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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Faculty >> Curriculum Vitae

Andrew Bekkala

Andrew Bekkala, PhD., P.E.

Professor of Manufacturing Engineering

E – Mail: bekkala@stcloudstate.edu

Office Address: Engineering and Computing Center 101C

Office Telephone: (320) 308-5655 / Office Fax: (320) 308-5653

Education:

  • PhD Engineering Mechanics, Mich Tech Univ 1990
  • MS Mechanical Engineering/Manufacturing, Mich Tech Univ 1979
  • BS Mechanical Engineering, Mich Tech Univ 1976

Interest areas:

  • Control systems, machine controls, automated machine design.
  • Robotic systems design and control, robust control.
  • Quality engineering, design of experiments, robust product design.

Number of years service, date of original appointment and advancement in rank:

8.0 years, August 1990, Tenured June 1995, Professor 1996.

Other related experience: teaching, industrial, etc.:

  • Michigan Technological University, Instructor, M.E. 1982-90
  • California State University, Chico, Assoc. Prof., M.E. 1978-82
  • Travel Accessories, Orland CA, Director Engineering 1977-78
  • Eaton Corporation, Southfield MI, Product Engineer 1975-77

Consulting, patents, etc.:

  • Fabricated steel product design summer 1999.
  • Plant layout, steel fabrication consulting summer 1998.
  • Production team training, SaunaTech, Cokato summer 1997.
  • Factory Ambient Air Conditions Study, Frigidaire, St. Cloud summer 1997.
  • Tractor-Trailer Dynamic Structural Analysis, Jennie-O Foods, Willmar summer 1996.
  • Automation training project, Frigidaire, St. Cloud Sept., 1995-1999.
  • Flight Controller Design, Rockwell International (with James Rankin) summer 1995.
  • Beam line CNC automation controls, Jansteel, Maple Plain summer 1994.
  • Plant layout and material flow, SaunaTech, Cokato summer 1993.
  • CNC tube punch controller design, DriSteem, Eden Prairie summer 1992.
  • Interchangeable die system design, Webway, St. Cloud summer 1991.
  • Multiloop temperature controller design, Webway, St. Cloud summer 1991.
  • Lens generator controller, FB Optical, St. Stevens summer 1991.
  • Patent #461372, Caliper Guide Assembly for Disc Brakes, July, 1984.

State(s) in which registered:

  • California: Mechanical, Manufacturing (both by NCEE examinations).
  • Minnesota: Mechanical, Manufacturing (both by reciprocity).

Principal publications of last five years:

  • "Design for Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing" , Bekkala, Annual Meeting of the Academy of Industrial Engineers, Colima, Mexico, Nov. 24, 1999.
  • "Electrostatic Separation of Various kinds of Plastics and Papers", T.Fujita, M.Imai, N.Haruki, B.Jeyadevan, T.Miyazaki and A.Bekkala , Proceedings of Fifth International Symposium on East Asian Recycling Technology, Tsukuba, Japan, June 15-17, 1999.
  • "The Challenge of Designing Lifecycle Quality Products", Bekkala, 3 rd International Conference on Materials Engineering for Resources, Proceedings ICMR'98, KA-31, pp.136-146, 1998.
  • Editor, ABET Self Study Questionnaire Volumes I & II, 1995.
  • Senior Design Projects in Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering , Bekkala , et. al., Annual Conference Proceedings, American Society for Engineering Education, 1995, p378.
  • The Capstone Design Experience in Manufacturing Engineering , Bekkala and Yu, , ASEE-NMS Conference, ST Cloud MN, 1995.
  • Editor, ABET Self Study Questionnaire Volumes I & II, 1994.
  • Industry Projects in Manufacturing Engineering , Bekkala , VII Simposium Internacional de Ingenieria Industrial, Juarez, Mexico, 1994.

Scientific and professional societies of which a member:

  • American Society of Engineering Educators 1994-present
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers 1986-present
  • Society of Manufacturing Engineers 1990-present

Honors and Grants:

  • Invited speaker. First Annual Meeting of the Academy of Industrial Engineers, Colima, Mexico, Nov. 23, 1999.
  • Invited speaker. Third International Conference on Materials Engineering for Resources, ICMR'98, Akita, Japan, Oct., 26, 1998.
  • MJSP Grant for training of Frigidaire employees, $88 k, 1995.
  • Invited speaker. VII Simposium Internacional de Ingenieria Industrial, Juarez, Mexico, 1994.
  • SME Education Grant for equipment, travel, in-kind contributions, $30k, 1993

Other assigned duties performed during the academic year:

  • Advisor for all students in the MME major.
  • College Curriculum Review Committee.
  • Frigidaire automation training program coordinator.
  • Faculty and technician search committee chair.
  • Faculty advisor for industry funded student projects.