by Joseph Fuehne, director, Purdue College of Technology at Columbus

May 20 is observed annually around the world as World Metrology Day and commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention in 1875. This treaty provides the basis for a coherent measurement system worldwide. Because the Purdue College of Technology at Columbus has a well-equipped metrology lab that serves as a resource for students and local industry in our region and state, we will be celebrating World Metrology Day.

Most of us don’t recognize the importance that metrology plays in our lives. First of all, it has nothing to do with the weather. Metrology is the science of measurement, and most of us rely on measurement devices every day. We make decisions based on measurement results, such as pushing the brake pedal when the speed is over the limit or cutting down on sweet food if our blood sugar level is too high. The price of much of what we buy is calculated from measurements — electricity, water, food, fuel, to name a few.

When you buy gas, how do you know for sure that you’re actually receiving the volume of gas indicated on the pump? Each state has a division or bureau of weights and measures. In Indiana, the Weights and Measurements program is under the auspices of the Indiana State Department of Health. Every county in Indiana has a weights and measures inspector whose job is to ensure that when a gas pump indicates that it has pumped 12.4 gallons of gas that it actually has pumped that amount. Every gas pump in the state should have a sticker from the Indiana Weights and Measures division that indicates the last time it was calibrated and approved. These checks should occur on a regular basis, usually annually, but possibly more frequently especially if there are complaints. With the rising costs of gasoline, this service by the state is critical. Each country also has a National Measurement Institute (NMI) and in the USA that official organization is the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST).

However, there are other places where measurement impacts our daily lives. Grocery stores often sell vegetables, fruits, meats, and other produce by weight. All check out scanning stations have scales that weigh the bananas or apples you’re buying and then the store associate will code that information into the register to determine the overall price. Again, these balances must be calibrated frequently to ensure that they’re weighing objects accurately and consumers are being charged the proper amount.

Health services are another area of frequent measuring. Doctors, nurses and hospitals depend on devices that measure blood pressure, cholesterol, body temperature, blood sugar, and weight as well as many other more sophisticated measurements. These measurements are critical to the good health and well being of consumers. In the middle 1970s, a hospital in Ohio failed to calibrate an instrument that measured radiation being applied to cancer patients; over 400 patients received significantly more radiation than was necessary. This is just one example, albeit a tragic one, where measurement mistakes have been significant.

In the manufacturing industry, there’s a common saying that “If it can’t be measured, it can’t be built.” Manufacturing companies rely heavily on accurate and reliable measurement systems to design, inspect, and build their products. Many of these systems, however, are measuring distances at the nanometer level, smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Metrology is critical to our technological advancement but is seldom recognized by the general public.

The Purdue College of Technology at Columbus has begun to offer classes and provide services to local industry in metrology. The metrology lab at the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence is climate controlled (20°C ±0.5° and less than 35% humidity) and has a wide range of tools for dimensional and mass measurement. For more information about the lab,  contact Joe Fuehne at 812-348-2040 or jfuehne@purdue.edu.

• 45 years: Robert Grundman, assistant professor of aviation technology
• 35 years: Loretta Lonz, academic advisor in Building Construction Management; Mike Jacob, professor of electrical and computer engineering technology; Kay Solomon, academic advisor in Mechanical Engineering Technology; and Linda Young, academic advisor, in Computer and Information Technology
• 30 years: Bradley Harriger, professor of mechanical engineering technology; James Lane, lab supervisor in Mechanical Engineering Technology; Dennis Short, professor of computer graphics technology; and Steven Widmer, associate professor of mechanical engineering technology.
• 25 years: Thomas Brelage, lab supervisor in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology; Robert Bruce, associate professor of mechanical engineering technology; and Richard Allen, maintenance technician in Aviation Technology.
• 20 years: Maria Drake, data manager; Jeffrey Honchell, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology; Denver Lopp, professor of aviation technology; Kathryne Newton, professor of technology leadership and innovation; Phillip Rawles, associate professor of computer and information technology; and David Stanley, associate professor of aviation technology.
• 15 years: Beverly Davis, associate professor of technology leadership and innovation (Lafayette); Brian Dillman, associate professor of aviation technology; James Jenkins, associate professor of building construction management; Nghia Le, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology (New Albany); Jan Lugowski, associate professor of mechanical engineering technology; Kyle Lutes, associate professor of computer and information technology; Carlos Morales, associate professor of computer graphics technology; Mathias Sutton, associate professor of technology leadership and innovation; Nancy Tucker, department head secretary in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology.
• 10 years: Rene Bailey, Project Lead The Way program assistant; Jacqueline Brown, academic excellence coordinator; Julia Carson, student services secretary, Columbus; Joseph Dues, associate professor of mechanical engineering technology (New Albany); Jeffrey Evans, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology; Debbie Frantz, account clerk; Gene Harding, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology (South Bend); Nathan Hartman, associate professor of computer graphics technology; Douglas Keith, clinical assistant professor of building construction management; Marcus Rogers, professor of computer and information technology; Anthony Smith, associate professor, computer and information technology; Jennifer White, academic advisor in Technology Leadership and Innovation.

The classes are possible because of a new metrology lab at the Community Education Coalition (CEC) Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AMCE) in Columbus. It has the most extensive resources of any metrology lab in the Midwest.

“The closest match to [the CEC’s metrology lab] is the University of North Carolina’s metrology lab in Charlotte, which may be the best metrology lab in the world,” said Joe Fuehne, director of the Purdue University College of Technology at Columbus. Fuehne and the College of Technology oversee the operation of the lab.

Manufacturing industries need precise measurements to make their products work as efficiently and properly as possible.

“Metrology is something we in engineering technology can teach very well. People don’t understand how important it is to measure things,” Fuehne said. “We’re dealing with a part of manufacturing that is overlooked and not taught very often. We have the opportunity here to fill a big void in the manufacturing community.”

Ivy Tech Columbus, CoT at Columbus and Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus students will be able to use the lab. Classes in the lab will focus on the manufacturing processes and use the equipment to measure parts to make sure they fit manufacturing parameters.

The lab will not only focus on manufacturing processes. An Indiana University nursing graduate student, for example, is currently using the lab to find a better way to extract fluid from a patient’s stomach. She is testing how tiny variations in medical equipment placement could affect readings and endanger lives.

In the future, Fuehne hopes that companies who do not have the resources to purchase metrology equipment will use the lab for their measuring needs.

“The main function of the metrology lab is to make sure that a part that has a specific function was made the way it is supposed to be made,” said Fuehne.

According to American Society of Mechanical Engineers rules, the CEC’s metrology lab has a constant temperature of 20° C (68°F), ±1° C, and a humidity of 32 percent. The lab also has a positive pressure equivalent to a water depth of 0.7 inches so that when the door is opened the air rushes out and not in. All of this is to keep the lab clean and the readings consistent.

Associate Dean Schaffer

Andy Schaffer has been appointed associate dean for Statewide Technology at Purdue University. In addition to his responsibilities for the administration of Statewide Technology, Schaffer will lead the reengineering initiative for the nine College of Technology locations across Indiana. Schaffer replaces Duane Dunlap, who has been appointed associate dean for engagement for the college.

Schaffer was previously the director of the College of Technology locations at New Albany, Greensburg, Columbus, and Vincennes.

An associate professor of industrial technology, he earned his bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership and supervision with highest distinction from Purdue. He completed his Master of Business Administration degree with distinction at the University of Louisville and earned his Ph.D. in business administration at The Ohio State University. His doctoral program emphases were in organization theory and international business.

Before joining Purdue, Schaffer was associate professor of management and assistant department head at the School of Business at North Georgia State University. He also served as an assistant professor of organizational leadership and supervision at IUPUI in Indianapolis.

Established in memory of Brooke E Tuttle, the scholarship is one of three set up at Columbus-area colleges.

Money from Tuttle, the Community Education Coalition in Columbus, and Purdue University was used to set up an endowed scholarship account that will provide funds annually to deserving students.

“This fall, it looks like we’re going to bring in the largest class of MET freshmen that we’ve had in a really long time, so the money will be put to really good use,” said Joseph Fuehne, director of the College of Technology at Columbus/Greensburg. “This is a growing program. Local companies, such as Cummins, are hiring our MET students. The employment field is growing pretty rapidly here, so the Tuttle scholarship will help us attract more people into the degree program.”

The Tuttle Scholarship is the first one in Columbus designated specifically for an MET student. The College of Technology awards five other scholarships each year.

Tuttle, a former Cummins Inc. executive and president of the Columbus Economic Development Board, made it a point to share his knowledge, teaching and mentoring students at IUPUC and Ivy Tech Community College-Columbus/Franklin for 20 years.

University awards

• 2012 Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Awards in Memory of Charles B. Murphy: Brad Benhart, building management and construction technology (read a profile on Benhart)
• Continuing Education’s Award for Excellence in Distance Learning: Erin Bowen, technology leadership and innovation (read the TechPurdue announcement)
• Fellowship for Study in a Second Discipline (2012-13): Nicoletta Adamo-Villani, computer graphics technology (read the TechPurdue announcement)
• Outstanding Commercialization Award: Lonnie Bentley, computer information technology (read the initial announcement)

Faculty service recognition awards

• 30 years: Zarjon Baha, building construction management; Bruce Harding, mechanical engineering technology; Alka Harriger, computer and information technology
• 25 years: Terry Burton, computer graphics technology; John Denton, electrical and computer engineering technology; Nancy Denton, mechanical engineering technology; Philip Mick, aviation technology; Anthony Oxtoby, electrical and computer engineering technology; JoDell Steuver, technology leadership & innovation (Columbus); Michele Summers, technology leadership & innovation (Lafayette)
• 20 years: Brian Alenskis, mechanical engineering technology (Richmond); Thomas Capozzoli, technology leadership & innovation (Kokomo); Terrence O’Connor, electrical and computer engineering technology (New Albany); Matthew Stephens, technology leadership & innovation; Kevin Taylor, electrical and computer engineering technology (Kokomo); J. Mark Thom, aviation technology; Bernard Wulle, aviation technology
• 15 years: Clark Cory, computer graphics technology; John Finnegan, computer graphics technology (New Albany); Michael Leasure, aviation technology; Julie Mariga, computer and information technology
• 10 years: Nicoletta Adamo-Villani, computer graphics technology; Dennis Depew, technology leadership & innovation; Ronald Glotzbach, computer graphics technology; Mark Shaurette, building construction management

The ceremonies and their student speakers are:

• College of Technology at Richmond and Anderson: Friday, May 4, 6:30 p.m.; Danylle Harman, organizational leadership and supervision, student speaker
• College of Technology at Lafayette, Saturday, May 5, 2:00 p.m.; Michael Smith, organizational leadership and supervision, student speaker
• College of Technology at South Bend, Monday, May 7, 6:00 p.m.; Kevin Miller, engineering technology, student speaker
• College of Technology at Columbus and Greensburg, Tuesday, May 8, 6:00 p.m.; Jacob Rutan, computer and information technology, student speaker
• College of Technology at Kokomo, Wednesday, May 9, 6:00 p.m.; Tyler Imbierowicz, computer and information technology, student speaker
• College of Technology at Vincennes, Thursday, May 10, 11:30 a.m.; Vance Perry, industrial technology, student speaker
• College of Technology at New Albany, Thursday, May 10, 6:00 p.m.; Munkhtsetseg Nandigjav, computer graphics technology, student speaker
• College of Technology at West Lafayette and Indianapolis, Saturday, May 12, 9:30 a.m.; Ellen Zouras, building construction management, student speaker. A posthumous bachelor of science degree will be awarded to Timothy D. Patterson, a former student in the College of Technology.

He will oversee operations for both College of Technology locations. The Columbus location is headquartered in the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence, and the Greensburg location operates out of the Greensburg Learning Center.

“I am committed to advancing our current partnerships with Ivy Tech, IUPUC, BCSC, the Community Education Coalition and local industry to bring outstanding educational opportunities to the citizens of our region,” Fuehne said. “With the new Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence and other similar initiatives, it’s an exciting time for higher education and all education providers in the region.”

Fuehne joined the faculty of the College of Technology at Columbus as a visiting assistant professor in January of 2002. He has been very involved in the community with summer robotics camps, FIRST Lego League, and Boiler Tech Challenge.

Prior to his Purdue appointment, he spent 11 years in industrial positions focused on computational structural mechanics of oil tool equipment and exhaust systems.

Fuehne earned his doctorate and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University and his bachelor’s degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering from the University of Illinois.

His research and new Man to Machine (M2M) lab in the College of Technology are featured in the Spring 2012 edition of Innovation, the college’s alumni magazine. The issue is scheduled to be mailed in early May.

Other stories you’ll find include:

• A feature story on the college’s multidisciplinary approach to the changing face of the electric utility industry
• An examination of the college’s efforts to provide commercialization guidance and assistance to faculty and students
• Profiles of alumni Josh Hurst, mechanical engineering technology, and Candice Nash, organizational leadership and supervision
• Other issues that affect the education of Technology students

The print edition will be mailed in May to College of Technology alumni and donors. The online edition will appear at www.tech.purdue.edu/innovation in May as well.

The College of Technology at Columbus hosted 21 6th-9th graders at its inaugural Computer Animation Camp in early June.

The four-day camp introduced students to the Alice programming language to create animated stories and commercials. The week culminated with a competition to create commercials that were judged by guests from campus.

Dewey Swanson, associate professor from the Department of Computer and Information Technology, hosted the camp.

Many of the capabilities Alice provides in a drag-and-drop environment are the same concepts used in languages like C# and Java, Swanson said. Students were able to see their animations run immediately and understand the relationship between the instructions they provided the computer and what actually occurs.

“What they found in many cases, with quite comical results, is that the computer did what they told it to do, not what they wanted it to do.”

The camp coincided with the grand opening of the new Advanced Manufacturing Center for Excellence (AMCE) June 10. AMCE is the new home of the College of Technology at Columbus.

(photo: Winners of the Computer Animation Camp contest show off their prizes with camp coordinator Dewey Swanson (right).)