Eric DeWilde

New Product Development

Based on current sales volumes, design and cost analysis, selected automotive sensor product line to convert from purchase to manufacturing. Established budget, schedule and milestones. Lead design effort, coordinated among four divisions in both the US and Mexico, to create new production area and introduce numerous new processes.

Responsible for the design and production of high-volume, low-cost industrial accelerometer. Implemented first Continuous Flow manufacturing line in company history. Directed transfer of production to an offshore assembly plant in the US Virgin Islands. Introduced the “Team” concept of product design, bringing Quality and Manufacturing Engineering, Marketing, as well as outside vendors into the design process, reducing parts cost up to 50%.

Problem Solving

Took over trailer lighting project from outside consultant, driving project from CAD models to product launch in six months. When product failed to meet customer expectations, created recovery plan to use existing tooling and engineering work to change the basic technology used in the product in six months.

Automotive customer needed a significant increase in the accuracy and repeatability of engine speed sensor performance. Developed unique signal processing system (patented) which allowed the sensor to automatically correct for very small changes in the sensing environment. Improvement in sensor accuracy required development of new test system that was accurate enough to evaluate this new class of sensors. New test system improved accuracy and repeatability of results 100 fold.

Converted configuration system for highly customizable Vibration Monitoring System from paper-based system to one using Excel to generate acceptance test values from sales configuration sheets. Introduced electronic work order system, replacing cumbersome paper-based system. Implemented standardized formats and procedures for the generation of paperwork for work orders. Reduced time required to generate work order paperwork from 5 days to 2.

Cost savings for existing product lines

Re-engineered existing line of temperature sensors. New design using common design elements and DFMA principles across the product line reduced parts cost by 28%. Design change included reducing sensitivity to part-to-part variation, reducing scrap rates by 45%. Effort included transferring production to Mexico.

Skills

Exceptionally strong written and verbal communication skills (Dale Carnegie and Public Relations training, including press conferences, interviews and large-scale sales presentations). Proficient in solving problems and implementing solutions under tight deadlines using 8D tools. Extensive knowledge and training in APQP, FMEA, SPC and DVP&R; certified QS9000 auditor. Excellent computer skills with strong knowledge of Microsoft Project and building tools in Excel and Access.

Education

MBA – University of LaVerne; BS Physics – Cal Poly, Pomona

Professional memberships

Society of Automotive Engineers, Technology and Maintenance Council of the American Trucking Association, Mensa, Sigma Pi Sigma

Inventor

US Patent 6,211,670: Magnetic Sensing Device for Outputting a Digital Signal as a Dynamic Representation of an Analog Signal.
US Patent 6,545,593: AC Filter for Truck Tractor Cable Circuitry.
US Patent 7,106,182: Simplified truck tractor socket wiring.

Author

SAE Paper 2001-01-2788: Improving PLC Performance With An Integral Filtering Module.

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