Technicians

Crane Engineering has a solid team of technicians who comprise more than 75 years of experience in the mechanical and metallurgical fields: From left to right: Vern Gothman, Jeff Trei, Hugh Robinson, and Jean Schlosser.

Vern H. Gothman
Mechanical Technician

Vern Gothman’s experience as a metal fabricator and manufacturing technician serves him well as Crane Engineering’s mechanical technician. He assists with case management, testing, inspections, artifact handling, safety training and special projects. He also calibrates and maintains Crane’s testing and inspection equipment. In a previous position, he was awarded a U.S. patent for a process that helped save his employer $20 million per year in warranty claims. Vern also has helped optimize fabrication procedures and plans and has focused on quality assurance and improvements, recommending cost reductions and changes in delivery methods, data recording, computer-aided design and more. He is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators.. He may be reached at verng@CraneEngineering.com.

 

Hugh M. Robinson
Metallurgical Technician

Hugh Robinson is an integral part of the laboratory support team for the firm's research, testing and investigative services. He prepares metallographic samples and forensic specimens; assists in failure analysis; and conducts evaluations of hardness, chemistries and tensile strength. He also is the backup SEM operator. Hugh worked for a number of years in the heat-treating industry and has in-depth knowledge of material capabilities, lab process development, distortion reduction and failure prevention, and microstructural improvements. Hugh also maintains direct contact with clients on metallurgical matters and assists engineers with experiments and analyses. He is a certified quality engineer and manages quality control of laboratory activities. Hugh is a member of ASM International. He may be reached at hughr@CraneEngineering.com.

 

Jean L. Schlosser
Electron Microscopy Manager

Jean Schlosser is highly regarded as a leader in SEM/EDS (scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry) technology. Her analytical background includes all areas of material failures, fractures, corrosion, wear and deformation as well as biological samples. Jean has more than 30 years of experience interpreting SEM/EDS data and can quickly recommend appropriate analytical protocol to meet client objectives. She oversees every aspect of the SEM/EDS service, including digital imaging, qualitative/quantitative chemical analysis, and color x-ray mapping. Jean participates in the Microscopy Society of America, the Microbeam Analysis Society, ASM International, Association of Women in the Metals Industries, LifeScience Alley and more. She is a former president of the Minnesota Microscope Society. Jean may be reached at jeans@CraneEngineering.com.

 

Jeff Trei
Engineering Technician

Jeff Trei has worked in a variety of engineering environments and has handled diverse responsibilities – from forensic inspection and handling of crucial evidence to design, assembly and testing of various mechanical and electrical components. He is proficient using AutoCAD to map incident sites and vehicle components and has experience using Sokkia total station surveying equipment. Previously Jeff inspected fire-damaged vehicles for faulty workmanship or product design defects. He also has been tapped for his technical writing skills – drafting and revising engineering expert reports used in court testimony and abstracting depositions and indexing thousands of pages of engineering design documents. He also has worked as a senior draftsman. Jeff may be reached at jefft@CraneEngineering.com.

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