Ranga Komanduri Named Recipient of the M. Eugene Merchant Manufacturing Medal of ASME/SME

NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2011 – Ranga Komanduri, D.Eng., (1942-2011), of Stillwater, Okla., who served as regents professor and A.H. Nelson Jr. chair in engineering at Oklahoma State University (OSU), up until his passing on September 6, was honored by ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) and the SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers).  He was recognized for his contributions in research and excellence in graduate student education and mentoring that have had a significant long-term influence on the efficacy of manufacturing processes. His wife, Mrs. Sri Komanduri, received the M. Eugene Merchant Manufacturing Medal of ASME/SME on behalf of her late husband. 

The medal, established in 1986, honors an exceptional individual who has had significant influence and responsibility for improving the productivity and efficiency of the manufacturing operation. The award was presented during ASME’s 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, held in Denver, Nov. 11 through 17.

Dr. Komanduri began his career in 1972 as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh.  In 1977, he joined General Electric Corporate Research and Development (Schenectady, N.Y.) as a member of their scientific staff and Rensselaer Polytechnics Institute (Troy, N.Y.) as an adjunct professor. After spending three years (1986-89) at the National Science Foundation (NSF), Komanduri joined OSU as a professor and MOST (more Oklahoma science and technology initiative) chair in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

His research was focused on advanced manufacturing processes and materials.  At OSU, he developed state-of-the-art research facilities in this area and trained several students.  His research activities include machining, grinding and finishing of advanced ceramics for high-speed, high-precision ball and roller bearings; hard, wear-resistant coatings on cutting tools, including low-pressure diamond coatings and multiple nanocoatings; molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations of nanometric cutting and tribology; thermal aspects of various manufacturing processes; and electrocardiogram signal analysis for identification of cardiac disorders.

Komanduri authored some 230 technical papers and edited 22 conference proceedings, and he held 22 patents. 

An ASME Fellow, Komanduri served as vice president of the Manufacturing Group and Council on Engineering member (1989-93).  He also served as chair of the Production Engineering Division’s (PED) Executive Committee; and a member of the Society’s Inter-Council Committee on the Winter Annual Meeting and the Technology Opportunities and Planning Committee.  He was the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including the Society’s Blackall Machine Tool and Gage Award (1981), Charles Russ Richards Memorial Award (1990) and William T. Ennor Manufacturing Technology Award (2002). He was also a distinguished honorary professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (2004).

Komanduri earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in heat power engineering at Osmania University (Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India) in 1964 and 1966, respectively.  He earned his Ph.D. and D.Eng. at Monash University (Melbourne, Australia) in 1972 and 1992, respectively.

About ASME ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world.