CHANNEL ISLANDS SECTION

NOVEMBER 1997 NEWSLETTER

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Thanks to all who participated in our initial event (see below). I was glad to see everyone enjoying the vivid presentation of JPL’s Linda Robeck.

 As I mentioned last time, it is your participation that makes this section successful. I hope more of you will participate in our future events. To strengthen our ASME organization, we need members to be involved in the activities and to build a strong network of contacts among themselves.

 Take a minute to read the rest of this newsletter. Please contact us with your feedback and comments which will help us to roll out the events that best fit your interests. Thanks.

MARTIAN SUCCESS

 The first event of the revitalized Channel Islands section was a great success. Linda Robeck of Jet Propulsion Laboratory described the Mars Pathfinder mission to about 25 attendees.

 The event began with socializing and dinner. After dinner Ms. Robeck introduced Pathfinder with a brief video. She then narrated a slide show that illustrated each step of the assembly and test of the Pathfinder Lander. While learning about the Lander and its stowaway Sojourner, the audience was privileged to many behind-the-scenes details and anecdotes. Ms. Robeck punctuated her assembly and test chronology with a dramatic video of the launch. Several slides highlighting the mission’s success on Mars followed. Finally, before fielding questions, Ms. Robeck described the current condition of Sojourner and the Lander.

 Enthusiasm and humor combined with informative details to yield a very interesting presentation. We all certainly appreciate the time and effort that Ms. Robeck contributed toward the success of our inaugural event.

ASME/ASQ JOINT EVENT

ENGINEERING QUALITY

NOVEMBER 20, 1997

In today’s global economy, companies are increasingly seizing a competitive advantage through structured process improvement. Join our friends at the American Society for Quality (ASQ) for a presentation on two of the most effective techniques in this discipline.

 Adam Barlow and Amorita Revels-Law both graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with degrees in Industrial Engineering. They now work for Harris Corporation as Process Engineers. Adam will present Demand Flow Technology (DFT), an approach that focuses on customer demand to drive production to the highest quality at the lowest cost. Amorita will present an overview of Kaizen continuous improvement, explaining how the method can rapidly improve processes by as much as 80%.

 As a joint event with ASQ, this evening offers an excellent opportunity to meet a broader variety of engineers. Come to meet new people and to understand the perspective that has sharpened some of the world’s most successful companies. Directions to Marie Callender’s are on the reverse of this newsletter. We’ll see you there!

GETTING THERE

SOUTHBOUND 101 (FROM SANTA BARBARA)

Exit Victoria, turn left.

U-turn at Johnson back to restaurant on right.

NORTHBOUND 101 (FROM THOUSAND OAKS)

Exit Victoria, turn right.

U-turn at Johnson back to restaurant on right.

REGION AND SECTION WEBSITES

Next time you’re browsing the web, check out the ASME Region IX website at:

http://www.primenet.com/~asmer9

Region IX includes California, Nevada, and Hawaii. For a narrower scope, go to the Channel Islands Section site, still in its infancy. Follow "section" links from the ASME International site at:

http://www.asme.org

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

 Do you know an engineering student looking for an excellent internship opportunity? Every summer the Washington Internships for Students of Engineering (WISE) offers a 10 week program that develops an understanding of the relationship between engineering and public policy. WISE participants interact with engineers and officials in Washington, D.C. and prepare papers that examine engineering-related public policy issues. In addition to a $1750 stipend, travel and lodging expenses are provided. Next summer’s program lasts from June 1 to August 7. Applications are due December 19, 1997. For more information contact:

 WISE Program TEL: 412.776.4841 x7476

Attn: Anne Hickox FAX: 412.776.2103

400 Commonwealth Drive EMAIL: anne@sae.org

Warrendale, PA 15096-0001

MEMBER-GET-A-MEMBER

 Increased membership means a stronger section and a closer community of engineers. Besides these benefits, ASME offers some additional incentives for recruiting. In the "Member-Get-A-Member" program, each recruit is worth $5 to the sponsor. The sponsor with the most recruits when the program ends in July earns an additional $500. For ASME applications look in each month’s issue of "Mechanical Engineering" magazine, or check out the ASME website.

YOUR COMMITTEE

 Steve Tang 818.874.7735

Chairman tangs@std.teradyne.com

Bob Morris 805.524.3727

Treasurer rpmorris@compuserve.com

Steve Harrington 805.388.9911

Secretary/Technical Activities steveh@meissner.com

Dick Ramsey 805.445.7605

Industrial Relations dynamicsol@earthlink.net

Kevin Manning 310.457.3881

Vice Chairman/Newsletter kevinmanning@asme.org

Elizabeth Rowins -

Vice Chairman jerowins@west.net

Please contact us with feedback on past or future events, this newsletter, or anything else on your mind. And remember, you are all welcome to join our ranks!