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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Sofronas, Anthony, author.
Title: Survival techniques for the practicing engineer / Anthony Sofronas.
Description: Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, 2016. | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016011022| ISBN 9781119250456 (cloth) | ISBN 9781119250487 (epub) | ISBN 9781119250500 (epdf)
Subjects: LCSH: Engineering--Vocational guidance.
Classification: LCC TA157 .S63174 2016 | DDC 620.0023--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016011022
Cover image courtesy of Dr. Sofronas
To My Lord Who Has Made This All Possible
And
To My Family And Friends Who Have Contributed To My Success
Anthony Sofronas is an author, educator, and consultant. He has extensive practical experience in troubleshooting machinery and equipment. His 48 years in industry has been with the General Electric Company, Bendix Corporation, and the most recent 24 years in industry with the Exxon Mobil Corporation. In this position, he was a worldwide lead fixed-equipment engineer with his group troubleshooting problems. Since retirement, he has embarked on a career as an author, lecturer, and consultant. He is the author of over 100 technical papers and similar articles. He has written three books on machinery, fixed equipment analysis, and engineering based on his work that have been used for his seminars and consulting assignments in eight countries.
Dr Sofronas graduated from the University of Detroit with a Doctor of Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, a Masters of Engineering, Northrop Institute of Technology, a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and New York State University at Farmingdale, with an Associate of Applied Science in Mechanical Power Technology.
He has been registered as a Professional Engineer in Texas for several decades and had also been elected to the honor society Tau Beta Pi. He received the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Young Engineer of the Year award in 1980 for his extensive research into the drilling operation for the Bendix Corporation. His doctoral thesis work “The Formation and Control of Drilling Burrs” has been considered a pioneering analytical work into the drilling process.
This book is a compilation of many useful techniques I have learned as a company engineer working in several industries and then after retirement as a self-employed consulting engineer. In it are rules, guides, and examples of what to do and what not to do. There are many personal stories to help illustrate certain points and why the survival techniques suggested are necessary. These personal stories are a way of presenting information in a consolidated way. A story tends to be impressed in one's mind better than rules or guidelines. Everyone will interpret and envision the story in a way most helpful to them.
Colleagues are those who can make the workplace a pleasant environment especially when they have a sense of humor, so some of this is in the book too.
Much of my career in engineering has been involved with determining the causes of failures on machinery and other structures. The term failure denotes something has gone wrong. I like the definition of a failure as an opportunity to better understand it, fix it, and do it right so it won't reoccur.
While the book eventually looks at specific problems solved on machines and equipment using a “niche,” pronounced “neesh,” it will begin by discussing this niche and the importance of having one. More importantly, it discusses lessons learned throughout a career. They should be most useful for the practicing engineer to know and to help them be successful.
Many case histories have been presented in my previous books [1, 2], and this book adds a few new ones to emphasize helpful techniques and methods.
This is the type book I wish I had available when in industry. Someone asked, “How long did it take you to write this book?” and the answer was 48 years. You see you need the industrial experiences to be able to write a book such as this. The experiences are personal and the cases unique and not repeated from other sources. The readers will now have this information early to help them through their career.
What is a successful engineer can mean different things to different people. Being highly respected and confident, performing useful work, building things, being able to touch things you have built or repaired, solving problems, becoming a manager, enjoying a high salary, and always being employed are definitions of success some use.
For me, success was doing work that I had a passion for and am still doing. I find pleasure in working with others that have the same passion. Leaving adequate time for my family and enjoying them is a huge part of being successful. Advancement and the amenities that came with it were because of this passion. Always wanting to learn something new in engineering is so important. One should never stop learning since that's what keeps us mentally alive.
In this book, I also review my experience with the merits of advanced degrees as many engineers have asked about this. Should they go on for one is usually the difficult decision they have had to make especially if they are married with children. Primarily, their question is if it's worth the effort and some perspective on this is provided.
Should I change jobs, start my own business, or go into consulting are also questions I have been asked and even asked them to myself. In a humble way, I try to provide advice on these important issues.
The intention of this book is to have the reader think of it as a personal mentor and friend always ready to provide help by just opening to the section needed.
Anthony Sofronas
March 24, 2016
Kingwood, Texas
First I wish to thank my dear wife Mrs Cruz Velasquez Sofronas, who is a huge part of my success. Most of my advancement would not have been possible without her understanding and guidance. Her review and suggestions on this book were extremely helpful.
Our children Steve and Maria followed us through our many moves and adventures and whom we are very proud of. Both have obtained their college degrees and are having successful lives and careers.
My mother Irene Lampesis Sofronas and my father Steve Sofronas for instilling in me my moral and work ethics as well as for directing me toward my engineering degree.
My sister Carole Sofronas Paquette, whose creativity, writings, and artwork have always inspired me.
Mr Richard S. Gill, my colleague and friend, whose humor and technical abilities made my work enjoyable.
Mr Heinz Bloch, a master of machinery and a friend, for all his unselfish encouragement and for introducing me into the world of consulting and writing articles.
Mr Geoff Kinison, for his friendship, technical abilities, and discussions we have had.
Mr Martin Hapeman, who mentored me with his superb analytical abilities.
Dr Khalil Taraman, my Doctoral Advisor, whose guidance and commitment was instrumental to my achieving the D.Eng.
Dr William Spurgeon, my Industrial Advisor, who directed me through my Doctoral funded dissertation and introduced me to precis style writing.
Dr Paul Paslay for proposing to me an insightful and unique analysis method for my doctoral thesis and discussing simplifying techniques.
To the many superb Engineers, Technicians, Machinists, Operators, Managers, and Friends who have helped me immensely through the years.
To all the legendary engineers whose books I have learned so much from such as Drs Timoshenko, Ker Wilson, Den Hartog, Spotts, Faires, Roark, and many more.
Anthony Sofronas