- Physical-Mechanical Testing
- Physical-Mechanical Testing of Products
- Physical-Mechanical Testing of Materials
- Custom Mixing, milling, & molding
- Unvulcanized Rubber
- Properties in Tension & Compression at Various Temperatures
- Flex & Fatigue
- Abrasion Resistance
- Cold Temperature Properties
- Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
- Environmental conditioning & exposure
- Adhesion
- Hardness & Density
- Coefficient of Friction
- Cut & Chip Resistance
- Additional Plastics Testing
- Reference Materials
- Composites Testing
- Chemical-Analytical
- Technology Consulting
- Processing & Development
- Information Services
Smithers Consulting Team
Michael L. Bair
Senior Manager, Technical Consulting
Mr. Bair provides consulting services in a variety of areas within the tire industry. His expertise includes forensic analysis of failed tires, standard of care in tire sales and servicing, tire application and fitment, field and fleet performance analysis, vehicle dynamics and controllability issues and governmental regulations. His expertise resides within the context of a thorough understanding of the tire industry, per se. He has testified in state and federal courts in the USA.
Mike has been on the consulting staff at Smithers Rapra since January of 2005. Prior to joining Smithers, during the period 1972 through 2004, Mike held a variety of positions in the business, technical and regulatory areas during his career with Michelin North America, Inc. Prior to his Michelin employment, he served as a commissioned officer and helicopter gunship pilot in the US Army.
You may contact Mike directly to arrange for an initial discussion, request his Curriculum Vitae, etc.
Contact Information
Tel: 330-762-7441
Fax: 330-762-7447
Mobile: 330-414-0108
mbair@smithers.com
Bruce Lambillotte
Dr. James Popio, Ph.D.
General Manager / Director of Engineering, Smithers Rapra, Inc.
Dr. Popio is the General Manager/Director of Engineering at Smithers Rapra, where he provides expertise in product evaluation and operations. He has expertise in the area of test development with an emphasis on end of life and overall performance. His focus areas are fatigue, fracture, wear, vehicle dynamics and phenomenological characterization. He also has expertise in operational efficiencies and capacity analysis.
Prior to his career at Smithers, Jim worked at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Bridgestone/Firestone for six years as a Senior Engineer and Staff Development Engineer, where he developed and designed new test methods and test equipment, coordinated testing, evaluated OEM requirements and specifications, and worked in research and development. He holds a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Akron, and a Ph.D. in Engineering, also from The University of Akron.
Contact Information:
Tel: 330-762-7441
Mobile: 330-414-6317
jpopio@smithers.com