Frequently Asked Questions
Edward A. Bianchi, PE
Consulting Engineer
Q — What does the `PE' stand for?
A — `Professional Engineer.' It means I have a license from the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania to practice as a Mechanical Engineer.
I am allowed by law to advertise myself as a
Mechanical Engineer.
And I could, for example, legally `seal' drawings of certain mechanical designs,
indicating that they have been reviewed and approved by a licensed Mechanical Engineer as required by
law.
I could also testify in a court of law as an expert witness.
However, the type of work I commonly do
does not require me to seal drawings or testify in court.
Q — How would we contract for your services?
A — However is easiest for you.
I can work as an independent contractor, billing you for hours and expenses,
working on-site and off-site as required.
I can also work through a job shop if that is your preference.
I have
worked through Foth & VanDyke, Aerotek, and Webber/Smith Associates.
I have also worked under a
`temporary direct' arrangement (with Quaker Oats), where I worked as a direct employee for the term of the
contract.
Q — Will you guarantee results?
A — No.
I will work as hard and as intelligently as I can to solve your problems.
But the very nature of the
work I do makes it impossible to say that any particular result can be achieved.
If there is a known solution,
you are better off hiring someone who does that work routinely.
Call me when nobody else has been able to
help you.
Q — Why should we call you?
A — I am good at what I do.
That is not just my opinion.
Everywhere I have worked I have been quickly
recognized as being technically astute and an `out-of-the-box' thinker.
And I have a track record of success
in making innovative ideas work.
I have made a career of delving into intractable problems, learning what
the issues were, and coming up with innovative solutions.
I have spent a lifetime, in school and out of
school, on and off the job, learning how to solve technical problems.
Over the years I have acquired an
unusually large set of skills and experiences that I can draw on when trying to find a solution.
It is unlikely
that I will know precisely what I need to know to solve your particular problem, Day One.
But I will have
some idea of where to start, and I know how to learn what I need to know.
Q — We have issues with our existing equipment and systems.
What should we expect when you work for
us?
A — At first I will spend a lot of time observing the problem and talking to your people.
I will want to talk to
Engineering, Maintenance and Production.
I will want to talk to the mechanics, technicians and operators.
I
will ask a lot of questions and I will try to see as much as I can for myself.
I will want to see the system
operating and then look at the equipment when it is shut down.
I will want to take video and photographs.
I
will want to see your QA procedures and records.
Once I have a good idea of the issues, I will start looking
for solutions.
I will contact companies that I have worked with before and I will do research online, trying to
find a solution that already exists and is known to work.
But I will also be thinking about custom solutions -
trying to come up with conceptual designs in case no good solution does exist.
If a custom solution is the
only reasonable way to solve your problem, I will use Early Prototyping to test the concept and further
develop the solution.
I will involve your technical staff in the work, to make sure that whatever is developed
meets ALL of your needs, and will have `buy-in' from your people before we install it on your floor.
I will
support the new solution through installation, commissioning and startup, and make sure that all of your
people are trained on its operation and maintenance.
Q — We need a Project Manager.
What should we expect when you work for us?
A — At first I will want to learn about your plans and requirements.
I will read your written documents and
review your existing drawings and layouts.
I will want to talk to Marketing and Packaging Development.
I
will want to talk to your plant management.
I will try to understand all of the aspects of the project and all of
the ways it will impact your existing operations.
Then I will come up with conceptual designs and revised
layouts and review them with the project team and your staff.
When a design concept is approved I will write
equipment specifications, solicit bids, and meet with your preferred local contractors.
I will develop a budget
and a schedule, including PERT charts and
GANTT charts.
I will write a formal proposal in your preferred format at present it.
If the project is approved
and funded, I will implement it as written.
Copyright © 2004 - 2008
Edward Bianchi, PE
All rights reserved.
www.EdwardBianchiPE.com/faq.html 2008/10/01
What does the `PE' stand for?