Robert A. Mehl has experience in seat engineering, structural analysis, testing, and design. He has performed structural analysis using FEA on automotive seats to evaluate loading conditions. He has also provided litigation support analyzing automotive crash test data. Mehl has experience designing seatbelt systems, ensuring proper strength, routing and accessibility to meet safety standards. Additionally, he led the design of a military gunner turret sling seat, meeting requirements for increased comfort, survivability, and blast performance while reducing costs.

1. Seat Engineering
Design, Analysis and Testing
Skills and Experiences Presentation
Robert A. Mehl
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2. Automotive – Seat Structural Analysis and Testing
• Structural Analysis - FEA
• Performed analyses of FMVSS 207 / 210 loading conditions
• DAEWOO (GM) Nubira
• Jeep Wrangler (XJ)
• Structural Analysis – Defense Litigation Support
• Prepared casework as part of Holmes v Ford, et al.
• Reviewed FMVSS 207 / 210 test data for a
multitude of cars, pickup trucks and SUVs.
• Analyzed plaintiff dynamic testing and assisted
defense counsel / fellow experts.
Robert A. Mehl - Professional Experiences 2

3. Automotive / Aviation / Military – Design
• Structural integrity of seat system including seatbelts
• Analyzed seatbelt components - FMVSS 207 / 210 loads
• Seatbelt routing, accessibility and strength per FMVSS 209
• Application engineering for seatbelts to ensure proper seatbelt
strength, routing and accessibility standards were met.
• Worked with automotive (VW, Ford), military and executive aviation
customers to meet their needs.
Robert A. Mehl - Professional Experiences 3

4. Military – Gunner Turret Sling Seat - Background
• Design and Program Responsible
• Meet cost and timing targets
• DFM - Used Spanish skills to build team / improve manufacturability
• Build supply base / reduce supplier costs
• Design parameters
• Increased user comfort Improve ingress / egress
• Easily installed with no hardware changes
• Develop integral EA device to improve gunner survivability
• Final Project Results – System Mine Blast Performance
• First gunner sling seat to pass all injury numbers
• Reduces lumbar load / pelvic acceleration consistently
• EA capability remaining post-test (heavy occupant / more severe blast)
Robert A. Mehl - Professional Experiences 4

5. Military – Gunner Turret Sling Seat - Results
• Program / Design Results
• All customer concerns / design targets and timing addressed
• Capabilities not found in other competitor’s sling seats
• Energy Absorption capabilities (EA) Padded adjustable seat back / rest
• Contoured seat base Dual emergency release shackles
• Maintained BOM cost / sales price while adding content
• Opportunity for $ 18 MM business
• Increased component supplier base  resulted in secondary program
cost reductions
Robert A. Mehl - Professional Experiences 5