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Aurora Online Vegter 2017
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Yi Gao, Engineering Fellow
Engineering Fellow

Biography:
Yi brings over 30 years of experience in steel and aluminium applications, stemming from his PhD research on metal composite fatigue. His expertise extends beyond fatigue and fracture to encompass automotive material selection and electrical steels for EV e-motors.

Yi’s extensive customer support background includes serving as an R&D Resident / Liaison Engineer for a major UK automotive OEM. In this role, he bridges the gap between company experts and customers, while providing direct technical responses within his own areas of expertise.

As the technical lead and coordinator for Tata Steel UK, Yi represents the company in Innovate-UK collaborations focused on steel applications for E-mobility.
E: yi.gao@tatasteeleurope.com

Yi Gao
Area of speciality: Material modelling and testing
Andy Ruthven
Principal Engineer

Further area of speciality:- Forming simulation on different methods of making parts from sheet steel including but not limited to stamping, hydroforming, bending, roll forming and hot pressing in all steel but most experience on Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS).  Analysed panels from all areas of an Automotive vehicle so has extensive knowledge on assembly and is an expert on Value Added / Value engineering VA/VE’s on Body in white structures (BIW).

Biography:
Andy has working as an automotive consultant at Tata steel for 26 years. His experience in using FEA started at University conducting aerodynamics studies on formula student race car during his Mechanical Engineering Degree.  This lead to a career at Tata Steel learning stamping simulation using ESI’s Pamstamp whilst backed up with practical problem solving using strain analysis at customer press shops.  Considerable experience has been built up over the years evaluating AHSS parts and working on flagship projects (ULSAB, ULSAS, FSV,) where his expertise has been recognised Globally.  During the is time an Masters of Research in Material Engineering was completed   Tata steel was also one of the first companies to link forming properties to crash (F2C) where he was heavily involved with the development.  Tata steel also started doing VA/VE’s and Andy became a valued contributed to these projects providing lots of ideas using his earned expertise on  automotive structures, crash requirements, forming feasibility, manufacturing and assembly knowledge.  Over the years his skill has been used in 100’s of project providing solutions to customers and this has spread from the automotive sector into other business units, for instance Yellow goods and Packaging.  Whilst continually learning throughout  his career Andy is more than happy to pass his knowledge on to Graduates coming into he business.  Currently, most of his work involves leading material test organisation, evaluation and customer support projects.
E: Andy.Ruthven@tatasteeleurope.com
 

Andrew Ruthven
Area of speciality: Forming and material testing
Janka Cafolla
Principal engineer

Further area of speciality: vehicle impact simulations predominantly using LS-DYNA; gauge/grade optimisation of vehicle components and off-highway machinery; fracture modelling; Aurora Online UK administrator.

Biography:
Janka has worked in the automotive sector as a structural analyst for 25 years. Her experience with finite element modelling started during her studies at Warwick University where she gained her PhD in Structural Engineering. Her considerable experience in crash analysis is helping Tata Steel evaluate the potential for new steels in body structures. Her expertise in LS-DYNA software supports many Value Added / Value Engineering (VA/VE) projects; projects involving the light weighting of vehicle structures or its components in either automotive or off-highway sectors; understanding of modelling fracture failure in FE software and many other projects. Over the years with TATA Steel, Janka has led several projects supporting customers and new product development and application of advanced / ultra high-strength steel grades.

E: Janka.Cafolla@tatasteeleurope.com 

Janka Cafolla
Area of speciality: Crashworthiness and structural analysis