Greg Leeder

1232 Illsley Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46807 ~ gregory.leeder@alumni.kettering.edu ~ 260.456.3824

Summary of Qualifications
Resourceful, versatile mechanical engineer with strong organizational and problem-solving skills. Extensive vehicle engineering experience ranging from pickup trucks to Class 8 tractor-semitrailers. Disciplines include vehicle dynamics (test & simulation), suspensions, brake systems, powertrain installations, transmission design & development, performance testing/evaluation, data acquisitionanalysis-interpretation, technical writing & presentations. Conceptual-analytical abilities balanced with a practical hands-on sense for mechanical systems and manufacturing processes.

Experience
Senior Engineering Analyst, 1999-present, Navistar, Inc./International Truck and Engine Corp./ Navistar International Transportation Corp., Truck Development and Technology Center, Fort Wayne, IN. Served multiple roles within the Vehicle Dynamics Group (VDG): physical testing 1999-2004, multi-body dynamics simulation (MSC/ADAMS) 2004-2011, testing 2011-present. Product Development Program Activities Developed analysis plan for dynamics modeling; delivered handling, braking, ride quality, and durability loads predictions. Created templates, subsystems, assemblies; managed the database. Worked with Structural Analysis to obtain an all-inclusive updated cab FE model, bringing attention to signicant mass increase; modied analysis plans to include re-tuning suspensions. Performed all ADAMS modeling for exploratory four-corner cab air suspension, from initial sizing calculations to tuning of stiffness & damping; showed potential to improve ride quality by 24%. Researched Brazil truck weight laws; summarized risks & analysis options; helped set direction. Representing the Physics; Component Characterization Tuned trailing arm bushings to provide correct suspension roll stiffness and roll center height (they were too low by 45% and 33% respectively). Conical degree of freedom was critical. Modied templates to include missing propshaft torque reactions at transmission and drive axle. Organized engine mount characterization study with Trelleborg, using their 3-axis MTS machine; generated drive les from 3-axis load cell test data. Developed time history method to extract stiffness & damping using Excel Solver; stiffness was roughly half the customary 30 Hz value. Flexible Bodies and Finite Elements Created modal neutral les (NASTRAN adamsmnf), using Altair HyperMesh preprocessor. Made design/conguration updates to cab & frame models; added mass for missing components; added stress recovery elements; cleaned up seat suspension model converted from LS-Dyna. Used surfaceless meshing to model an experimental crossmember, without CAD geometry. Tuned ADAMS mnf damping (coefcient & transition frequency) for frame, cab, and suspension components, increasing bandwidth of full vehicle model from 12 to 17 Hz, a 42% improvement. Leaf Springs Created models for 7,000 lb (7k), 12k, 14k, 16k and 23k leaf springs using ADAMS/Leaftool. Evaluated force-deection correlation and investigated effects of altering leaf thickness, camber, width, inactive length, and eye bushing torsional stiffness; checked model mass versus actual. Corrected errors in Leaftool macros; parameterized inter-leaf contact & friction variables. Developed spreadsheet analysis of parabolic taper two- and three-leaf springs, addressing spring rate, thickness proles, stresses in the at-leaf rated load condition, and camber proles in the unloaded condition - allowing leaf spring model creation in advance of supplier involvement.

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Greg Leeder

Senior Engineering Analyst Vehicle Dynamics

CAE Methods and Tools Applied Design of Experiments to cab mounting system ride development project. Overcame nonlinearities and factor interactions by changing from full factorial to response surface design. Developed a revision control system for documenting and managing model changes (assemblies, subsystems, templates, property les); adopted by the multi-body dynamics simulation team. Used TeamCenter and Siemens NX4, NX6 software to explore vehicle master model, collect dimensional data & mass properties, and export parasolids for meshing. Physical Testing and Subjective Evaluation Performed development & validation testing (including subjective ride quality, handling, steering wander; objective roll gradients, frame stiffness, steering wheel vibration, ride quality); resolved prototype vehicle issues; documented development concerns in the Pyxis system. Organized damper tuning for the entire 9000 Series; studied build data to derive a small test eet representing major product variations; tuned dampers in a team effort with VDG colleague. Acquired Class A Commercial Drivers License, with passenger transport endorsement. Developed vehicle handling subjective evaluation teams and methods; expedited team progress with intensive training at NATC. Assessed evaluation scatter; achieved a robust process. Identied shimmy issue with prototype front suspension; helped nd root cause (lateral stiffness decit). Worked closely with suspension supplier on problem diagnosis & design development. Supported upgrade of 10-post ride simulator by reviewing MTS proposals, recommending changes, and performing functional checkout of new digital controls, RPC/Pro software, and new/rebuilt servo valves. System reliability was dramatically improved, and useful life extended. Managed 80-channel tractor-trailer data acquisition project. Investigated, justied, ordered, and expedited $110,000 worth of test equipment; utilized rental equipment to help contain expense.

Previous Experience
Engineering Analyst, 1997-1999, Navistar International Transportation Corp., Fort Wayne, IN Senior Mechanical Engineer, 1993-1997, and Mechanical Engineer, 1991-1993, Transportation Manufacturing Corporation/Motor Coach Industries/North American Coach, Roswell, NM Design & Development Engineer, 1986-1990, New Venture Gear Inc. and Chrysler Corporation, New Process Gear Division, East Syracuse, NY Mechanical Designer, 1985-1986, under contract to Raytheon Company, WSMR, NM Co-op Student, 1980-85, General Motors Corporation, Fisher Body/Fisher Guide, Syracuse, NY

Education
General Motors Institute/GMI Engineering and Management Institute, BSME, 1985. Machine Design specialty. Wrote thesis paper on robotic tooling systems. GMI is now Kettering University.

Patent Applications
Dual Load Path Suspension Assembly with Auxiliary Roll Stiffness - built small working model (on my own time) to demonstrate principles, used this to pitch concept to Chassis management. Vehicle with Angled Link Cab Suspension - simulation results justied physical prototype.

Professional Development

(highlights) Basic ADAMS/Car; HyperMesh Introduction, Modeling and Results Visualization; MotionView, Suspension Director; TruckSim Vehicle Modeling Workshop; MATLAB for Automotive Applications; LMS Introduction to Modal Analysis, Fourier Monitor; Advanced Vehicle Dynamics for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks; UMTRI Mechanics of Heavy Duty Trucks and Truck Combinations.
Greg Leeder ~ 260.456.3824 ~ gregory.leeder@alumni.kettering.edu ~ page 2 of 2