, and standards in a clear and understandable way. He analyzes, evaluates, and verifies engineering evidence, such as documents, drawings, calculations, tests, experiments, simulations, or models and provides independent and objective opinions on the engineering aspects of a case, such as causation, liability, damages, or remedies.

Areas of Expertise:

Energy Oil and Gas Pipelines (Gathering, Transmission, and Distribution) Downstream (Refining, Gas Processing, Storage, and Chemicals) Onshore, offshore, desert and arctic conditions Forensic Engineering Metallurgical Engineering Welding Engineering

Design Errors Product Failures Construction Defects Manufacturing Defects Failure Investigations Commerical disputes involving technical matters Energy and construction site safety

LECS (UK) Limited is an International Engineering Firm specializing in Lifts, Escalators, Facade Access and Funiculars (cable cars). With over 20 years of trading history, their specialized engineers are qualified, experienced and carry full professional insurances. Members of the engineering team have all worked for major contractors and have held positions including Senior Engineer, Project Manager and Commissioning / Test Engineers. As a result, LECS has over 150 years of accumulated experience within the key staff of the engineering team and currently employs 10% of the world’s graduates of the MSc in Lift Engineering from the University of Northampton.

LECS (UK) Limited is a member of independent bodies such as ACE, BSI and ConstructionLine. They have an accredited Quality Assurance scheme to ISO 9001 (2008) and are regularly audited. They provide services for many market sectors including overseas projects, hotels, retail, commercial health, local authority and heritage. The engineers at LECS (UK) have extensive experience as Expert Witnesses and Consultants in litigation involving lifts and escalators. Their services include preparing expert reports in accordance with Regulation 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules and also in Criminal cases. They are also available for adjudication and arbitration cases. LECS (UK) expert witness services have been called on in overseas situations including Gran Canaria, Dubai, Hong Kong, Spain and Turkey.

Services Include:

• Expert Witness - Litigation Support
• Statutory Inspections
• Maintenance Audits
• Acquisition & Condition Surveys
• Project Management
• Traffic Analysis
• Risk Assessments
• New Installations & Modernization Specifications
• Maintenance Specifications
• Training
• Portfolio Management

Roger W. Griffith, P.E. is a professional Mechanical Engineer with over 40 years of experience in designing, maintaining, and operating mechanical systems (Plumbing, HVAC, and Fire Sprinkler Systems). As the principal of Griffith Engineering & Consulting for 23 years, his design experience with commercial and industrial projects includes convention centers, schools, office buildings, condominiums, apartment buildings, hotels, manufacturing facilities, medical buildings, restaurants, dormitories, fire halls, and maintenance facilities.

Litigation Support - Since 2002, Mr. Griffith has provided thorough, credible, and timely forensic engineering, consulting, and expert witness services. He also assists clients through the mediation and arbitration process. His expert testimony is based upon independent and impartial investigation, research, analysis, and testing. His services include written reports and the preparation of exhibits. Mr. Griffith's expertise is available to plaintiffs and defendants on the issues of plumbing, mechanical, and fire sprinkler system defects and failures. 

His specific areas of expertise include hot water scalding, carbon monoxide poisoning, and legionella. Mr. Griffith has served on numerous codes and standards committees related to areas, including the NFPA 54 Fuel Gas Code, the ASSE Scalding Awareness Task Group, the Uniform Codes' Legionella Task Groups, and the ICC Plumbing/Mechanical/Fuel Gas Code Action Committee. 

He is a Professional Engineer in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Areas of Expertise:

HVAC Design Plumbing Design Pipe Failures Plumbing Component Failures Sprinkler System Failures

Hot Water Systems / Scalding  Water Heater Failures Gas Venting / Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Fuel Gas Fires and Explosions Legionella

View Roger W. Griffith's Consulting Profile.

Radhakrishnaiah Parachuru is a Textile Engineer with BS, MS and PhD degrees in Textile Engineering & MS degree in Applied Statistics. A multidisciplinary scientist, Dr. Parachuru possesses more than 35 years of teaching, research, and industrial experience in Polymer, Fiber, Textile, Apparel, Carpet, and other related disciplines. 

Serving as the coordinator of industry and public support activities at Georgia Tech, Dr. Parachuru has completed more than 220 applied research projects for the benefit of all segments of the Textile and Allied industries. Projects completed fall in the following categories:

• Product / Process Optimization
• Testing and Evaluation of all Types of Fiber Products Including Woven & Knitted Fabrics, Nonwovens, Carpets, and Technical Textilles
• Flammability Testing of Fabrics, Garments, Carpets and Nonwovens
• Application of Advances in the Materials Field, Especially Advances in Nano and Bio Materials for the Advancement of Fiber Product Industry
• Application of Performance Finishes to Fiber Products Through Wet and Dry Treatments
• Technical Trouble Shooting in Fiber Forming, Spinning, Weaving, Knitting, Dyeing, Printing and Textile Finishing Processes
• Design and Evaluation of New Fiber Products for Application in Medical, Construction, Transportation, etc. Sectors
• Assistance for Product Diversification
• Establishment of Quality Control Facilities and QC Routine

Dr. Parachuru has also conducted basic research in the area of Textile Manufacturing and served as the main advisor of several graduate students at Georgia Tech. He has been an active member of Fiber Society, AATCC, ASTM and TQCA. Dr. Parachuru currently serves as an active member of several AATCC technical committees and also as chairman of the AATCC committee on statistics. His current research interests are in the area of medical and industrial textiles. 

Consultation Services - Dr. Parachuru offers technical consultation to manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers. His services cover the entire spectrum of the fiber product industry. 

Litigation Support - Dr. Parachuru has been qualified as a Fiber / Textile Expert after appearing as an expert in more than SIXTY court cases. His experience covers federal, state, and county courts in multiple states within the United States.

Areas of Expertise:

Polymers Fibers Yarns Fabrics

Garments Carpets Nonwovens  Technical Textiles Textile Testing

Khalid Sorensen, PhD, is a highly accomplished technology leader in Automation, Mechatronics, Motion Control, Manufacturing, Machine Vision, and Human-Machine Interaction. He has over 20 years of experience developing and deploying world-class mechatronic, motion control, and automation solutions.

Dr. Sorensen has directed the development and implementation of 100s of complex, multi-disciplinary mechatronic systems for high-profile industry leaders including Toyota, Ford, Alcoa, Caterpillar, Boeing, NuScale, and many others, and high-profile facilities including Fukushima and Chernobyl.

Litigation Support - Dr. Sorensen has testified in numerous Product Liability and IP disputes – both at the Federal and District court levels, as well as the ITC, USPTO, and US Customs and Border Protection.

Areas of Expertise:

Automation Dynamics and Control Systems Kinematics Machine Vision Manufacturing Mechatronics Photogrammetry Robotics

Segways Sensors Tire Mechanics Traction Control Wheel Slip Vibrations Warnings See Full List

Career Highlights:

• Founded a technology company where he invented and was the Chief Architect of Expertoperator^TM, Safemove^TM, Automove^TM, and Cranevision^TM – technology known within the primary metals, automotive, and heavy-equipment sectors for enhancing crane safety, productivity, and ease-of-use; Developed state-of-the-art, on-line, time-optimal trajectory synthesis software for Cartesian machines - key drivers in the acquisition of his company 5 years after inception by a global leader in automation.
• Served as CTO at PaR Systems, a world-class supplier of large-scale robotic automation, control, advanced manufacturing, and nuclear-handling solutions.
• Founded Finity Engineering, which provides design, analysis, consulting, and litigation support services in the areas of robotics, automation, and mechatronics.
• Adjunct Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech. Teaches various engineering topics including Dynamics, Controls, Vibrations, Mechatronics, the Design Process, Product Development, Engineering IP, Product Liability, and others.
• Invited talks at premiere institutions globally including MIT, Kumoh National Univ. of Tech, Korea Atomic Energy Research Inst., Hyung Hee Univ., Huazhong Univ. of Science & Tech.

View Finity Engineering's Business Consulting Profile.

Dax B. Wells, PE, is an experienced Mechanical Engineer with nearly 20 years in the design, development, testing, and failure analysis of Aerial Lifts and Agricultural Machinery. His career includes direct responsibility for engineering, product safety, structural analysis, prototype development, field evaluations, compliance testing, reliability assessments, and root-cause investigations for complex equipment systems.

Mr. Wells has extensive, hands-on experience with aerial work platform entrapment and tip over cases, including multiple serious-injury and fatal events. His work includes analyzing the interaction between equipment design, operator interaction, platform motion, safety devices, and environmental/jobsite factors. He brings a unique combination of technical engineering expertise, industry standards knowledge, and practical field experience that is critical for accurately assessing liability, causation, and defect allegations.

Litigation Support - Mr. Wells supports attorneys on both plaintiff and defense matters, including early case evaluation. He understands the urgency, clarity, and documentation standards necessary for litigation. He has conducted extensive and in-depth equipment failure analyses in support of attorneys for case evaluation and backing. With extensive experience in product design, development, and failure analysis, Mr. Wells has worked closely with attorneys on equipment assessments for safety risks and causation evaluations. He has experience in expert consulting including testimonial & evidence reviews, equipment assessment, case strategy, and report writing.

Areas of Expertise:

Aerial Lift Agriculture Machinery Aerial Work Platform ( AWP) Boom Lift Mobil Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) Spider Lift Nut Harvesting Equipment Frost Fans

Construction Accident Manufacturing Equipment Weld Failure Weld Design Bolted Joint Metal Failure Analysis Product Design Product Safety

Mr. Wells possesses a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Completed a master’s of science degree with an emphasis in product development and manufacturing systems.  Licensed professional engineer (PE) and trained equipment operator on boom lifts, scissor lifts, and numerous types of construction & agricultural equipment.

Michael A. Pollock, PE, USPTO, is a Mechanical Engineer responsible for the design and engineering of commercial, industrial, manufacturing, institutional, and residential venues, as well as efforts relating to services and products used in and around these facilities. Mr. Pollock's full CV can be viewed at cogentexpert.com.

Business and industries include electronics, safety and construction, building materials, polymers and plastics, instrumentation manufacturing, petrochemicals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, colleges, athletic facilities, textiles, coatings and resins, food storage, biosciences, supermarkets, inks & pigments, automotive, facility and real estate operations, agricultural, transportation, nuclear, healthcare, nutrition, retail, distributors, pulp and paper, packaging, utilities, apparel, and R&D centers.

Litigation Support - Mr. Pollock is a subject matter expert in Commercial and Industrial Engineering Applications and Projects, as well as engineering standards and applicable codes (ASHRAE, ASME, NIST, NFPA, NBIC, ASTM, SAE, LEED, ASCE, GMP, ISA, BOCA, and EPA Regulations.) He has engaged with local, state, and governmental officials and agencies regarding numerous matters over his commensurate years of experience.

Areas of Expertise:

Investment Engineering Economics Mechanical Engineering Standard of Care Architectural Standard of Care Construction Delay Construction Defect Construction Schedule Analysis Accident Analysis Metallurgical Failure Rotating Equipment Electrical Failure Chemical Failure Processes Instrumentation and Controls

Chillers Coatings Refrigeration Thermodynamics Water Treatment Steam Systems and Boilers   Power and Utilities Energy Conservation Environmental Impact Safety HVAC Project Management Product Development

Registrations

• Professional Engineer: PA (PE075410)
• American Bar Association (ABA) – Construction Forum
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Air Act Certification – Universal (includes Chillers, HVAC & Refrigeration)
• United States Patent & Trademark Office Registered (USPTO)                              

Forensic Consulting Experience

Warehouse Distribution Facility – Maryland - Evaluated a $10M (million) claim relating to purported construction defect claims by the 600,000 sq. ft. facility owner against the facility construction contractor and an original equipment manufacturer relating to installed infrastructure in the facility. Developed an expert opinion and expert report regarding the analysis of the purported defects and a proposed repair solution to correct said defects. 

 Psychiatric Hospital Facility – North Carolina – Evaluated a $28M (million) construction claim by the general contractor against a hospital facility concerning a $100M facility construction project.  Developed an expert opinion and report for general construction issues, constructability, design revisions, and corresponding delay analysis for mechanical, HVAC, electrical, smoke and fire, structural, security and building automation systems. 

Forensics Consulting Work-in-Progress 

• 2022 – International Trade Commission (ITC) Matter – Resin Manufacturing Facility Construction Delay / Completeness Analysis
• 2022 – Mechanical Systems Coatings Matter Analysis
• 2021 – Industrial Manufacturing Facility Standard of Care Matter, Construction Defect, Construction Delay     
• 2021 – Electrical Distribution System Construction Defect Matter, Standard of Care
• 2021 – Hotel Facility HVAC Materials of Construction Related Defect Matter