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Contact Information

Status: Asst. Professor, Mechanical Engineering                               

 

Primary Office/Address (Savannah Campus):

The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology Savannah (GTS)
210 Technology Circle
Savannah, Georgia 31407-3039, USA

Office: Building PARB, Room 218

Phone: +1 (912) 966-7946
Fax:    +1 (912) 966-7928
Email:   dirk.schaefer@me.gatech.edu
URL:   http://www.gtsav.gatech.edu/me/faculty/schaefer.html

 

Assistant:

 

Secondary Office/Address (Atlanta Campus):

The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
813 Ferst Drive, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0405, USA

Office: MaRC (Manufacturing Research Center), Room 259

Phone: +1 (404) 894-3256
Fax:    +1 (404) 894-9324 
Email:   dirk.schaefer@me.gatech.edu
URL:    http://www.me.gatech.edu/faculty/schaefer.shtml

 

Assistant: Stephanie Merrick
Tel. +1 (404) 894-0413 - Email: stephanie.merrick@me.gatech.edu

 

 

 

 

 

Research Interests

Main areas

  • Computer-aided Engineering and Design
  • Information Engineering for Complex Engineered Systems
  • Virtual Engineering and Digital Enterprise Technology
  • Systems Integration
  • Engineering Education

 

Dr. Schaefer has experience in Research and Development on the boundaries between Engineering and Information Technology principles. Long standing work has mainly addressed product modeling, variant design technology, product life-cycle management, interdisciplinary ECAD-to-MCAD integration, design-with-manufacture integration, standardized product data exchange, and knowledge management. His current research focus is on Virtual Engineering, Digital Enterprise Technology and Systems Integration: A digital enterprise may be defined as the integration of a company’s product, their processes, and recourses necessary to develop/manufacture the product into a digital model. Key challenges are:

 

  • All information relevant to production engineering (from strategy planning to production start-up) has to be provided in terms of one overall digital model.
  • Provision of fully integrated IT systems (including legacy systems) for developing the overall digital enterprise model.
  • Use of integrated simulation systems for developing integrated virtual prototypes and virtual reality simulations of various processes.
  • Integration and cross linking of all interfaces (logistics, factory layout, etc.) and disciplines (i.e. design, manufacture, etc.) concerned by utilizing computerized digital process support (i.e. workflow management, real time scheduling, etc.).
  • Development of virtual engineering environments (i.e. portals for computer supported co-operative work (CSCW), application sharing, distributed processes, etc.).

 

In order to realize Virtual Engineering as outlined above, novel technology for product design and development within distributed information-driven engineering environments as well as a framework that integrates systems and methods for the digital modeling of the global product development and realization process are required. 

 

Biography

Dr. Dirk Schaefer is an Asst. Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. Prior to joining Georgia Tech, Dr. Schaefer was a Lecturer in the School of Engineering at Durham University, UK. During his time at Durham, he earned a Postgraduate Certificate in "Teaching and Learning in Higher Education" (PG-Cert). He joined Durham from a Senior Research Associate position at the University of Stuttgart, Germany, where he earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science. Dr. Schaefer also held positions as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Computer Science at the University of Applied Sciences in Aalen, and as a Lecturer in Computer Science at two private IT Academies in Esslingen and Dresden. In addition, he was the Managing Director of an IT consulting firm which he founded in 1999. Dr. Schaefer started his career as an apprentice Toolmaker with one of Germany’s leading metal forming companies, where he specialized in CNC machining and the manufacture of compound tool sets for knuckle joint presses. On completion of his apprenticeship he went on to obtain an Advanced Technical College Certificate in Mechanical Engineering and followed this with a Masters degree in Mathematics from the University of Duisburg, Germany. Prior to working in academia Dr. Schaefer gained experience as a Software Engineer in the area of CAD system development.

 

Dr. Schaefer has published around 70 papers in journals, books and conference proceedings on Computer-Aided Engineering and Design as well as Engineering Education. He has presented his work at numerous international meetings, regularly organizes an international conference on ECAD/ECAE Technology and serves on scientific program committees. Dr. Schaefer is a member of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), The Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE), The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), The American Mathematical Society (AMS), The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), The European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI), The Institution of Engineering Designers (IED), The British Computer Society (BCS), The European Mathematical Society (EMS), The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), The German Association of Computer Scientists (GI), The German Association of Engineers (VDI) and The Association of German Mathematicians (DMV). Dr. Schaefer is also a registered professional European Engineer (Eur Ing), a Chartered Engineer (CEng), a Chartered IT-Professional (CITP) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) in the UK.

 

Publications

Please note: For publications in German language translated titles are added in brackets.

Journal Articles

Books Authored

Books Edited

Book Chapters

  • [5] Cheung, W.M., Yarrow, G.F.Y. and D. Schaefer (2010): “Product Lifecycle Management: State-of-the-art and Future Perspectives”, In: M.M. Cruz-Cunha (Eds), Enterprise Information Systems for Business Integration in SMEs: Technological, Organizational and Social Dimensions, (Advances in Information Management book series), Poltechnic Institute of Cavado and Ave, 4750, Barcelos, Portugal, abstract accepted
    •
  • [4] Chen, K.K., Bankston, J.M., Panchal, J.H. and D. Schaefer (2009): “A Framework For The Integrated Design of Mechatronic Products”, In: Wang, L. and A.Y.C. Nee. (Eds.), Collaborative Design and Planning for Digital Manufacturing, Springer, in print
  • [3] Roller, D., Eck, O., Rieg, B. and D. Schaefer (2002): “Representation and Conversion of Dimension Units in CAD Data Models”, In: Cugini, U.,  Wozny, M. (Eds.), From Knowledge Intensive CAD to Knowledge Intensive Engineering, Series: IFIP International Federation for Information Processing, Kluwer Academic Publishers, ISBN 0792376196, pp. 91-102
  • [2] Roller, D. and D. Schaefer (2000): “Variant Design in Electrical Engineering - An Extension of Parametric Modeling”, In: Brunet, P., Hoffmann, C., Roller, D. (Eds.), CAD - Tools and Algorithms for Product Design. Berlin, Springer. ISBN 3-540-66204-9, pp. 233-250
  • [1] Schaefer, D. and D. Roller (1999): “Software- und Systementwicklung fuer technische Anwendungen“ [“Software development in respect to industrial engineering applications”], In: Computer Graphik Markt 1999/2000. 1. Auflage. Heidelberg: Dressler-Verlag, ISBN 3 79 831503 pp. II- 2-9

Refereed Conference Papers

  • [30] Utschig, T.T. and D. Schaefer (2008): “Opportunities and Challenges in Professional Education-related Faculty Development in the US” Frontiers in Education, Saratoga Springs, New York, October 22-25, 2008
  • [29] Chen, K., Panchal, J.H. and D. Schaefer (2008): “An Integrated Approach to Design Mechatronic Systems: Cross-disciplinary Constraint Modeling” ASME 2008 International Design Engineering Technical Conference & Computers and Information in EngineeringConference IDETC/CIE 2008, New York City, New York, August 3-6, 2008
  • [28] Yang, S., Tseng, M.M., Schaefer, D. and M. Fathianathan (2008): “An Evo-Devo Framework for Computational Design Synthesis Based on a Regulation Process” ASME 2008 International Design Engineering Technical Conference & Computers and Information in EngineeringConference IDETC/CIE 2008, New York City, New York, August 3-6, 2008
  • [27] Schaefer, D. and T.T. Utschig (2008): “A Review of Professional Qualifications, Development, and Recognition of Faculty Teaching in Higher Education around the World” 2008 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 22-25, 2008
  • [26] Utschig, T.T. and D. Schaefer (2008): “Critical Elements for Future Programs Seeking to Establish Excellence in Engineering Education through Professional Qualification of Faculty Teaching in Higher Education” IACEE 11th World Conference on Continuing Engineering Education, Atlanta, Georgia, May 20-23, 2008
  • [25] Schaefer, D., Scott, D.W., Molina, G.J., Al-Kalaani, Y., Murphy, T., Johnson, W.,and P. Thamburaj Goeser (2008): “Integration of Distance Learning Technology into Traditional Engineering Physical Laboratory Excercises”, In: Thomas, B. (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2008 ASEE-SE Annual Conference - Building Bridges: Making the Connections that Facilitate Engineering Education, Memphis, Tennessee, April 6-8, 2008, pp. 2.28
  • [24] Chen, K. and D. Schaefer (2007): “MCAD-ECAD-Integration: Overview and Future Research Perspectives” 2007 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition (IMECE07), Seattle, Washington, November 11-15, 2007, paper number IMECE2007-41705
  • [23] Schaefer, D. and J.H. Panchal (2007): “Linking Research and Teaching: A Machine Design Course Orchestrated Around a Rotary Diesel Engine Patent” 2007 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition (IMECE07), Seattle, Washington, USA, November 11-15, 2007, paper number: IMECE2007-41336
  • [22] Choi, S.-K., Fathianathan, M. and D. Schaefer (2007): “Optimization of Complex Engineered Systems Under Risk and Uncertainty” Proceedings of the ASME 2007 International Design Engineering Technical Conference & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference IDETC/CIE 2007, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, September 4-7, 2007, paper number: DETC2007-34678, ISBN 0-7918-3806-4
  • [21] Schaefer, D., Panchal, J.H., Choi, S.K and F. Mistree (2007): “Strategic Design of Engineering Education for the Flat World,” In: Proceedings of the MUDD Design Workshop VI: Design and Engineering Education in a Flat World, Center for Design Education, Department of Engineering, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, California, USA, May 23-25, 2007, ISBN 978-0-9677049-5-1
  • [20] Kirkland, N., Vitanov, V. and D. Schaefer (2007): “An Investigation into Utilizing Current Information Technologies to Provide Engineering Education to Sub-Saharan Africa,” In: Proceedings of the MUDD Design Workshop VI: Design and Engineering Education in a Flat World, Center for Design Education, Department of Engineering, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, California, USA, May 23-25, 2007, ISBN 978-0-9677049-5-1
  • [19] Schaefer, D. (2007): “Advising The Advisor: Professional Development of Junior Faculty”, In: Thomas, B. (Ed.), Proceedings of the ASEE Southeastern Section Annual Conference: "Advancing Scholarship in Engineering Education: Lessons Learned From a Year of Dialogue", Louisville, Kentucky, USA, April 1-3, 2007, pp. 2.12
  • [18] Page, T., Baguley, P. and D. Schaefer (2004): “Ensuring Electromagnetic Compliance in Printed Circuit Boards Through Design for Assembly Guidelines”, In: Maropoulos, P.G., Schaefer, D. (Eds.), ECAD/ECAE2004 – Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Electrical/Electro­mechanical Computer-Aided Design & Engineering, Durham, UK, 15/16 November 2004, ISBN 0-9535558-3-6, pp.106-110
  • [17] Page, T., Baguley, P. and D. Schaefer (2004): “Maintaining Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Through Design for Fabrication and Assembly of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)”, In: Maropoulos, P.G., Schaefer, D. (Eds.), ECAD/ECAE2004 – Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Electrical/Electro­mechanical Computer-Aided Design & Engineering. Durham, UK, 15/16 November 2004, ISBN 0-9535558-3-6, pp.101-105
  • [16] Schaefer, D. (2004): “A New Method for Variant Design Technology in ECAD”, In: Maropoulos, P.G.; Schaefer, D. (Eds.): ECAD/ECAE2004 – Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Electrical/Electro­mechanical Computer-Aided Design & Engineering. Durham, UK, 15/16 November 2004, ISBN 0-9535558-3-6, pp.46-49
  • [15] Baguley, P. and D. Schaefer (2004): “Costing Issues Regarding Product Variant Design”, In: Maropoulos, P.G., Schaefer, D. (Eds.), ECAD/ECAE2004 – Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Electrical/Electro­mechanical Computer-Aided Design & Engineering. Durham, UK, 15/16 November 2004, ISBN 0-9535558-3-6, pp.41-45
  • [14] Schaefer, D. (2003): “Technologieansatz fuer ein ECAD-Variantenmodul” [“A new technology approach for an ECAD variant module”], In: Schaefer, D.; Roller, D. (Eds.), “ELEKTROTECHNIK CAD: Band 2 – Variantentechnologie im ECAD/CAE-Bereich. Aachen: Shaker-Verlag, 2003. Berichte aus der Konstruktions­technik. – Tagungsband zum Workshop ueber Elektrotechnik CAD vom 09./10. Oktober 2003 in Stuttgart, Germany – ISBN 3-8322-2056-9, pp 31-62
  • [13] Schaefer, D. (2003): “Grundlagen der ECAD-Variantentechnologie“. [“Fundamentals of  Variant Design Technology in ECAD2], In: Schaefer, D., Roller, D. (Eds.), ELEKTROTECHNIK CAD: Band 2 – Variantentechnologie im ECAD/CAE-Bereich. Aachen: Shaker-Verlag, 2003. Berichte aus der Konstruk­tionstechnik. – Tagungsband zum Workshop ueber Elektrotechnik CAD vom 09./10. Oktober 2003 in Stuttgart, Germany – ISBN 3-8322-2056-9, pp 1-30
  • [12] Schaefer, D., Roller, D. and D. Boeck (2002): “CAE Systeme der dritten Generation – Wahrheit oder Vision” [“3rd generation CAE systems – state of the art report”], In: Roller, D., Schaefer, D. (Eds.), ELEKTROTECHNIK CAD: CAE Systeme der dritten Generation. Aachen: Shaker-Verlag, 2002. – Berichte aus der Konstruktionstechnik. – Tagungsband zum Workshop ueber Elektrotechnik CAD vom 18. Juli 2002 in Stuttgart, Germany - ISBN 3-8322-0335-4, pp. 1-21
  • [11] Schaefer, D. and D. Roller (2001): “E-Learning, Mind Mapping, High Speed Reading - Lernen im dritten Jahrtausend”, [“E-learning, mind mapping, high speed reading – learning in the third millennium”] In: Scheibl, H.-J. (Ed.): Software-Entwicklung für Internet und Intranet. Ostfildern: Technische Akademie Esslingen, 2001. – Ostfildern, Germany 17.-19. September 2001. - ISBN 3-924813-46-9, pp. 139-150
  • [10] Mack, J., Schaefer, D. and D. Roller (2001): “Werkzeuge fuer die rechnergestuetzte Entwicklung von Schaltanlagen bzw. Schaltschraenken” [“Computer-aided design tools for switch cabinets and other electrical systems”], In: Schaefer, D., Roller, D. (Eds), ELEKTROTECHNIK CAD: Neue Technologien, Anwendungen, Systementwicklung, Zukünftige Trends. Aachen: Shaker-Verlag, 2001. - Berichte aus der Konstruktionstechnik. – Tagungsband zum Workshop ueber Elektrotechnik CAD vom 20. Juli 2001 in Stuttgart, Germany. - ISBN 3-8265-9042-2, pp. 151-163
  • [9] Holeczek, A., Schaefer, D. and D. Roller (2001): “Die Prozesskette des Schaltschrankbaus” [“Switch cabinet design as an engineering process”], In: Schaefer, D., Roller, D. (Eds), ELEKTROTECHNIK CAD: Neue Technologien, Anwendungen, Systementwicklung, Zukünftige Trends. Aachen: Shaker-Verlag, 2001. - Berichte aus der Konstruktionstechnik. – Tagungsband zum Workshop ueber Elektrotechnik CAD vom 20. Juli 2001 in Stuttgart, Germany - ISBN 3-8265-9042-2, pp. 37-51
  • [8] Roller, D. and D. Schaefer (2000): “Anforderungen an Software fuer den internationalen globalen Engineering Prozess” [“Requirements for software systems to support distributed concurrent engineering”] In: Tagungsband IT & Automation 2000. Berlin: VDI-Verlag, 2000. – Nürnberg, Germany 28.-30. November 2000. - ISBN 3-8007-2573-8, pp. 221-230
  • [7] Schaefer, D. and D. Roller (2000): “Advanced CAD/CAM Technologies Assessed from a Users Point of View. - Results of a Survey”, In: Proceedings of the 33rd International Symposium on Automotive Technology and Automation : ISATA’2000 : Simultaneous Engineering and Rapid Product Development. Epsom, UK: ISATA Duesseldorf Trade Fair, 2000. - Dublin, Ireland, September 25-27, 2000. - ISBN 1-902856-13-9, pp. 45-59
  • [6] Roller, D., Eck, O., Rieg, B. and D. Schaefer (2000): “Knowledge-Based Representation of Dimension Units in CAD Data Models”. In: Cugini, U., Wozny, M. (Eds), Proceedings of The Fourth IFIP Working Group 5.2 Workshop on Knowledge Intensive CAD: KIC-4. Centros S. Elisabetta, Universita Degli Studi Di Parma. 2000. - Parma, Italy, May 22-24, 2000. pp. 103-112
  • [5] Roller, D. and D. Schaefer (1999): "Windowsgestuetzte Software-Entwicklung im Ingenieurbereich: Stand der Technik - Erfahrungen – Trends“ [“Windows-based software development for engineering domains – state of the art, experiences, trends”], In: Scheibl, H.-J. (Ed), Software-Entwicklung: Methoden, Werkzeuge, Erfahrungen ‘99. Ostfildern, Germany TAE, 20.-22. September 1999. - ISBN 3-924813-42-6, pp. 41-62
  • [4] Schaefer, D., Eck, O. and D. Roller (1999): “A Shared Knowledge Base for Interdisciplinary Parametric Product Data Models in CAD”, In: Lindemann, U., Birkhofer, H., Meerkamm, H., Vajna, S. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Engineering Design: ICED ’99, Volume 3. Garching: Technische Universität Muenchen, 1999. - Munich, Germany, August 24-26, 1999. - ISBN 3-922979-53-X, pp. 1593-1598
  • [3] Dettlaff, B., Roller, D. and D. Schaefer (1999): “A System Architecture for Modules Supporting Variational Design in Electrical Engineering”. In: Roller, D. (Ed.), Proceedings of the 32nd International Symposium on Automotive Technology and Automation: ISATA’99: Automotive Mechatronics Design & Engineering. Croydon, UK: ISATA Duesseldorf Trade Fair, 1999. - Vienna, Austria, June 14-18. 1999. - ISBN 1-902856-00-7, pp. 53-61
  • [2] Schaefer, D., Eck, O. and D. Roller (1999): “Requirement Analysis for E-CAD Variant Modules”, In: Roller, D. (Ed.), Proceedings of the 32nd International Symposium on Automotive Technology and Automation: ISATA´99 : Automotive Mechatronics Design & Engineering. Croydon, UK: ISATA Duesseldorf Trade Fair, 1999. - Vienna, Austria, June 14-18, 1999. - ISBN 1-902856-00-7, pp. 43-51
  • [1] Schaefer, D., Roller, D. and K. Wolf (1999): “Advanced CAQ: Comparing Manufactured Products With Underlying CAD Models”, In: Maropoulos, P.G. ; McGeough, J.A. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 15th Conference on Computer-Aided Production Engineering : CAPE´99. Durham, UK: University of Durham, School of Engineering, 1999. - Durham, UK, April 19-21, 1999. - ISBN 0-9535558-0-1, pp. 273-280