Consultant, Kevin Kennedy Associates Inc.
Providing expertise in mechanical engineering, mechanical design, automation and robotics,
patent infringement and litigation support, systems engineering, manufacturing optimization, expert testimony, and related expertise to a wide variety of clients.
Director of Industrial Solutions, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science, major university
Created and directed the Industrial Solutions program with 3 patents pending. Established the multidisciplinary senior design program that linked industrial needs with student projects and collected $50,000 in support from industry. Developed and taught innovative couses in systems integration.
President and Founder, automation and robotics products firm
Firm provided design and build of grippers, tooling and support equipment necessary for successful operation of material handling equipment, robots, assembly machines, assembly lines, and pick-and-place units. Responsibilities included corporate management, sales and marketing, product development, production, finance, and marketing communications. Sold products to end users that included Harley-Davidson, SKF Bearing, Ford Motor Co., Johnson Controls, US Filter and others. Invented patented Multi-Position Self-Locking Gripper. Designed and implemented a sales, marketing and distribution network for custom-made products. Originated and reduced the operating cost of the corporation in design, accounting, purchasing, scheduling and work processing through computer program integration and management (CPIM).
Senior Market Development Engineer, General Electric Company, Specialty Materials Department, Worthington, OH
Coordinated "Man-Made" diamond product development, fabrication, testing, marketing and sales. Wass responsible for two COMPAXTM product lines; developed and patented three diamond products. Replaced mined natural diamond with diamond made from graphite on mechanical presses. Justified and introduced thermally stable COMPAXTM blanks with proprietary diamond crystal structures. Identified future customers and markets of interest (MOI). Completed eight international marketing trips to Japan, Germany, UK, France, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland and Romania.
Project Engineer, Whirlpool Corporation, Laundry Group, Benton Harbor, MI
Invented, designed and developed appliance improvements for washing machines, clothes dryers, trash compactors, microwave ovens and garbage disposals. Performed patent functions including notebooks, invention disclosures, applications, drawings and claims. Provided support to patent attorneys on independent and dependant claims, royalties, non-exclusive licenses and infringement. Products include vibration balance mechanism, polypropoline plastic foot, water valve, motor, clutch, gear drive, pump, timer, blower, heater, ice maker, agitator, compressor, evaporator and condenser.
Manufacturing Research Engineer, Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI
Invented, designed and developed manufacturing machinery for washing machines, clothes dryers, trash compactors, microwave ovens, garbage disposers, refrigerators, air conditioners and heat pumps. Products included automatic assembly machinery, DFMA design for manufacture/assembly, robotics and automation. Performed patent functions including notebooks, invention disclosures, applications, drawings and claims. Provided support to patent attorneys on independent and dependant claims, royalties, non-exclusive licenses and infringement.
