News & Events
ATA Engineering at the SEM International Modal Analysis Conference
SAN DIEGO, Calif., February 22, 2019 – On January 30, at the International Modal Analysis Conference (IMAC) in Orlando, Florida, Mr. Ralph Brillhart, ATA Engineering’s Vice President and Technical Director of Test, received the DeMichele Award. Ralph was recognized for his exemplary service and dedication to the modal testing community, demonstrated through his participation in many key industry signature projects, including modal testing of the Space Shuttle main propulsion test article (MPTA), demonstrating multipoint random testing on the Galileo satellite, and ground vibration tests of the Joint Strike Fighter, as well as many other spacecraft, launch vehicles, and themed entertainment projects. Ralph has contributed technically and led ATA testing services as the company flourished to become the largest and most trusted provider of modal testing services in the aerospace industry.
Mr. Brillhart (middle) accepting the DeMichele Award with Wendy Crone, President of SEM (left), and
Mike Mains, Chair of the Modal Analysis and Structural Dynamics Technical Division (right)
At the event, ATA’s President and Technical Director, Dr. Mary Baker, delivered the conference keynote address titled “New Methods for ‘Predictive Modeling and Engineering Design Decisions’ by Removing the Organizational Barriers.” The speech focused on the importance of having staff move across disciplines, including test and analysis, to help catalyze the development of innovative methods that can meet the increasingly complex challenges of higher-performance spacecraft, launch vehicles, and other challenging mechanical structures and robotic systems.
Dr. Baker (middle) accepting the a plaque for presentation of the conference keynote lecture, with Wendy Crone, President
of SEM (left), and Mike Mains, Chair of the Modal Analysis and Structural Dynamics Technical Division (right)
ATA’s strong participation at IMAC included a booth in the exhibit hall, five technical papers, and three tutorials, as well as chairing of five technical sessions.