The original text is Celebrating JMP Superusers: Mark Chahl, ExxonMobil Chemical, written by Amy Bullock .
Name: Mark Chahl
Affiliation: Engineer, ExxonMobil Chemical
Using JMP: Since 1994
Fun fact: I am fluent in English, French, Dutch and Punjabi and am currently studying Spanish.
What is your favorite feature in JMP?
JMP's features are like children. They are all lovely. But lately, I've been impressed with the Predictor Screening feature. It's really great for troubleshooting manufacturing issues.
What was your first job?
I worked part-time as a cook at McDonald's. Uniform pants had no front pockets. So I can't stand still with my hands in my pockets in the first place. “Don’t you have anything to do? “Then you have to clean it,” was the lesson I learned at that time.
What made you interested in chemical engineering?
My original major was chemistry, but I realized that engineering was a better fit. It was a great choice. I liked solving problems directly. Employment prospects were also better. (Translator's Note: He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Western University in Canada and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Waterloo)
What was the first statistical quality/process management task you did?
In the summer of 1987 and 1988, I did what was probably the best thing for a young Canadian. It was a quality control job at Labatt's Brewery in my hometown of London, Ontario. Beer was the thing. Even getting money.
It was also during this time that I first encountered things like specifications, testing, SPC and SQC. We conducted countless tests on raw materials coming into the factory, beer before bottling/canning, pasteurization, packaging quality, etc. One of the tests we had to do every day was the bottle cap torque test.
First, a case containing 24 beers with twist caps is taken off the line and placed in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Then open all the bottles with a torque wrench fitted with a socket fitted to the shape of the bottle cap and record the peak torque on a chart. The sad part of this story is that all the beer ends up in the sink. I poured it all at once while it was still in the case, but it took quite a bit of trickery to keep the bottle from falling.
What was your proudest moment at work?
When we obtained a patent for process-related improvements and when we convinced ExxonMobil to adopt JMP . US Patent No. 5990256 relates to a process for improving melt strength for film production. I convinced several PhDs that my idea would work based on mathematical calculations. We worked together like that and eventually succeeded.
What is the best thing about your current job?
I like that it is technically difficult and challenging work. I also find it rewarding to be able to teach others what I know and give them advice.
How are you using JMP?
It is used to solve problems and improve the polymer manufacturing process. What we mainly analyze is time series sensor data and product quality data.
What was your first project using JMP?
It was so long ago that I don't remember exactly, but I do know that I used JMP to work on US Patent No. 5990256. (Translator's Note: The patent was filed in May 1997) For the past 25 years, I have performed almost all of my DOE and analysis work exclusively using JMP.
Is there anything you would like to say to the JMP development team or John Saul?
The reason we adopted and continue to use JMP is because of its excellent performance and excellent customer care. Please keep working hard.
What does the data science/analytics field look like in the next few decades?
I think we're going to see more people working in data science and analytics. I hope it will be offered as a required course for undergraduate students majoring in engineering.
This post originally written in Korean and has been translated for your convenience. When you reply, it will also be translated back to Korean.