Fatigue Analysis

Fatigue is a material failure mechanism whereby repeated sub-critical loads nucleate and grow cracks that can ultimately lead to failure of a structure. Hill Engineering routinely performs fatigue analysis to quantify and predict fatigue performance of materials. State-of-the-art fatigue analysis is subdivided into categories, including durability (crack initiation) or damage tolerance (crack growth). The appropriate fatigue analysis for a given design depends on the application. Continue reading Fatigue Analysis

Come see us at AeroMat 2017

Hill Engineering is presenting about advanced manufacturing methods and their effects on residual stress at the upcoming 2017 AeroMat Conference in Charleston, SC. The event is organized by ASM International and is hosted by Arconic. Hill Engineering’s presentation will include a summary of recent programs where we evaluated the residual stress from a variety of advanced manufacturing methods. The abstract text is presented below. Continue reading Come see us at AeroMat 2017

Building a Quality System

As was previously discussed, Hill Engineering was recently awarded ISO17025:2005 accreditation for our Quality System. Developing a Quality System that is compliant with ISO is a significant effort, and at Hill Engineering we took it as an opportunity to improve the quality and documentation of our laboratory residual stress measurement services. Here’s a look back on some of the highlights in the development of our Quality System. Continue reading Building a Quality System

The Prime Room

Hill Engineering recently moved into a new facility in Rancho Cordova, CA. The new facility features a combination of laboratory, research and development, and office space; all of which are important as we work tenaciously to meet the needs of our current projects, while at the same time keeping an eye towards innovation and new opportunities. We have proudly named the primary conference room in our new facility the Prime Room, a fitting tribute to a special Hill Engineering collaborator, the inventor of the contour method, and inspirational figure, Mike Prime. Continue reading The Prime Room

Hill Engineering achieves ISO 17025 certification

We are excited to announce that Hill Engineering was recently awarded ISO17025:2005 accreditation!

ISO/IEC 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories is the primary ISO standard used by testing and calibration laboratories. Hill Engineering was accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). Compliance with the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standard provides an internationally recognized basis for laboratory accreditation. The standard is used to govern Hill Engineering’s Quality System and entails adherence to rigorous technical requirements. Continue reading Hill Engineering achieves ISO 17025 certification

Residual stress analysis

Material fabrication processes like forging, rolling, extrusion, quenching, additive manufacturing, machining, and welding lock spatially varying residual stress fields into structural materials. These residual stresses can influence the way that materials perform (e.g., fatigue, fracture, distortion, and corrosion). Hill Engineering has developed expertise to support many different types of residual stress analysis, which we apply to help our customers manage residual stresses effectively in design. The following are some examples of residual stress analysis. Continue reading Residual stress analysis

Axes & Alloys mix metal with music!

Who says engineers don’t know how to have fun?

Axes & Alloys is a band comprised of six of Hill Engineering’s employees. Formed out of a shared love for all things rock n’ roll (or maybe pop, country, and some rock), the Axes got our start around three years ago, with original members Teresa (lead vocals), Adrian (guitar), and Brett (guitar). Their casual rehearsal format eventually welcomed Camille as the keyboardist, Robby as a second singer and keyboardist, and Justin as drummer. Continue reading Axes & Alloys mix metal with music!