1. ROBERT R. BLY
238 Northwood Ln. ♦ Natchitoches, LA. 71457 ♦ 440-935-1896 ♦ b.bly@live.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbly/
MECHANICAL ENGINEER / ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT / PRODUCT DESIGN
/ MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
A well-recognized innovator and creator of medical and consumer products which meet exacting needs and
conform to the highest levels of quality. Engineering manager who nurtures engineers and delivers products
exceeding business expectations. Thrives in complex matrix work environments which demand exacting
quality standards and leading-edge product development and production to sustain product Lifecycle using
mechanical mechanisms in metals and composite materials. Experience proven engineer to facilitate product
development from concept to completion. Leadership to balances features, cost and differentiating value to
make outstanding products.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
BLUE SKY INOVATION GROUP, Avon, Oh
Product Supplier to Cabela’s (Independent Design Engineering Contractor)
PRODUCT ENGINEER (May 2015 to April 2016)
Engineering design, testing, and project management of food preparation equipment from Asian suppliers.
Designed and tested electromechanical and injection molded products for Cabela’s to retail. Resolved quality
issues and design improvements with existing products.
INTELLIROD SPINE INC, Akron, Oh
Spinal implant new product Start-up Company
(Contract assignment via Oxford International.)
PRODUCT ENGINEER (October 2014 to April 2015)
 Design and engineering on a spinal implant device to measure strain in a rod-based pedicle screw system.
The microelectronic sensor can be clamped on a rod at the time of surgery to monitor load in the rod.
My responsibility is to ensure the design and product reliability of the sensor and tools for use during the
operation.
 Product design, testing and specification preparation for 510K submission and manufacturing.
 Staff reduced awaiting 510K approval.
INVACARE CORPORATION, Elyria, OH
$1.8 B durable medical equipment manufacturer. (June 1979 to Aug 2014)
I had a 35 year engineering career developing product manufactured and sold in Asia, Europe and the U.S.
When the FDA imposed a consent decree that prohibited development and sales of many products it reduced
revenue to 1.1 B. The loss of sales caused major reductions in staff and my layoff in 2014. The following are
my positions and accomplishments.
PRINCIPAL ENGINEER, LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS (2011 to Aug 2014)
 Led design and development of engineering projects including: Alegio NG (Pat. Pend) and Medley Ergo
beds manufactured and marketed in Europe: to EN 60601-2-58. Developed and introduced I-Lift series
patient lifters produced in China for US market to EN 10535 requirement.

2.  Supervised 5-8 engineering associates and sustained product support for Safe Patient Handling products
which include all Patient Lifts, Beds, Seating & Positioning, Bathing. Provided engineering leadership to
operations, quality, sales and regulatory regarding product concerns.
PAGE 2 ROBERT R. BLY
PRINCIPAL ENGINEER ICC (2009 to 2011)
 Led technical design, development, testing and product introduction for multiple projects including:
Openbus controls for CS beds that provide constant leveling intergraded nurse call and under bed light
accessories; Attendant Control Panels, Pendants and Actuators; led RFI and life testing for UL
certification CB Scheme report; completed design and testing of TheraPure Bathing Tub line
incorporating new whirlpool motors, solenoid operated valves and new control designs to ISO 60601
requirement.
SENIOR PRODUCT ENGINEER, ICC (2005 to 2009)
 Supported Continuing Care Business Unit responsible for design and engineering of DLX series beds to
reliably meet low cost customer requirements. Managed contracted engineering staff to develop Bathing
Lift and led product documentation and transfer to production.
 Developed newly patented CS Series Bed series for market with extensive IP protection. Beds are
foundation product for sales in nursing facilities that ICC lacked and provided pricing and features
ranging from basic nursing to acute care. Beds meet the requirement to elevate form 7" to 30", IEC
60601-2-38 standards and introduced tool-less accessories. Design reduced manufacturing time and space
requirement for storage and shipping. Bed designs resulted in 3 utility patents.
PRINCIPAL ENGINEER IVC PRODUCTS (2003 to 2005)
 Managed 4 engineers and led cross functional teams that developed new products and accessories for
Standard Wheelchair, Personal Care, and Patient Transport product lines. Other projects included Rollite
line expansion, WalkLite, Court-Side Glides.
 Managed Asian sourcing and manufacturing of personal Care products with Invacare Asia manufacturing
and independent suppliers.
ENGINEERING MANAGER (2002 to 2003)
 Managed introduction of new products and product maintenance support for Standard Wheelchairs and
Personal Care product line.
ENGINEERING MANAGER, DME PRODUCTS (1999 to 2002)
 Oversaw all product development for products produced in Mexico, Florida and Elyria including
Wheelchairs, Personal care, and Patient Lifts. Supervised 9 design engineers, 1 CAD designer and 3
technicians. Project results included million dollar annual cost savings, 700-LB Bariatric wheelchairs,
Children's wheelchair, Upholstered Lift Chairs and imported commodity medical product.
ENGINEERING SUPERVISOR. Patient Transport and Continuing Care Products (1998 to 1999)
 Supervised 4 project engineers, 2 CAD designers who designed molded Bath Safety Products.
SENIOR PROJECT ENGINEER, Manual Business Unit, (1996 to 1998)
 Supported product development projects including 600 and 450 Pound Capacity Electric and Hydraulic
Boom Patient Lifts; design of Patient Stand-Up Lift and Electronic Weigh Scale for patient care.
PROJECT ENGINEER (1986 to 1991)

3.  Received patents and created innovative designs which propelled sales from $600K to $24M for 6291
Walker, many additional product introductions established Invacare in Personal Care Market.
PROJECT ENGINEER, Durable Medical Products (1980 to 1986)
SPECIAL PRODUCTS ENGINEER (1979)
PAGE 3 ROBERT R. BLY
EDUCATION
 B.S., Mechanical Engineering Technology, University of Akron, Akron, OH
 Additional training; FDA Part 820 including design controls, Medical Device Directive for European
Design controls, Risk Management ISO 14971, CAPA, Project Planning and Management,
PATENTS & AWARDS
 19 patents granted, other patents pending
 Gold Award for product design from the American Society on Aging