Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering
Steven J. Covey, Ph.D., P.E.
Curriculum Vitae (PDF)
Academic Rank, Affiliation, Address, Phone, Fax, and Email
Chair and Professor
Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
St. Cloud State University
101D Engineering and Computing Center
720 Fourth Ave South
St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498
320/308-5161 office
101D Engineering and Computing Center
720 Fourth Ave South
St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498
320/308-5161 office
Degrees with fields, institutions, and dates received
PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Cincinnati, June 1993
MS, Engineering Mechanics, University of Wisconsin - Madison, May 1984
BS, Engineering Mechanics, University of Wisconsin - Madison, December 1982
Area(s) of expertise
Exploiting interactions between mechanical design, material science, and manufacturing processes for product design and/or failure analysis including applications in the biomedical, aerospace, and computer industries. Specific areas include materials selection, solid mechanics, fatigue and failure analysis, finite element methods, stress analysis, composite materials, and manufacturing processes. Laboratory experience includes uniaxial/biaxial servo hydraulic mechanical testing, optical/SEM/AFM microscopy, material process simulations, fractography, and LabVIEW software.
Number of years of service at current position
Thirty (30) years: original appointment date August 1993. Tenured September 1996.
Other related experience: teaching, industrial, etc.
Department Chair, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, 7/21-6/23
Bucknell University, Visiting Professor (sabbatical) 8/15-5/16
Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Visiting Professor 7/15, 5/16-7/16
Boston Scientific, Visiting Research Scientist (sabbatical) 9/03-5/04
New Creation Engineering, LLC, Owner (consulting company) 6/02-6/22
NASA Glenn Research Center, ASEE Faculty Fellowship Summer 1995
NASA Glenn Research Center, Visiting Scientist 1992-1993
U of Cincinnati, Adjunct Professor Summer 1991
U of Cincinnati, Doctoral Fellow 1990-1992
MTS Systems, Project Engineer 1986-1990
U of Minnesota, Teaching Assistant 1985-1986
IBM Corp, Associate Engineer 1984-1985
U of Wisconsin - Madison, Teaching Assistant 1983-1984
Bucknell University, Visiting Professor (sabbatical) 8/15-5/16
Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Visiting Professor 7/15, 5/16-7/16
Boston Scientific, Visiting Research Scientist (sabbatical) 9/03-5/04
New Creation Engineering, LLC, Owner (consulting company) 6/02-6/22
NASA Glenn Research Center, ASEE Faculty Fellowship Summer 1995
NASA Glenn Research Center, Visiting Scientist 1992-1993
U of Cincinnati, Adjunct Professor Summer 1991
U of Cincinnati, Doctoral Fellow 1990-1992
MTS Systems, Project Engineer 1986-1990
U of Minnesota, Teaching Assistant 1985-1986
IBM Corp, Associate Engineer 1984-1985
U of Wisconsin - Madison, Teaching Assistant 1983-1984
Consulting (72 Projects, $1.6M, 91 Students)
Subharmonic Stress Relief – Welding, Park Industries 1/23-12/23
Pressure Vessel Design, C4 Welding 8/20-5/21
Automated Punch Press, Alexandria Industries 1/20-12/20
Sporting Clothing Design, Entrepreneur 8/19-5/20
Automation Cell, 3M Medical Systems 8/19-5/20
Expert Witness – Machine Design, Meshbesher & Spence 8/19-11/19
Automation Cell, 3M Medical Systems 8/18-5/19
Expert Witness, Amusement Ride, BLT Law Group 12/18-3/19
Fatigue Design, nVent 9/18-1/19
Finite Element Training, Park Industries 7/18-8/18
Automation Cell, Graco, Inc. 1/18-1/19
Thermal Stress Design, EBI, Inc. 4/18-10/18
Automation Cell, Miller Electric 8/17-6/18
Medical device design review, Boston Scientific 11/15-1/16
Basket translator design, Alexandria Extrusion 9/13-5/14
Random vibration exhaust fixture design, Cummins 9/13-5/14
Structural design, material specification of medical device, Synovis 9/12-5/13
Structural design, material specification of medical device, Synovis 9/11-5/12
Design of rapid joining mechanism for aircraft, Remmele 9/11-5/12
Learning modules: medical stent design and production, MnSCU 5/10-8/10
Latch mechanism assessment, APG Cash Drawer 8/09-10/09
Metal fatigue seminar, Halfmoon LLC 3/12/09
Surface topology study in electropolished stainless steels, DCI 6/08-5/09
Expert witness (recreational vehicle product failure), Socie and Bolt 7/08-1/09
Expert witness (prosthetic leg dysfunction), Zychowicz 7/08-3/10
Design/build an aortic heart valve fatigue tester, Boston Scientific 8/07-5/08
Design of a ball valve, DeZurik Valves 8/07-5/08
Design/build planar biaxial material test system, Boston Scientific 8/06-5/07
Expert witness (wheel chair failure), Sobalvarro 3/07-6/07
Biomedical product design, Boston Scientific 8/05-8/07
Expert witness (boat chair failure), Yira 8/05-11/06
Vacuum cup product design, Park Industries 8/04-5/05
Expert witness, Hansmeier 1/05-5/05
Stress analysis for product design, Cold Spring Granite 3/05-5/05
Biomedical product design using finite element, Boston Scientific 8/04-8/05
Expert witness (agricultural lift failure), Grunke 6/04-1/05
Biomedical product design w/ human tissue, modeling, Boston Scientific 9/03-6/04
Finite element analysis of quench cracking, new materials, ME Global 11/01-8/03
Pressure vessel design verification, DCI, Inc 8/02
Evaluation of austemper heat treat process, Whirltronics 11/01-5/02
Evaluation of production processes on stent quality, Boston Scientific 10/01-5/02
Prosthetic pump specified rotation design, TEC 9/01-3/02
Expert witness (ladder failure), Soucie, Buchman, and Bolt 10/01
Finite element analysis of pump for improved fatigue life, TEC 5/01-8/01
Finite element analysis of wood failure, Buchman 5/01-7/01
Redesign of tooling for pattern making, Cold Spring Granite 11/00-5/01
Expert witness evaluation and testimony, Grunke 9/99-9/00
Product design verification, DeZurik 9/99
Integral air spring / vacuum pump prosthetic design, TEC 6/99-6/00
Environmental System for Mechanical Test, Antioch 6/98 - 6/99
Biomaterial Process Optimization, TEC Interface Systems 9/98 - 4/99
Expert Witness, Higgins 10/98 - 4/99
Material Processing Training, Alexandria Industries 6/98 - 8/98
Expert Witness - Wood Failure Analysis, Soucie 2/98 - 11/98
Fatigue Life Optimization in Urethanes, TEC Interface Systems 11/97-9/98
Quench System Optimization, Alexandria Industries 8/97-5/98
Six Foot Saw Blade Dynamic Analysis, Energy Performance Systems 10/97-12/97
Heat-sink Failure Analysis, Zytec 7/97-10/97
Casting Process CFD Software Assess, Grede Foundries 6/96-5/97
Engineering Training, Tennant 6/96-7/96
Engineering Training, DeZurik Water Controls 6/96-9/96
Fatigue Analysis of Spring Failure FEA, Engel Metallurgical 2/96-5/96
SuperAlloy Weld Design, McNally Industries 8/95-10/95
Extrusion Process FEA Modeling, Alexandria Industries 9/95-5/96
Optimize 304 SS Forming Tools FEA, HTI 9/95-5/96
Planar Biaxial Test of 304 SS, NASA Glenn 6/05-8/05
Axial/torsion Tests of Composite Tubes, 3M Research 6/05-8/05
Micromechanical Test System Design, MTS Systems 8/94-10/94
Forming Process Optimization FEA, HTI 8/94-5/95
Wrench Design via FEA per Standards, Mayer Associates 9/94-5/95
Fatigue Crack Growth in Composites, 3M Research 9/93-1/95
Optimize 304 SS Forming Process FEA, HTI 5/94-9/94
Pressure Vessel Design, C4 Welding 8/20-5/21
Automated Punch Press, Alexandria Industries 1/20-12/20
Sporting Clothing Design, Entrepreneur 8/19-5/20
Automation Cell, 3M Medical Systems 8/19-5/20
Expert Witness – Machine Design, Meshbesher & Spence 8/19-11/19
Automation Cell, 3M Medical Systems 8/18-5/19
Expert Witness, Amusement Ride, BLT Law Group 12/18-3/19
Fatigue Design, nVent 9/18-1/19
Finite Element Training, Park Industries 7/18-8/18
Automation Cell, Graco, Inc. 1/18-1/19
Thermal Stress Design, EBI, Inc. 4/18-10/18
Automation Cell, Miller Electric 8/17-6/18
Medical device design review, Boston Scientific 11/15-1/16
Basket translator design, Alexandria Extrusion 9/13-5/14
Random vibration exhaust fixture design, Cummins 9/13-5/14
Structural design, material specification of medical device, Synovis 9/12-5/13
Structural design, material specification of medical device, Synovis 9/11-5/12
Design of rapid joining mechanism for aircraft, Remmele 9/11-5/12
Learning modules: medical stent design and production, MnSCU 5/10-8/10
Latch mechanism assessment, APG Cash Drawer 8/09-10/09
Metal fatigue seminar, Halfmoon LLC 3/12/09
Surface topology study in electropolished stainless steels, DCI 6/08-5/09
Expert witness (recreational vehicle product failure), Socie and Bolt 7/08-1/09
Expert witness (prosthetic leg dysfunction), Zychowicz 7/08-3/10
Design/build an aortic heart valve fatigue tester, Boston Scientific 8/07-5/08
Design of a ball valve, DeZurik Valves 8/07-5/08
Design/build planar biaxial material test system, Boston Scientific 8/06-5/07
Expert witness (wheel chair failure), Sobalvarro 3/07-6/07
Biomedical product design, Boston Scientific 8/05-8/07
Expert witness (boat chair failure), Yira 8/05-11/06
Vacuum cup product design, Park Industries 8/04-5/05
Expert witness, Hansmeier 1/05-5/05
Stress analysis for product design, Cold Spring Granite 3/05-5/05
Biomedical product design using finite element, Boston Scientific 8/04-8/05
Expert witness (agricultural lift failure), Grunke 6/04-1/05
Biomedical product design w/ human tissue, modeling, Boston Scientific 9/03-6/04
Finite element analysis of quench cracking, new materials, ME Global 11/01-8/03
Pressure vessel design verification, DCI, Inc 8/02
Evaluation of austemper heat treat process, Whirltronics 11/01-5/02
Evaluation of production processes on stent quality, Boston Scientific 10/01-5/02
Prosthetic pump specified rotation design, TEC 9/01-3/02
Expert witness (ladder failure), Soucie, Buchman, and Bolt 10/01
Finite element analysis of pump for improved fatigue life, TEC 5/01-8/01
Finite element analysis of wood failure, Buchman 5/01-7/01
Redesign of tooling for pattern making, Cold Spring Granite 11/00-5/01
Expert witness evaluation and testimony, Grunke 9/99-9/00
Product design verification, DeZurik 9/99
Integral air spring / vacuum pump prosthetic design, TEC 6/99-6/00
Environmental System for Mechanical Test, Antioch 6/98 - 6/99
Biomaterial Process Optimization, TEC Interface Systems 9/98 - 4/99
Expert Witness, Higgins 10/98 - 4/99
Material Processing Training, Alexandria Industries 6/98 - 8/98
Expert Witness - Wood Failure Analysis, Soucie 2/98 - 11/98
Fatigue Life Optimization in Urethanes, TEC Interface Systems 11/97-9/98
Quench System Optimization, Alexandria Industries 8/97-5/98
Six Foot Saw Blade Dynamic Analysis, Energy Performance Systems 10/97-12/97
Heat-sink Failure Analysis, Zytec 7/97-10/97
Casting Process CFD Software Assess, Grede Foundries 6/96-5/97
Engineering Training, Tennant 6/96-7/96
Engineering Training, DeZurik Water Controls 6/96-9/96
Fatigue Analysis of Spring Failure FEA, Engel Metallurgical 2/96-5/96
SuperAlloy Weld Design, McNally Industries 8/95-10/95
Extrusion Process FEA Modeling, Alexandria Industries 9/95-5/96
Optimize 304 SS Forming Tools FEA, HTI 9/95-5/96
Planar Biaxial Test of 304 SS, NASA Glenn 6/05-8/05
Axial/torsion Tests of Composite Tubes, 3M Research 6/05-8/05
Micromechanical Test System Design, MTS Systems 8/94-10/94
Forming Process Optimization FEA, HTI 8/94-5/95
Wrench Design via FEA per Standards, Mayer Associates 9/94-5/95
Fatigue Crack Growth in Composites, 3M Research 9/93-1/95
Optimize 304 SS Forming Process FEA, HTI 5/94-9/94
Specific programs for faculty improvement (past 16 years)
ASM Failure Analysis of Medical Devices, Minneapolis, MN February 2014
ASEE North Midwest Section Conference, Fargo, ND October 2013
Nanotechnology Conference, St. Cloud, MN February 2013
ASM Failure Analysis of Medical Devices, Minneapolis, MN February 2013
ASEE North Midwest Section Conference, St. Cloud, MN October 2012
Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis, Medtronic/Jeol, Fridley, MN May 2008
Design of Medical Devices Conference, Minneapolis, MN April 2009
Design of Medical Devices Conference, Minneapolis, MN April 2008
FDA/NHLBI/NSF Workshop on Computer Methods for March 2008
Cardiovascular Devices
Biomechanics Workshop, BSCI, Maple Grove, MN February 2008
Design of Medical Devices Conference, Minneapolis, MN April 2007
Failure Analysis Conference, ASM, Minneapolis, MN February 2007
Design of Medical Devices Conference, Minneapolis, MN April 2006
BioInterface – Cardiac and Vascular Devices, Minneapolis, MN October 2005
ASM Nitinol for the Medical Device Engineer, Minneapolis, MN October 2005
Modeling of Human Vessel/Stent Interactions, BSCI, Maple Grove, MN April 2005
ASM Materials and Processes for Medical Devices, St. Paul, MN August 2004
Chairing the Academic Dept., American Council on Ed., Tampa, FL Novem 2000
Extrusion Technology 2000, Chicago, IL May 2000
American Society of Materials Seminar, Mpls, MN February 2000
ASEE North Midwest Section Conference, Fargo, ND October 2013
Nanotechnology Conference, St. Cloud, MN February 2013
ASM Failure Analysis of Medical Devices, Minneapolis, MN February 2013
ASEE North Midwest Section Conference, St. Cloud, MN October 2012
Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis, Medtronic/Jeol, Fridley, MN May 2008
Design of Medical Devices Conference, Minneapolis, MN April 2009
Design of Medical Devices Conference, Minneapolis, MN April 2008
FDA/NHLBI/NSF Workshop on Computer Methods for March 2008
Cardiovascular Devices
Biomechanics Workshop, BSCI, Maple Grove, MN February 2008
Design of Medical Devices Conference, Minneapolis, MN April 2007
Failure Analysis Conference, ASM, Minneapolis, MN February 2007
Design of Medical Devices Conference, Minneapolis, MN April 2006
BioInterface – Cardiac and Vascular Devices, Minneapolis, MN October 2005
ASM Nitinol for the Medical Device Engineer, Minneapolis, MN October 2005
Modeling of Human Vessel/Stent Interactions, BSCI, Maple Grove, MN April 2005
ASM Materials and Processes for Medical Devices, St. Paul, MN August 2004
Chairing the Academic Dept., American Council on Ed., Tampa, FL Novem 2000
Extrusion Technology 2000, Chicago, IL May 2000
American Society of Materials Seminar, Mpls, MN February 2000
State(s) in which registered as a Professional Engineer
Minnesota License Number 24385
Typical courses assigned
GENG 101 Ethics and the Engineering Profession
GENG 380 Engineering Communication
MME 211 Materials and Structures
MME 333 Manufacturing Processes
MME 342 Machine Design and Fatigue
MME 414 Composite Materials
MME 420 Finite Element Methods
MME 440 Solid Mechanics
MATS 621 Materials Characterization Techniques
MATS 623 Bulk Materials Characterization
GENG 380 Engineering Communication
MME 211 Materials and Structures
MME 333 Manufacturing Processes
MME 342 Machine Design and Fatigue
MME 414 Composite Materials
MME 420 Finite Element Methods
MME 440 Solid Mechanics
MATS 621 Materials Characterization Techniques
MATS 623 Bulk Materials Characterization
Professional Organizations
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Society of Engineering Educators
American Society of Materials