CRISTINA AHUATZIN
Phoenix,AZ
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Paint Materials Engineer
Lucid Motors USA Inc.
01.2022 - Current
- Creation of engineering specifications for paint materials, adhesives & sealers manufacturing processes, related to use and validation
- Evaluation of adhesives, sealers, and topcoat technologies by using accelerated testing standards to analyze properties, verify durability and stablish engineering requirements
- Analysis of materials and engineering processes for quality to ensure that the formulations meet all the governmental requirements
- Develop Design of Experiments (DOEs) to validate and approve new suppliers for adhesives, sealers, and topcoats
- Collaboration on early stages of new color development for new models
- New color introduction to the plant, workability, surface performance trend and commissioning material for production
- Participation and evaluation of color harmony for current production colors (Lucid model Air and Pure) and new introductions (Lucid SUV Gravity)
- Creation, standardization, and distribution of Topcoat Test procedures for technology approval and internal testing
- Topcoat supplier development as a backup of current paint supplier
- Color Harmony process workflow enhancement: redefinition of responsibilities, activities, and evaluation loops, as well as rating change and definition
- Batch to batch tracking control, to monitor and compare color in every paint delivery
- Creation of Sealer Test procedures for technology approval and internal validation
- Sealer supplier development for new material introduction to the manufacturing plant
- Validation, approval and introduction of adhesive tapes to substitute sealer application
- Validation, approval and introduction of Thumb grade sealers to use as metal gap aid, when needed
- Participation in sealer and adhesive problem solving, by testing new materials and performing trials in the line
Sr. Specialist CoC Surface Materials & Adhesives
BMW Group SLP SA de CV
02.2017 - 12.2022
- Coordinator of the Center of Competence 'Surface materials and Adhesives' at the analysis center
- (Two engineers under my supervision)
- Activity planning for the entire analysis center, that includes an overview of supplier localization and main changes for series production
- Contact and coordination with external laboratories, testing institutes and universities to perform analysis as an extension of BMW analysis center
- Performance of analysis in cooperation with BMW internal and external partners
- Creation of reports of routine, localization, release, follow-up, and root cause analysis
- Paint shop materials supplier auditor, according to IATF 16949- (Pretreatment/E-coat/PVC/Topcoats/Cavity Wax)
- Responsible of new paint colors launch, including test program, line trials and performance validation
- Planning and coordination of color harmony events with internal process partner and hang-on parts supplier
- Involvement and test planning for future models assigned to plant BMW San Luis Potosi
- Paint compatibility for material introduction at paint shop and assembly
- Development, localization, commissioning and release of adhesives and sealers used in BIW and paint shop processes, such as structural, anti-flutter & hemming adhesives, stiffness pads, damping pads, sprayable damping material, PVC (seam sealer, underbody sealer, pourable material)
- Working together with international suppliers and BMW global material planning
- Carbon Fiber parts bonding process test leader, including cold curing two component adhesive, localization, testing and release of the material, as well as the training of the production team to perform regular tests of the 2C adhesive
- Windshield cold curing one-component adhesive performance tests during pre-series and series of each model
- Destructive car body audits to verify the cold curing 2C adhesive applied to the Carbon Fiber parts in combination with the metal substrate and its correct application, position, and specification according to the applicable standards, during pre-series and series
- Destructive car body audits to verify the structural, anti-flutter & hemming adhesives correct functionality, position, and specification of each one according to the applicable standards, during pre-series and series, to ensure corrosion protection
- Destructive hang-on parts audits to verify the PVC (seam sealer & Underbody sealer) application, water tightness, blister formation and flange overlapping, during pre-series and series, to ensure corrosion protection
- Destructive car body audits to verify cavity wax correct application, position, and specification according to the applicable standards, during pre-series and series, to ensure corrosion protection
- Destructive car body audits to verify the e-coat correct adherence to surface and cavities as well as thickness, according to the applicable standards, during pre-series and series, to ensure corrosion protection
- Successful 10-month training completion of topics related to surface materials and adhesives inside different BMW plants In Germany (Munich, Dingolfing and Regensburg) and USA (Spartanburg, SC)
- 2017-2018
- Planning, procurement, purchasing and installation of test equipment to perform analysis (Spray booth, drying ovens, rheometer, climate, humidity & salt spray chambers, light booths, color measurement equipment, Steam Jet tester, multi-stone chip tester, single impact tester, e-coat rectifier) that included laboratory furniture, electrical design (capacity), compressed air, DI water and tab water outlets needed for the building
- (2018)
- Ramp-up/ launch of the first model produced at BMW plant San Luis Potosi (G20/3 series)
- (2018-2019)
- Lead auditor for Paint shop local material supplier for plant BMW San Luis Potosi (PPG, Henkel, BASF, Kluthe)
- (2019)
- Traveling to Sao Paulo, Brazil to have an on-site coordination, training for co-auditors and taking the role of lead auditor for paint shop process material suppliers of BMW plant Brazil (Chemetall, BASF, PPG, EFTEC)
- (2019)
- Ramp-up and launch of second model (G42/2 Series).(2020-2021)
- Ramp/up of third model (G87/M2)
- (2021-2022)
- Release and commissioning of PVC seam sealer and under body sealer re-formulation due to non-adhesion problem in combination with black e-coated parts
- Localization, release, and commissioning of the Carbon Fiber bonding process at San Luis Potosí plant (Only plant approved for this type of process outside of Germany)
Jr. Chemist
PPG Industries de México
09.2014 - 12.2016
- New color development for 2018 Ford color pallet
- Raw material replacement for formula cost reduction projects
- Re formulation to improve materials performance
- Team member on a project of management and implementation of a new tank washing system for maximum equipment utilization, manufacturing flexibility and monthly batch production increase
- 'SWAT' team member for problem solving, focused to help on critical situations for the plant that includes multidisciplinary members and involves different areas from all the company levels
- Support during MAGNA International Inc
- (Exteriors) ramp-up of new plant in Queretaro
- (Defect analysis, trend data analysis, reporting of activities)
Engineer in training
PPG Industries de México
09.2014 - 01.2016
- Training in different critical areas for the Company (OEM technical lab, Industrial coatings lab, Quality assurance, Process Engineering, Customer Service) developing diverse activities within each
- Formulation practice
- Coatings defect analysis and its possible solutions
- 'Black Chasis' Formulation with recycled materials, it recovery generates a huge impact to the Company
- Location and adaption of raw material (formula) from Germany
- Re formulation of color 'Ibisweiss' due to technical failures in PPG Germany
- Spray rooms personnel training on specific test methods for Audi
Timeline
Sr. Paint Materials Engineer
Lucid Motors USA Inc.
01.2022 - Current
Sr. Specialist CoC Surface Materials & Adhesives
BMW Group SLP SA de CV
02.2017 - 12.2022
Jr. Chemist
PPG Industries de México
09.2014 - 12.2016
Engineer in training
PPG Industries de México
09.2014 - 01.2016
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