Dr. Vernon M. Fernandez
Associate Professor

Engineering Building E38
Phone (248) 204-2571
fernandez@ltu.edu

Dr. Vernon Fernandez is an associate professor of Mechanical Engineering. He joined Lawrence Technological University in the fall of 1988. He earned his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering at Bombay University, India, and his M.A.S.C. from the University of Windsor, Canada.  He holds a Ph. D. in Systems Engineering from Oakland University, Michigan where he conducted research in Industrial Application of Lasers.

Dr Fernandez worked in the U.S. and abroad as a manufacturing engineer. After graduating in engineering, Dr. Fernandez worked for Godrej and Boyce Pvt. Ltd. India, as an engineering supervisor. He has worked in manufacturing of heavy industrial equipment, such as pressure vessels and in light manufacturing of consumer commodities. In the U.S., Dr. Fernandez has worked for the Chrysler group (now DaimlerChrysler) since 1996 as a researcher within Advance Manufacturing Engineering. Projects undertaken include the study and development of current and future manufacturing technologies. Dr. Fernandez has worked extensively with manufacturing cost analysis and finance for the Chrysler group. Having foreseen the demand for energy and its ensuing increase in price, Dr. Fernandez has focused his work on developing and designing optimal processes that result in energy efficient operations and that reduce cost. Initial studies performed on his research show an 80% reduction in energy usage when compared with conventional methods used in production plants. These benefits occur with increased quality.

Key industrial projects currently undertaken by Dr. Fernandez include:

• Development of the spot welding controller with feedback control
• Simulation of spot welding
• Response time of robot controllers in crash situations
• Development of design standards for transfer systems

Dr. Fernandez is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.