Rudy Eggert

Bio

Dr. Rudy Eggert started teaching at Boise State in 1995, first as a member of the University of Idaho-Boise faculty, then as a member of the Boise State faculty beginning in 1996. Before that, he was a member of the mechanical engineering faculty at Union College.

Studying at the University of New York at Buffalo, Dr. Eggert earned his BSME in 1980 and his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering in 1989. His dissertation, Probabilistic Optimization Using Successive Surrogate Probability Density Functions, established new analytical techniques for optimizing the design of engineered components and/or systems. He received the MSME from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1980, the Masters of Business Administration degree from Canisius College in 1970, and the BA in Economics from the University at Buffalo in 1969.

Previous work experience includes engineering and management positions at the General Electric Company, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Kissing Bridge Corporation, Fisher-Price Toys, and Wurlitzer Corporation.

Research

Solid Modeling and Rapid Prototyping for Idaho Industry, 6/00-4/02, Multi-year effort working with 10-12 companies throughout Idaho, developing CAD solid modeling and rapid prototyping competencies enhancing computer integrated design and manufacturing capabilities. Grant of $314,000 jointly funded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce / Economic Development Administration and Boise State University. Co-Principal Investigator, Steve Tennyson P.I., Gary McCain Co-P.I.

Strategic Planning Study for Computer Integrated Engineering, 7/98 – 6/99 One year effort to benchmark Idaho’s existing usage of engineering software and hardware, and conduct a statewide strategic planning workshop to develop action plans to improve the infrastructure. Grant of $30,400 jointly funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and Boise State University. Principal Investigator, Steve Tennyson Co-P.I.

Design Based Engineering Education, 97/98, Joint faculty participant. Project directed by J. Guarino, (P.I.). $150,000, funded by the Idaho State Board of Education. Assisted in the development of teaching and testing methods for using simulation software to reinforce fundamental engineering concepts. Incorporated Working Model design simulation labs in Engineering Statics (ENGR 250). Eggert’s class section scored higher than ISU and UI sections in a statics test given to all universities.

Fatigue Design for Combined Cyclic Bending and Steady Torsion, General Electric Research Grant ($6,000), summer 1991. Extended computer-aided probabilistic analysis & design methods to examine combined fatigue loading typical of shafts and spindles.

Computer Aided Probabilistic Engineering, General Electric Research Grant ($4,500), summer 1990. Developed main-frame and PC-based software for the probabilistic analysis & design of mechanical systems using moment matching and Monte Carlo simulation methods.

Publications & Presentations:

• Engineering Design, Second Edition Eggert, R. J., High Peak Press, 2010, Meridian, Idaho
• “Achieving Teamwork in Design Projects: Development and Results of a Spreadsheet Tool,” Proceedings of the 2008 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, June 2008, Pittsburgh, PA.
• “Engineering Design: Are We Teaching the Right Stuff?” (DEED Best Paper Award) Proceedings of the 2007 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, June 2007, Honolulu, HI.
• “Design for Manufacture and Assembly: A Survey of Desired Competencies,” Proceedings of the 2006 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, June 2006, Chicago, IL.
• Engineering Design, Eggert, R. J., Prentice Hall, Inc., 2004, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
• “Engineering Design Education: Surveys of Demand and Supply,” Proceedings of the 2003 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, June 2003, Nashville, TN. (peer reviewed)
• Transferring Rapid Prototyping Technology to Idaho Small Business: Final Report with S. Tennyson, G. McCain, and G Thompson, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, July 2002.
• “An Engineering and Marketing Collaboration for Live-Case Technology Transfer to Rural Manufacturers,” with G. McCain, S. Tennyson, Proceedings of the WACRA Conference Mannheim, Germany, July 2002.
• “A Survey of Computer-Integrated Design and Manufacturing Skills for Engineers,” with S. Tennyson, accepted for Proceedings of the 2000 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, Orlando, FL (peer reviewed)
• Strategic Planning Study for Computer Integrated Design and Manufacturing in Idaho: Final Report, with S. Tennyson, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, August 1999.
• A Benchmark of Engineering Design Graphics Course Work As Taught in Idaho Compared to a National Sampling, with S. Tennyson, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, August 1999.
• Strategic Planning Study for Computer Integrated Design and Manufacturing in Idaho: Preliminary Report, with S. Tennyson, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, July 1999.
• “Design Graphics in Idaho: A 1999 Industry and Academic Benchmark,” with S. Tennyson, The Engineering Design Graphics Journal, Vol. 64, No. 2. American Society of Engineering Education, 2000. (peer reviewed)
• “Re-Engineering Open-Ended Problems & Computer Simulations for Effective Development of Student Design Skills,” with S. Tennyson, Proceedings of the 1998 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, June 1998, Seattle, WA. (peer reviewed)
• “Designing Across the Curriculum: Linking Sophomores to ME,” with S. Tennyson, and D. Bunnell, Proceedings of the 1998 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, June 1998, Seattle, WA. (peer reviewed)
• “Metrics for Improving Engineering Design Education,” position paper presented at the NSF Open Workshop on Decision Based Design, Sept. 13-14, 1997, in Sacramento, CA.
• “Beyond Simulations: Improving Open-Ended Problems to Enhance Design Engineering Education,” with Steve Tennyson, Proceedings of the 1997 Conference on Design Based Engineering Education, July 1997, Boise, ID.
• Standard Handbook of Machine Design, Chapter 20: Power Screws,Second Edition, Editors J. E. Shigley and C. R. Mischke. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1996. (invited chapter)
• “Preliminary Robust Design Using Advanced Spreadsheet Modeling Techniques,” Proceedings of the 11th ASME Biennial Conference on Reliability, Stress Analysis, and Failure Prevention, Boston, MA, Sept. 1995. (peer reviewed)
• “Design Variation Simulation of Thick-Walled Cylinders,” ASME Journal of Mechanical Design, Vol. 117, pp. 221-228, June 1995. (peer reviewed)
• “Advanced Spreadsheet Methods for Mechanical Engineers”, with R. F. Dartt Proceedings of the 14th Annual International Computers in Engineering Conference & Exposition, ASME Computers in Engineering Division, Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 1994. (peer reviewed)
• “Fatigue Life Simulation for Reliable Thick-Walled Cylinder Design,” Proceedings of the 20th Design Automation Conference, ASME Design Engineering Division, Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 1994. (peer reviewed)
• “Probabilistic Optimal Design Using Successive Surrogate Probability Density Functions,” with R. W. Mayne, ASME Journal of Mechanical Design, Vol. 115, pp. 385-391, September 1993. (peer reviewed)ATest Apparatus using a Standard Axial Fatigue Test Machine,” with M.P. Blinn, J. A. Kapp, Proceedings of the 1993 ASME Pressure Vessels & Piping Conference. Denver, Colorado July, 1993. (peer reviewed)
• “Robust Fatigue Design for Combined Cyclic and Steady Torsion,” ASME Advances in Design Automation, ASME Design Engineering Division, Vol. 2, pp. 335-342. Tempe, Arizona, 1992. (peer reviewed)
• “Quantifying Design Feasibility using Probabilistic Feasibility Analysis” Proceedings of the 17th ASME Design Automation Conference, ASME Design Engineering Division, volume DE-32-1, Miami, Florida, 1991. (peer reviewed)
• Probabilistic Optimization using Successive Surrogate Probability Density Functions, Ph.D. dissertation, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1989.
• “Computer Modeling Simple Thermodynamic Systems,” with W. Bessler, Report number 80CRD272, Technical Information Series, General Electric Company, November, 1980, Schenectady, NY.