Finding Cause, Revealing Truths
Crane Engineering’s mechanical, metallurgical and chemical engineering experts use critical analysis skills and key laboratory tests to find answers for their clients, often saving clients trial time and litigation expenses. The engineers frequently call on the company’s JEOL 5800LV Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Noran Voyager III Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry to examine samples since minimal sample preparation is necessary and there is little chance of evidence spoliation. Here are just a few examples of how Crane Engineering has helped its clients nationwide.
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Problem: A worker reported to his superior that he injured his back while operating the “parking jack” on a semi-trailer. The worker’s allegations evolved into claims of defective design of the jack mechanism. Crane Engineering’s mechanical engineering staff was asked to evaluate the jack’s design to determine whether manufacturing or design problems could have resulted in the alleged incident. |
Solution: Identical jacks to the one in question were carefully examined and analyzed using equipment such as the company’s Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The actual jack involved in the incident was compared to these analyses, revealing that it was manufactured according to specifications and that, under these circumstances, the product behavior described by the worker could not have occurred. Crane Engineering highlighted these findings through illustrations and cutaway models. The result was the client’s successful resolution of the matter prior to going to trial. |
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| Problem: A fire resulting in extensive property damage was thought to have been caused by a cooking oil-filled deep fryer located too close to an over-filled propane cylinder on an outdoor wooden deck. Allegedly, the deep fryer heated the cylinder, causing the propane to expand and the cylinder to rupture. Was this what started the fire? |
Solution: Crane Engineering first conducted a test proving that an over-filled propane cylinder placed close to a heat source would not rupture or vent gas. Subsequent testing led to the theory that the fire was caused when the cooking oil in the deep fryer overheated, auto-ignited, overflowed and set the deck ablaze. When incident conditions were duplicated, the outcome was as predicted: The overheated deep fryer ignited, causing a fire that surely would have resulted in major property damage. The result was an unexpectedly inexpensive and rapid resolution requested by the opposing party. |
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Problem: A baby monitor was involved in an infantfatality fire in a large Midwestern city. The monitor’s thin-gauge power-coil wires displayed small beads on their ends and surfaces. Crane Engineering was asked to find out what had caused the beads. |
Solution: With their metallurgical stereomicroscope, Crane Engineering’s lab staff surveyed the power-coil surface, finding and “landmarking” several beaded wires for further investigation with the company’s SEM. SEM analysis showed that the beading resulted from electrical arcing. The metallurgical analysis eliminated any ambiguity regarding the cause of the fire, allowing the client to aggressively assert its theory of the case. |
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| Crane Engineering and Forensic Services offers a range of forensic engineering, investigative and technical consulting services to serve the legal profession, insurance industry, medical technology industry, and industrial and commercial clients. | ||