News & Feedback

The 501C3 organization was founded here in Chattanooga in 2017 to promote STEM education through robotics. The local organization followed the national organization FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).  FIRST was founded as a non-profit organization by Dean Kamen in 1989,  to promote STEM knowledge in the way sports activities are promoted.

Programs supported by FIRST:

FIRST Lego League (FLL) Discover (K-1)

FLL Explore (grades 2-4)

FLL Competition (grades 4-8)

FTC (grades 7-12)

FRC (grades 9-12) 

TNVR programming now also include VEX.  VEX REC Foundation (Robotics Education & Competition Foundation) is the non-profit arm of VEX.

Programs supported by VEX

VEX GO (2-4)

VEX 123 (4-6)

VEX IQ Challenge (4-8)

VEX Robotics Competition (6-12)

VEX U (University)

Newest addition - MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) Competition, with programs:

SCOUT (K-4)

NAVIGATOR (5-8 & 9-12)

RANGER (5-8 & 9-12)

EXPLORER (community and technical colleges, universities)

There will be a competition at GPS in 2022. The Tennessee Aquarium and UTC are co-sponsors.

Volunteer Opportunities

FLL – Need volunteers for

                12/4/2021 at Hunter Middle School in Ooltewah, TN

                12/11/2021 at Adairsville Middle School, Adairsville, GA

                1/29/2022 at Volkswagen Chattanooga Conference Center

Contact Scott Rosenow or Richard Manning

VEX IQ Competition – Need volunteers for

                11/20/2021 at Volkswagen Chattanooga Conference Center

                Contact Scott Rosenow

               

MATE – Need volunteers for

                May 2022 @ GPS (date TBD)

                Contact Tracy Hightower

FTC – Need volunteers for

                February 2022 at MTSU (date TBD)

                Contact Richard Manning

FRC – Need Mentors for CGLA

Contact Richard Manning

Greenpower USA electric racers – Need volunteers for

                November 19 & 20 at Ross’ Landing

                Contact: Kelley Cureton

Email:

Kelley Cureton - kelley@greenspaceschattanooga.org

Tracy Hightower - tehighto@tva.gov

Richard Manning – rpmanning@tnvrobotics.org

Scott Rosenow – serosenow@tnvrobotics.org

Nomination committee consisting of three past presidents, Grady Stout, Harry Hawkins, and Lulu Copeland announced the following:

Nomination for President – Gabe Kurtz

Gabe Kurtz, PE, licensed in Tennessee.  Gabe graduated with BS in Electrical Engineering from UTC and MBA from Tennessee Tech.  He is a Senior Program Manager of NERC Compliance with TVA.  He has been with TVA for over 17 years.  Gage is an EPRI Advisor and a member of Southeast American Power Dispatchers Association.  Gabe is a NERC Certified System Operator in Reliability.  Gabe is a member of IEEE and is currently serving as Vice President of Chattanooga Engineers Club

Nomination for Vice President – George Aslinger

George Aslinger is a Solution Consultant with University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services. George holds a MS in Operations Management from Georgia State University and a BS in Engineering from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. George is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt with years of coaching and training experience.  George has supported many companies in the region on process improvement projects.

The nomination committee will accept additional nominations until date of election.

Election will be on November 8.

It was great to see our members in person at Chattanooga State on October 4th.  Annually, Chattanooga Engineers Club in support of the annual MFGDay in October and have coordinated and collaborated with many partners on tours to promote manufacturing in our region.  We kicked off the month on October 4th at Global Center for Digital Innovation (GCDI) and Chattanooga State Center for Engineering Technology Arts & Science (CETAS).

This was CEC's first in person event in 2021.  We did have an extra treat to pose for a group picture at the entrance to the new additional of CETAS. We noticed the beautiful installation by Branch Technology. 

Jason Vereschak, Senior Design Associate at Branch Technology, explained the Facade reclad project was created using company's C-Fab technology to freeform 3D-print the screen-like panels. The panel components were printed with a Carbon Fiber Reinforced ABS Plastic using 4 up-fitted Kuka robots. The screen consists of 2500 ft² building coverage and 400 ft³ of printed volume. There are 4 unique panel geometries within 72 individual printed parts.  

The design nods to the iconic V-shaped column at the entry of the building. Upon arrival, the 3D printed screen functions as a way finding element with the V-shape panels marching along the length of the building façade while guiding the visitor to the main entrance. The finish colors of the screen are complementary to the overall building aesthetic and as a result the 3DP screen becomes more of a tactile element. 

This was an added benefit of the tour.

As stipulated in the By-Laws of the Club, the President shall appoint Nominating Committee, consisting of three Past Presidents of the Club, which shall present the report (nominations) in October.

Lulu Copeland (2001), Harry Hawkins (2015) and Grady Stout (2020) will serve as members of this year's nominating committee.

Nominations of the nominating committee shall be made known at the third regular Club meeting prior to the date of election. Additional nominations from the floor shall be called for at this same meeting and at the next regular Club meeting. - Any nominations from the floor must have had the consent of the person nominated that the person will serve if elected. - A floor nomination must be seconded in order to be considered for election.

Please contact any of the nominating committee members if you are interested in serving the Club.

Confluent Medical Technologies, a new operation in Chattanooga, recently started production. The company's primary capabilities include: Nitinol components, balloon expandable stents and balloon catheters, delivery systems, biomedical textiles, access kits, and guidewires.  

They are looking for a Quality Engineer I to join the Chattanooga Team. 

A qualified candidate will:
 

• Diagnose and resolve manufacturing and quality system issues
• Provide guidance and generate reports for topics involving statistical analysis, including sample size requirements, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, calculation of confidence / tolerance intervals, and Design of Experiments (DOE)
• Investigate and manage customer field complaints, SCAR’s and internal CAPA’s.
• Represent Quality Assurance for Non-Conformance Report dispositions, and coordinate monthly Oversight Review Board presentation
• Participate on cross-functional teams to develop new projects
• Revise and provide training to manufacturing documents and other quality-related topics
• Interface with customers and suppliers as needed for quality issues and project requirements
• Create and/or approve validation protocols and reports and other technical documents
• Follow all safety and production standard operating procedures.
• Examine incoming materials and finished goods by performing visual and dimensional inspection to determine if product meets specifications.  Reject, segregate and report unacceptable materials.
• Document the inspection results by completing reports and logs.
• Review Lot History Records to ensure their completeness and correctness.
• Constant vigilance and implementation of GMP and GDP practices.
• Assist in gauge tracking, performing calibration activities, as needed.
• Identify and record problems relating to product, process and quality systems.
• Suggest actions for continual improvement to products, processes or systems and support the implementation of solutions.
• Communicate with manufacturing and engineering personnel regarding quality issues.
• Perform internal audits.

Please find additional details and apply through the job site.

Production Development Engineer

Full Time / R&D / Dayton, TN, US

Responsibilities  

• Develop, configure, and optimize processes from R&D trials through to start up and quality certification 

• Conduct new product outputs and test series: prepare plans, specifications, control and collecting results 

• Prepare and arrange output reviews  

• Manage profile drawings (plan, draw, develop and maintain) 

• Continuous development of Nokian Tyres products (e.g., modulation, cycle times and equipment) and control operational quality while decreasing quality costs 

• Maintain and develop recipe library 

• Assess processes, take measurements, and interpret data 

• Develop best practices, routines, and innovative solutions to improve production rates and quality of output 

• Provide testing results and all necessary reports as needed 

• Review existing tire specifications periodically to ensure that they meet all current standards 

• Follow cut tire analysis results to detect any problem areas of specification conformance 

• Maintain an awareness of defect levels on tire specifications and determines causes for and solutions to defect problems 

• Validate process and test method activities by developing and executing procedures for new or existing products or processes 

• Responsible for the process of problem solving in production processes with the goal of reducing product defects  

• Review and evaluate changes to general product specifications and directs the revision of plant general specifications to ensure that they are capable of efficiently producing a consistent, high quality product 

• Issue special projects requested by R & D to evaluate new production features 

• Issue testing instructions and reports on all project results including process ability of changes and the effects on tire performance 

• Establish periodic contact with R & D to maintain an awareness of new technical developments 

• Analyze adjustment return tires to determine cause of failure, possible product improvements, and reviews any defective workmanship with production personnel 

• Develop and implement statistical methods and design of experiments to support process/product control and improvement 

• Work with all departments in the development of new processes, initiatives, and projects to provide necessary cross-functionality and risk mitigation 

• Ensure maintenance and effective functioning of the Quality Management System in accordance with ISO 9001, IATF 16949 and ISO 14001 standards  

• Follow all company environmental rules/procedures and handle all materials in a manner designed to minimize environmental impact  

• Follow OSHA and company safety rules/procedures (including Lock Out/Tag Out policy) so as to prevent injury to self and others and to maintain safe equipment and conditions in entire area of responsibility  

• Maintain all necessary records in the working documentation / computer-aided production control systems, proper accounting of products and defects 

• Other duties as assigned 

Skills/Qualifications 

• Excellent communication/interpersonal skills as role requires global interaction for support, audits and training 

• Demonstrated ability to work on complex issues and to develop resolutions via in-depth evaluation of factors and/or frequent use of creativity 

• Capability to professionally deal with changing priorities and requirements 

• Thorough understanding of engineering principles and practices 

• Team player attitude 

• Objective judgment and fact-based decision-making approach 

• Knowledge and experience with statistical methods, such as regression and correlation. High level understanding of statistical packages and databases, especially Microsoft office and Mini tab 

• Ability to accomplish assignments in a logical fashion, using existing technology and standardized methodologies 

• Strong multitasking competency 

Requirements  

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering preferred and/or equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position 

• Minimum of 3 years manufacturing experience in tire industry 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications 

• Must be available to work overtime and weekends when needed 

• Must be willing and able to travel to Finland and/or Russia for training as needed 

For additional details and to apply directly here.               

March Adams & Associates is seeking a Civil Engineer. Job description includes site development design for commercial and industrial developments, to include site layout, grading, storm water management, sediment and erosion control, and site utilities routing.
Required Qualifications
·      Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering
·      Has passed the FE exam
 
Preferred Qualifications
·      Experience in AutoCAD Civil 3D
 
Benefits
·      Medical/Dental/Life Insurance
·      401K Plan
·      Long-Term Disability
·      Short-Term Disability
·      Paid Holidays/Vacation/Sick time

This post is on March Adam's Linkedin page.

Qualified and interested engineers can also send email to mailto:marchadams@marchadams.com

Chattanooga-based associations in architecture, construction, engineering, and design are seeking submissions for people and projects that highlight the best of the best in the building industry.

Submissions for the sixth annual BRIC Awards, hosted by and benefiting the ACE Mentor Program, are now open until October 15^th.

Awards will be presented for Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice in the following categories:

• AIA: Design Awards
• AGC: Excellence in Construction
• ASID: Residential, Commercial and Student Project
• ASLA: Award of Excellence
• green|spaces: Sustainable Project, Business and Professional
• ASCE/CEC/SWE/TSPE: Outstanding Engineering Project
• CSI: Innovative Collaboration
• HBAGC: Excellence in Building

Full application instructions for each award can be found at http://www.bricawards.org.

People’s choice and official judging will take place from October 15^th – October 31^st via the bricawards.org website. As COVID-19 social distancing regulations are updated, the awards committee will determine when and how to present the final awards. If a banquet is to be hosted, it will potentially take place in mid-November.

“We have an incredible number of high-quality projects that are produced by outstanding professionals in the building industry every year in Chattanooga, and the BRIC Awards provide an opportunity for us to recognize those who are excelling in their professions and in the community.  The BRIC Awards aligns with the ACE Mentor Program mission of developing partnerships and recognizing excellence, while supporting our ability to fund scholarships to encourage high school students to pursue higher education and careers in the Architecture, Construction and Engineering professions” stated Brian Horne, Director of Engineering, March-Adams & Associates and current ACE Mentor Board President.

The ACE (Architecture, Construction and Engineering) Mentor Program serves to promote careers in the design and construction industry to high school students.  During the program, ACE mentors meet with teams of local high school students to share with them about the design and build processes through project meetings, site visits, and hands-on activities.  Each year student teams are given a real-world project and work with their mentors to prepare innovative design and construction solutions.  At the end of the program students present their professional work at our annual scholarship banquet.  Each year through the generous support of local organizations, companies, and individuals ACE has the opportunity to provide scholarship to local students to help them pursue A-C-E career fields through education and training opportunities post-high school.  ACE is actively working in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia to invest in the future of the local design and construction workforce. 

Find more about ACE: http://acementor.org/

 

Arch Plastics Packaging (ARCH) is a reliable producer of Quality Plastic Containers with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The company has specialized in the production of High-end HDPE and PET plastic containers for the Pharmaceutical, Personal Care and Food Industries since 2006. As a Primary Packaging supplier, Arch follows stringent requirements meeting the customer requirements using key procedures covering all aspects of the business operations.

Arch is seeking a qualified professional for a “Quality Engineer” position and some of the key job responsibilities are as follows:

• Review the customer requirements for the products and provide the qualitative support to the manufacturing unit.
• Provide the quality Engineering interface for the customer, supplier and the assigned product teams.
• Able to perform and document all new product qualifications / product setups on the vision-based measurement system.
• Preparing the quality plans & new product specification documents for the qualified products.
• Releasing the production LOT’s for shipments by analyzing the QC test results.
• Review the OOS (Out of Specification) results of the measurements and provide the necessary Engineering feedback.
• Review the Quarantined (ON HOLD / REJECT) finished products / raw materials with proper Authorization to ensure they meet the compliance.
• Conduct and act as a supporting lead in conducting the supplier-based audits and review the critical action items from time to time, ensuring that the supplier meets the necessary requirements.
• Ensure that the plant employees follow the cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices), perform Weekly / Monthly GMP Audits.

Perform proper Root Cause Analysis of all action items, using 8D tool model in proposing the Corrective / Preventive (CAPA) actions needed from the internal / external audits.

Requirements –

The position requires a minimum of bachelor’s degree in Engineering or relevant experience in the field is considered. Candidate should be able to

• interpret and understand the drawing specification, tolerances, procedures for inspection and the application of sampling plans.
• use the inspection devices such as calipers, gauges.
• use MS-EXCEL, WORD & PowerPoint for project documents.

Knowledge of Minitab is a plus.

If you are interested in the above position, please sent resume to lulucopeland@gmail.com to be forwarded.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College of Engineering and Computer Science presents The 2021 Technology Symposium

This year’s 4th annual event is called Reimagining Innovation and will be held virtually on April 16, 2021.

The Technology Symposium showcases innovative research projects conducted across multiple disciplines including engineering, engineering technology management and computer science.

After a strong showing at the Downtown Public Library last year with more than 700 attendees, the 4^th annual Technology Symposium will be held virtually.

More than 100 projects will be showcased.  Projects are from students at the UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science, Chattanooga State, Cleveland State and Dalton State, and from area high schools, as well as companies in the region.

The organizers are asking members of the community to register to attend, share the event in social media, and volunteer an hour to judge 5-7 projects.  

People of all backgrounds, industries, and specialties are invited to judge, as students need feedback from those within and outside STEM fields.

Judging is open from 10-Noon and you can participate from your computer.

Please sign up at the link below by April 9.

Please check out the event website (https://new.utc.edu/engineering-and-computer-science/technology-symposium)to register to attend and volunteer to judge

There is no cost to attend.