Education

  • Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Washington State University, 1988
  • M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Washington State University, 1984
  • B.S. in Optical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P.R.C., 1965

Faculty Service

Twelve years of service on this faculty.

  • Originally appointed Associate Professor, August 1988
  • Promoted to Professor, August 1996

Professional Experience

  • Director of Engineering, FENA Design, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, 1996 – present
  • Project Leader, W.F. Scarince Inc., Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, 1994 – 1995
  • Chairperson, Metal Processing Advisory Committee for Manufacturing Services of Central Minnesota, 1990 – 1992
  • Vice-Chairperson, Regional Education/Economy Development Task Force, 1989 – 1990
  • Teaching Assistant, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Washington State University, 1982 – 1988
  • Research Assistant, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Washington State University, 1982 – 1988
  • Project Engineer, Shanghai No. 2 Optical Instrument Works, Shanghai, P.R.C., 1982 – 1988
  • Production Engineer, Shanghai No. 2 Optical Instrument Works, Shanghai, P.R.C., 1965 – 1988

Consulting and Patents

  • MTS Systems Co., Eden Prairie, Minnesota — Alternative manufacturing for cost reduction, 1999 – present
  • The Antioch Company, St. Cloud, Minnesota — Product design, manufacturing, and industry/university partnership, 1996 – 1998
  • Mayer Associates, Minneapolis, Minnesota — Initial design and analysis of a ratchet wrench, 1990 – 1992
  • Custom Products, Litchfield, Minnesota — Reduction of cycle time for design and prototyping, 1991
  • Patent: US 6,231,067 B1, Motorized Standing Wheelchair, May 15, 2001

Professional Registration

None

Selected Publications

  • Yu, W., and Wade, P., "The Design of a Standing Wheelchair by University Engineers," Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Symposium of Industrial Engineering, September 2000.
  • Zong, Y., and Yu, W., "Integrating Course Design with Real World Problem Solving," Proceedings of the ASEE-NMS Conference, 1996.
  • Yu, W., and Zong, Y., "Learning Organizations for Continuous Improvement," Proceedings of the 5th Industrial Engineering Research Conference, 1996.
  • Yu, W., and Bekkala, A., "The Capstone Design Experience in Manufacturing Engineering," ASEE-NMS Conference, 1995.

Professional Memberships

  • American Society for Engineering Education
  • Society of Manufacturing Engineers
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Honors and Awards

  • Guest Professor, Shanghai University of Engineering and Technology, 1997 – present
  • Nominated for the Outstanding Contributions Award by the Dean of the College of Science and Technology, 1991
  • Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, 1984 – present

Institutional and Professional Service

  • ABET Compliance Coordinator
  • Designated Advisor of Pre-Engineering Students
  • Chair, Faculty Search Committee
  • Member, College of Science and Engineering Curriculum Committee
  • Coordinator of Senior Design Projects
  • Participation in the design and planning of the newly established Mechanical Engineering Program
  • Participation in the design and planning of M.S. programs in Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Participation in Industry Advisory Board activities

Professional Development

  • Conference of Learning Organizations, Shanghai, P.R.C., 1999
  • North American Collegiate Entrepreneurial Conference, Chicago, April 1998
  • Pro/Manufacturing Basic Milling Training, Seattle, May 1997
  • St. Cloud Area Leadership Program, 1997
  • Various professional workshops