Expertise: Forging, Casting and Extrusion Fabrication Technologies; Thermomechanical Processing; Manufacturing Process Improvement.

Bill Kuhlman is a consultant specializing in forging,extrusion, and casting of fabricated products from Aluminum and Non-Aluminum (Ti, Ni/Co and Fe) alloys for aerospace, transportation, automotive and other applications. He focuses on Product Development and Improvement through capture of thermomechanical processing and on Problem Identification and Resolution for cost and waste reduction and productivity.

Bill enjoyed a thirty year career with Alcoa Forged Products as Director of Technology for Aerospace and Commercial Products. He was responsible for a broad range of forging process and product enhancements, cost and throughput enhancements and new market penetration for Aluminum forgings, and he led the development of Titanium and Superalloy forged products for critical applications including aerospace, automotive, power generation. He is widely recognized for his expertise in thermomechanical processing and forging technology, including tool and die materials; die manufacturing; and leadership of the application of deformation and process modeling in a broad range of forging materials and products. His work on improving forging materials and products, and developing forging and thermal mechanical processes led to simpler manufacturing paths, lower costs, shorter lead times and improved shop productivity.

Bill has authored chapters in ASM Handbooks on both Aluminum and Titanium alloy forgings. He has also presented short courses and lectures on a number of topics related to Aluminum, Titanium and Superalloy process metallurgy and forging technology, products and processes. He has served on several ASM technical committees and advisory boards for a number of Universities and Engineering Research Centers including Cleveland State University, The Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve University.

Bill has BS in Metallurgy and Masters of Metallurgical Engineering degrees from Cornell University and a Masters of Business Administration from Case Western Reserve University. He is a Fellow of the ASM and received the Alcoa Chairman's Award. He is inventor or co-inventor on eight patents and has published over 120 technical papers.