WHO WE ARE
Meet the team behind AFMA
We are dedicated to exceeding your expectations and fulfilling all your testing or machining needs.
RAYMOND "KEITH" KERSEY
Founder, Testing Specialist
Since 1990, Keith Kersey has developed advanced methods in a multitude of mechanical testing techniques. Kersey furthered the development of two groundbreaking advancements known as the Adjusted Compliance Ratio technique (ACR) and the Master Curve Approach by applying the technique to seven materials from room temperature to 1400F, 760C. This work is currently under peer review to be published. These methods correct the inaccuracies of decades of test data generated previously and are the premise of the competitive advantage that AFMA has been founded.
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As part of the FLcgs development team, Keith is responsible for validating controller code releases by performing shakedown tests and providing feedback on performance, stability and calculational accuracy.
EDUCATION
Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering
University of Hartford
NANCY MAGNUSON
Program Manager
​Nancy has over 25 years of administrative and management experience. She completed her associate degree in 1990 and had previously graduated from numerous United States Air Force administrative, management, supervisory, and safety courses.
EDUCATION
Associate Degree in Legal Secretarial Studies,
Phillips Junior College
​USAF Administrative Specialist School
USAF Management Course
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TIMOTHY WENGLOWSKI
Machining Specialist
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EDUCATION
Bachelor of Civil Engineering
University of Oak Valley
LICENSE
Registered Civil Engineer
TIMOTHY WENGLOWSKI
Machining Specialist
Tim started machining in 2016. He has experience with tool making on 3 axis milling machines such as Hurco and Haas milling machines as well as tight tolerance work with surface grinding. He has now added wire EDM work on the Sodick machine to his portfolio.
Mastercam 2022 is utilized for all milling operations and programming. 3D Mill along with high-speed machining, surfacing and other features involved in the CAD software are frequently used.
EDUCATION
Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice
University of New Haven
LICENSE
Mastercam
MICHAEL MAROTTA
Data Analyst, Modeling Specialist, Programmer
Michael Marotta has over 25 years of experience in the field of fatigue and fracture mechanics, including fatigue life system development, thermal-mechanical fatigue modeling, constitutive behavior, test program management, as well as automated data processing and analysis tool development.
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Michael is the programmer of the FLcgs controller and postprocessing software, working closely with customers to promptly address their needs with updates, simple bug fixes, or the incorporation of entirely new features.
EDUCATION
Bachelor's Degree in Physics
Drew University
Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering
Lehigh University
RICHARD PETTIT
Founder, FractureLab
Dr. Pettit is a registered professional engineer in the state of Utah, and is the founder and Managing Director of FractureLab LLC, a consulting and specialty laboratory services firm in the fracture mechanics field. He is the inventor and developer of the first Flat Bottom Hole specimen and the piezoelectric test rigs used at FractureLab, and an electrothermal crack-tip marking system among several other innovative R&D efforts involving high-frequency crack growth test software development, threshold testing, laser fatigue testing and laser control for additive manufacturing. He is also a founding member of the Integrative Material Design Center (iMdc) at WPI.
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As a core member of the FLcgs development team, Rick is responsible for evaluating the efficacy of the controller software at very high frequency using the FractureLab piezoelectric rig. He has provided years of insight and advice in the field of specimen development, custom crack length and K solutions, and crack growth modeling.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering
Cornell University
Master's Degree, Mechanical Engineering
Brigham Young University
Bachelor's Degree, Mechanical Engineering
Brigham Young University
MATTHEW STRENKOWSKI
Systems engineer
bio coming soon
EDUCATION
Bachelor's Degree, Electrical Engineering
University of Connecticut
AFMA is a specialized testing facility. We utilize state-of-the-art testing equipment and implement procedures to achieve the highest quality testing performance! Ask us about our cutting-edge fatigue and fracture mechanics software or schedule an online demonstration! You will be amazed at what it can do for your fatigue and fracture testing lab.
We are passionate about fatigue crack growth.
CORE VALUES:
Creativity
We are always innovating. We continually update our procedures and equipment/tools to provide greater accuracy and better results. Our software and hardware products combine the best of all worlds, ease of use and full functionality of all legacy software, with an intuitive workflow structure. Engineered with the novice in mind and the horsepower for the seasoned experimentalist.
Efficiency
We reduce the setup period to less than 24 hours. With this efficiency gain, we can complete testing 40 days in advance of our competitors for a 24-test program. Our FLcgs software will allow for multiple test segments to be automatically preprogramed, moving through a full fracture mechanics test unattended. For example, finish off a precrack and jump into a marker band segment, then into a threshold test, region II K controlled test followed by a load control upper region II test autonomously saving time and money.
Sustainability
We believe in reducing our carbon footprint. During our building phase, we added radiant heat flooring. Our goal is to use a heat exchanger connected from the pumps that will then be used to recycle heat.
RICHARD PETTIT
Founder, FractureLab
Dr. Pettit is a registered professional engineer in the state of Utah, and is the founder and Managing Director of FractureLab LLC, a consulting and specialty laboratory services firm in the fracture mechanics field. He is the inventor and developer of the first Flat Bottom Hole specimen and the piezoelectric test rigs used at FractureLab, and an electrothermal crack-tip marking system among several other innovative R&D efforts involving high-frequency crack growth test software development, threshold testing, laser fatigue testing and laser control for additive manufacturing. He is also a founding member of the Integrative Material Design Center (iMdc) at WPI.
​
As a core member of the FLcgs development team, Rick is responsible for evaluating the efficacy of the controller software at very high frequency using the FractureLab piezoelectric rig. He has provided years of insight and advice in the field of specimen development, custom crack length and K solutions, and crack growth modeling.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering
Cornell University
Master's Degree, Mechanical Engineering
Brigham Young University
Bachelor's Degree, Mechanical Engineering
Brigham Young University