ASM International San Fernando Valley Chapter Presents

April 2006 Meeting

Failure Analysis Roundtable   Hosted by the CSUN Student SAMPE Chapter   Dr. Scott Schroeder, Exponent – “The Interdisciplinary Nature of Failure Analysis” This presentation describes the multidisciplinary nature of failure analysis, including civil engineering, environmental science, materials science, and mechanical engineering. Three case studies are described that exemplify typical investigation of industrial incidents. Dr. Scott Schroeder is a Managing Engineer in Exponent’s Mechanical Engineering and Materials/Metallurgy practice. His areas of expertise include structural mechanics, powder metallurgy, rapid prototyping, mechanics of electronic packaging, metallic and ceramic composites, and creep-fatigue interactions. Dr. Schroeder also specializes in thermal/mechanical testing methods and procedures for advanced materials, elevated temperature and cryogenic environments, in situ electron microscopy deformation studies, fractography, and full-field strain mapping techniques. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. Adam Dershowitz, Exponent – “Aviation and Fire Case Studies” In this presentation, Dr. Dershowitz will be discussing several aviation and fire cases that he has been involved with. He will use these case studies to discuss the accident investigation process, which includes documentation, analysis and testing. Dr. Adam Dershowitz is a Senior Engineer in Exponent’s Thermal Sciences practice. Dr. Dershowitz specializes in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. He has expertise in aircraft and spacecraft systems and instrumentation. Dr. Dershowitz studies the interactions of complex systems, including human in the loop systems, the analysis and presentation of high dimensionality and complex data, airplane and helicopter icing, manned and unmanned space vehicles, cockpit displays, control of vehicles, decision making, safety critical software, and he models and analyzes vehicles and systems. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mr. Daren Slee, P.E., Exponent – “Propagating Faults in Circuit Boards” This paper is a review of propagating faults in printed circuit boards (PCBs) from the perspective of using the resulting burn and melted copper patterns to identify likely locations of fault initiation. Visual examination and x-ray imaging are the main techniques for examining PCB propagating faults. Once the likely fault initiation location has been identified, fault tree analysis can be used to determine the root cause for fault initiation. The paper discusses the mechanisms by which PCB propagating faults occur. The method of determining the likely area of initiation of the fault using visual examination of the PCB burn pattern, x-ray imaging, and the layout artwork for the PCB is discussed. The paper then goes on to discuss possible root-causes for the initiation of PCB propagating faults and some of their considerations. Mr. Daren Slee is a Managing Engineer and the Electrical Laboratory manager based in Exponent’s Los Angeles, California office. Mr. Slee specializes in electrical engineering issues such as: Failure analysis and testing of battery packs and battery life testing on handheld and notebook computers, Electrical cause for fire investigations, and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) related investigations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Suggested parking in Lot G4, accessed from Zelzah Ave. Parking fee is $4 obtained either at the kiosk or from the yellow self-service parking dispenser along the main sidewalk. Allow ample time to arrive and find parking. Carpooling is highly recommended. The Grand Salon is located on the first floor, at the South end of the University Student Union (USU), just west of the Pub. A map is available at http://www.csun.edu/maps/cm1.html Note: SME members will receive 2 continuing education credits for attending this event.

We thank our Sustaining Members and Corporate Sponsors for their support of the 2005/06 season.
		Pratt Whitney Rocketdyne

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