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Earl Ruth
Director of Technology
Tinius Olsen Testing
Machine Co. |
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“The biggest advantage to participating in the ASTM process is the free education that you get by working with a diverse group of individuals with a common goal - standardization of a product or test method” |
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Who is your current employer and what is your current position? |
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I work for Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Co., Horsham, Pa., as director of technology, a position I have held since 1998. As director of technology, my main focus has been the design of machinery for determining the properties of materials. I started with the company as a mechanical engineer after my college graduation. |
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Where did you obtain your undergraduate/ graduate degree(s) and in what fields? |
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I graduated magna cum laude from University of Missouri-Rolla with a B.S. in engineering mechanics in 1984. |
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When and why did you become involved in ASTM International? |
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In 1985, soon after I joined Tinius Olsen, my employer encouraged me to join and be active in ASTM. I became involved and continue to be an active participant in standards work. |
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In which committees are you active? Are you a committee officer; if so, what group or groups? |
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Currently, I am chair of ASTM Committee E28 on Mechanical Testing, a committee with some 400 members responsible for 53 standards. I served on the Committee on Standards (COS) and was the chair of the COS Task Group on Measurement Uncertainty. An ASTM fellow and Award of Merit recipient, I have also been recognized with Awards of Appreciation for my work in E28.
I have also actively participated in the development of standards through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and am currently the head of the U.S. delegation to ISO/TC164/SC1 Committee on Mechanical Testing, Subcommittee on Uniaxial Testing.
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How do you apply ASTM standards in your work? |
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Most of the equipment our company manufactures is designed to perform ASTM tests. We need to know how these standards are changing to ensure that our equipment continues to conform to the standard. |
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Apart from using standards, are there advantages to participating in standards development? |
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The biggest advantage to participating in the ASTM process is the free education that you get by working with a diverse group of individuals with a common goal—standardization of a product or test method. |
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What are some of your favorite aspects of your job? |
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The best thing about my job is its variety. |
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Are there advantages that you can identify that result from having an understanding of standards? |
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Having an understanding of standards and how they are developed helps one better comprehend and interpret standards. While you can pay consultants to interpret standards for you, invariably they do not fully understand your specific circumstances and the options available to you. Fully understanding standards within the context of your circumstances and the options available to you can help you and your company save a lot of time and money. |
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Are there any words of wisdom that you can offer to professionals starting out in your field? |
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I recommend that people get actively involved in the standards development process relevant to your field of specialization.
2005
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