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Center for Industrial Research and Service
VOLUME 56 | Number 2
Collaborating to Predict Machine Failure
A Davenport manufacturer of electrical safety devices is prototyping a new product intended to help equipment
operators predict when their machines will fail.
The new system, which is expected to rotary machines and detect vibration an assistant professor in Iowa State’s
be released within the next year, will use changes in bearings. Grace is one of Department of Mechanical Engineering.
special sensors created by Davenport- many companies seeking to translate Hu also oversees the System Reliability
based Grace Technologies integrated with that technology to a broader market. and Safety Laboratory, which supports
predictive algorithms using an Internet of several undergraduate and graduate
“In the past, it used to be that a huge
Things (IoT) architecture. The technology students conducting industry and
generator at a utility company or a
has grown out of a collaborative, CIRAS- academic research.
turbine at a nuclear power plant would
supported research effort between Grace
use this, and maybe the system would An initial project in 2019 was funded
and Iowa State University.
cost $250,000,” he said. “The difference jointly by Grace Technologies and the
Grace Technologies has estimated that is that we have systems that would be CIRAS Technology Assistance Program
its new system could be worth up to $10 able to be placed on motors of all sizes (TAP). This was followed by two
million to the company over a five-year and would cost a few hundred dollars.” research projects funded by the Iowa
period as equipment operators rush to Board of Regents’ Regents Innovation
The Grace-Iowa State relationship began
save money on downtime, expensive Fund and a two-year grant from the
in 2018 when CIRAS project manager
repairs, and maintenance-related injuries. National Science Foundation (NSF). In
Carey Novak followed up on an unrelated
December, the NSF also recommended
Drew Allen, Grace Technologies vice capstone project involving Iowa State
$256,000 for the research as part of
president for strategic innovation, engineering students. Novak initiated
the government’s Small Business
said large organizations in high-value deeper discussions about mutual
Technology Transfer program.
industries have long had predictive interests in research and development,
maintenance capabilities because they especially predictive maintenance and Hu said Grace-related research
use expensive equipment to monitor IoT, and connected Grace with Chao Hu, involves using machine learning to
Continued on page 2
1
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Predicting Machine Failure continued from page 1
1 Collaborating to Predict create algorithms that can interpret are looking for a way to reliably predict
Machine Failure bearing vibration data and predict that a machine is going to fail within a
when machines are close to failure. certain window—a warning that arrives
3 CIRAS Helps Latham Hi-Tech Seeds Companies will be able to monitor the early enough to schedule maintenance
Have Smooth Spring health of bearings and rotors in different but not so early that valuable machine life
4 CIRAS Guides Grinding types of machines and (because of must be sacrificed.
Improvement at Weiler the IoT framework) do so with many
“If you know that a piece of equipment
machines simultaneously.
5 Online Orders Are an Elixir Following is going to fail in the next minute, that’s
COVID-19 Collapse “This should help equipment manufactur- useless,” Novak said. “If you know that a
ers plan their equipment maintenance piece of equipment is going to fail within
6 CIRAS Supplier Scouting Helps Bring and avoid unplanned downtime,” Hu said. the next 12 months but you don’t know
Business to Iowa “That could be of huge value to them. If a when, then that’s useless as well.”
7 CIRAS Serves Iowa: By the Numbers bearing breaks on a piece of equipment
Allen praised his company’s partnership
and there’s no early warning, it’s not only
11 COVID-19 Assessment Helps Larson with CIRAS and Iowa State as a valuable
the bearing that fails. The shaft and other
Ensure Best Practices during Pandemic way of helping small companies explore
components around it can get destroyed,
the impact of a new idea. Without Iowa
11 Upcoming Events too. It’s a cascading effect.”
State’s research lab, test facilities, and
12 Spring Career Fairs As part of the process, researchers have faculty and student expertise, Grace
been engaging Iowa companies that Technologies would have been forced
12 ILC Virtual Annual Conference Builds support the new Kent Corporation Feed to spend tens of thousands of dollars to
Lean Leaders Mill and Grain Science Complex at Iowa develop that capacity—with no real idea
13 GovTalk–B2G Sales State. In particular, the team is collecting of what the payoff might be.
feedback on what tools are needed to
13 For the Record “Getting all the people assembled—
monitor machine health of pelletizers
the knowledge, the ability to do the
14 Mix of Ancient, Advanced Technologies and milling and rolling equipment.
research, the technical understanding of
Salvage Older Elevator “We don’t want this work to end up bearings—that was definitely beyond our
15 Persistent Bidding Helps Bowe being just an academic exercise,” said capability by ourselves,” Allen said.
Machine Break into Government Hu, whose team already has submitted
Novak praised the partnership’s value
Contracting journal and conference articles for
across the board, including Grace’s
publication. “We want this to be
15 Contact Information support for Iowa State internships.
practical and useful.”
16 Growing Your Business “This is what every university wants,”
The Grace-Iowa State team also is
he said. “When they talk about
assessing opportunities to file an
On the Cover: Venkat Nemani, left, and assistant university innovation and an idea getting
invention disclosure and possible patent
professor Chao Hu pose next to a test stand commercialized, this is the kind of team
application sometime during the year. If
where initial vibration research was conducted. you want. You want a company working
successful, Grace Technologies would
closely with the faculty while you’re
CIRAS Mission: Every day we will enhance the commercialize the technology through
supporting grad students and others. It’s a
performance of industry through applied research, a licensing agreement with Iowa State’s
education, and technical assistance. multifaceted system.”
Office of Intellectual Property and
Technology Transfer. For more information, contact
CIRAS is supported in part by the DoC/NIST Manufacturing
Extension Partnership, the DoD/DLA Procurement Technical Carey Novak at cenovak@iastate.edu
Assistance Program, the DoC/EDA University Center Novak described predictive maintenance
or 515-408-4257.
Program, and the State of Iowa Economic Growth Committee as the “Holy Grail” for equipment
appropriation for the CIRAS Technology Assistance Program.
manufacturers. Companies everywhere
CIRAS News is published quarterly by the Center for Industrial Research and
Service and edited by the CIRAS publications team. Design and production
AT A GLANCE
is by Hobbs Designs, LLC. Please send questions, comments, or address A Grace
changes to ciras.news@iastate.edu.—January 2021 HD20141 Technologies Grace Technologies
Articles may be reprinted with the following credit line: “Reprinted from sensor.
CIRAS News, Vol. 56, No. 2, a publication of Iowa State University Center FOUNDED: 1993
for Industrial Research and Service.” Please send a copy of the reprint to
CIRAS News, 1805 Collaboration Place, Suite 2300, Ames, Iowa 50010-9166. OVERVIEW: Manufacturer of
Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All electrical interface connectors,
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard safety devices, and sensors.
to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic
information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected Veteran EMPLOYEES: 50
status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to
the Office of Equal Opportunity, 3410 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, IMPACT: Up to $10 million
515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
over five years.
2 FOR MORE: www.graceport.com
AT A GLANCE
Latham Hi-Tech Seeds
FOUNDED: 2009
OVERVIEW: Family-owned seed
producer.
EMPLOYEES: 48
IMPACT: More than $7 million in
new sales, retained sales, and cost
reductions over two years.
FOR MORE: www.lathamseeds.com
Corn sits waiting for shipping at Latham Hi-Tech Seeds.
CIRAS Helps Latham Hi-Tech Seeds Have Smooth Spring
An Alexander, Iowa, seed company estimates it will gain more than $3 million in new business over the next year, partly
because CIRAS helped the company become more efficient in the face of rapid growth.
Chris Latham, chief the (earlier) spring in change the way it handles conditioning
financial officer for “Sometimes it’s just good 2019 that we had in 2020, and packaging of beans so that the
Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, to have that third party we would have been company could begin conditioning even
said his company bring everybody together in trouble.” before orders were filled.
struggled to keep up with and agree on where the The company reached “What they did for this season was a
its orders for soybeans problems are. It was out to CIRAS in summer good first step,” Schneider said. “But if
and seed corn in 2019 nice just to be able to 2019 seeking help with the company continues to grow, they’ll
as it expanded into new
bring everybody in and finding more short-term need to continue to invest.”
markets in South Dakota.
work through it all.” capacity. That led CIRAS
The increased business, Chris Latham said the changes helped the
— Chris Latham project managers Marc
along with a growing 2020 planting season run smoothly, and
Schneider, Andrew
trend of farmers seeking he praised CIRAS for playing a valuable
Friend, and Steve Wilson
to accept their seed as close to the role as an objective outside expert.
to review Latham’s operations, diagnose
beginning of planting season as possible, “Sometimes it’s just good to have that
the bottlenecks, and work with staff to
seemed to be creating bottlenecks. third party bring everybody together and
correct them.
“In 2019, the late spring saved us” from agree on where the problems are,” he
Among other things, Schneider’s team
being late with orders, said operations said. “It was nice just to be able to bring
ultimately recommended that Latham
manager Dan Erbes. “If we’d have had everybody in and work through it all.”
address some workforce issues and
For more information, contact Marc Schneider at maschn@iastate.edu or 563-221-1596.
3
Above, magnetic particles are drawn to the crack sites on a steel drill. Cracks appear as
fine yellowish-green lines under florescent light. Below, drill shafts await testing.
AT A GLANCE
CIRAS Guides Grinding Improvement at Weiler Weiler Inc.
A Knoxville-based heavy equipment manufacturer estimates that the company
FOUNDED: 2000
retained more than $10 million in sales after CIRAS helped it solve a problem
EMPLOYEES: 450
with cracking shafts on a rock drill used in highway construction.
OVERVIEW: Manufacturer of heavy-
Mark Prachar, a project engineer with “To make rock drills, you need really duty equipment for the asphalt paving
Weiler, said the company took control of hard materials,” Utrata said. “When you market.
a new process for making components grind that material into final shape, it’s IMPACT: An estimated $10.5 million in
for its rock drills in 2018—only to find really tricky to grind it properly. If you retained sales and reduced costs.
cracks in the shafts produced. Company don’t do it exactly right, it will overheat, LEARN MORE:
engineers, many of them Iowa State then contract too much—and that leads www.weilerproducts.com
University graduates, turned to CIRAS for to cracking.”
help diagnosing the problem.
Prachar said CIRAS expertise helped
“We didn’t have the testing equipment the company zero in on correct grinding
in-house to know what was happening procedures. Weiler experimented with
on the surface or just below the surface new techniques throughout the end of
of the part, because we had never done 2018, regularly taking parts to Utrata for
it before,” Prachar said. “We were evaluation.
changing things, and it wasn’t improving
“CIRAS helped us hone in on the specific
the result, and we needed to know why.”
type of failure that we had,” Prachar
Dave Utrata, a CIRAS project manager said. “It helped us develop our grinding
who works in Iowa State’s Center for process and in-house NDE inspection “Through the CIRAS analysis, we found
Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE), used techniques.” there is an art to the grinding process,”
a combination of ultraviolet light and tiny Prachar said. “The resources that CIRAS
Weiler estimates that CIRAS helped the provided helped us find a timely solution
magnetic particles to help the company
company avoid an estimated $10 million and expertise we can call on again in
pinpoint sources of cracking and
in lost sales. the future.”
understand what was going wrong.
For more information, contact Dave Utrata at heydave@iastate.edu or 515-294-6095.
4
Online Orders Are
an Elixir Following
COVID-19 Collapse
A Holstein, Iowa, meat producer
now finds itself on the cusp of
full-blown e-commerce thanks to a
computerized online order system
that the company was driven to adopt
in response to COVID-19.
Tiefenthaler Quality Meats, a family-
owned company known for its skinless
brats and other meat products, originally sale computer system, enabling
approached CIRAS in March seeking online orders to flow directly into
help managing the online portion of the company’s existing software.
a yearly anniversary sale. However, While business remains down from
those conversations soon shifted prepandemic levels, online orders
when pandemic safety concerns led now make up roughly one-half of all
Tiefenthaler’s to close its retail store to retail sales.
customers. Tiefenthaler’s also cancelled Other companies may benefit from
the anniversary sale because of the a similar approach, Gormley said.
pandemic and its impact on business. Businesses that don’t feel like they
Co-owner Shelly Tiefenthaler said have the logistical ability to track and
the company was confused about fill online orders right now can still
how to continue serving customers mimic larger competitors by offering
curbside-only, so she contacted CIRAS the same curbside service.
project manager Paul Gormley for help. “In the eyes of the customers,
Gormley and other CIRAS-affiliated Tiefenthaler’s looks like a very grown-
experts helped Tiefenthaler’s build a up business if it’s doing the same thing
new online ordering system. On June as major supermarkets,” Gormley said.
11, the company quietly turned on its “And ‘normal’ e-commerce can come
new system and took roughly 350 orders directly out of what it takes to do that.”
during the first five days.
Tiefenthaler said the company has An order being assembled at
“It really has changed a lot of things,” not yet embraced full online sales Tiefenthaler Quality Meats.
Tiefenthaler said. “Our staff now stays because shipping companies can’t
busy filling online orders, but it’s much yet guarantee timely delivery in a
more efficient and organized now. We pandemic-altered economy. But
AT A GLANCE
will be able to keep offering curbside the company believes it’s on a good Tiefenthaler Quality Meats
service for those who don’t want to path, and it is thankful for CIRAS help
come in the store for their own personal FOUNDED: 1991
salvaging its sales.
reasons. We opened the store back up OVERVIEW: Family-owned meat locker producing,
to walk-in customers in late July, but the “CIRAS really helped us figure out among other things, beef, bacon, jerky, and skinless
the correct path, the correct way to brats.
curbside system is still going strong.”
do it,” Tiefenthaler said. “Had I not EMPLOYEES: 20
The new digital storefront works worked with them, I’m not sure where IMPACT: More than $950,000 from a variety of CIRAS
with Tiefenthaler’s existing point-of- I would have started.” projects over the last three years.
For more information, contact Paul Gormley at gormley@iastate.edu or FOR MORE: www.tqmeats.com
319-721-5357.
5
AT A GLANCE
CIRAS Supplier Scouting Helps Bring World Class Industries
Business to Iowa FOUNDED: 1953
OVERVIEW: Supply chain management
A Hiawatha-based assembly and supply chain integration company expects and assembly company.
to see at least $5 million a year in new business after CIRAS facilitated a EMPLOYEES: 200
partnership with an air purification company. IMPACT: Four new jobs and at least
$5 million yearly in new sales.
World Class Industries started work in CIRAS project manager Adam
FOR MORE: www.worldclassind.com
October under a contract that quickly Boesenberg used databases and input
will see the company producing 24,000 from other CIRAS experts
room-sized air purifiers annually for to identify companies “We foresee the
Timilon Acquisitions. with the manufacturing business growing nicely
out of it than we initially
capabilities, capacity, and throughout Iowa.” were looking for.”
Timilon, based in Florida, makes
quality necessary to meet — George Negron
EnviroKlenz Air Systems. The devices Negron said several of the
the company’s needs.
use special filters and a fan inside a other finalist companies
Boesenberg and Putnam ultimately
powder-coated cabinet to “remove at could find future work with Timilon as
recommended six firms to Timilon,
least 99.97 percent of the fine particulate the company expands. “We foresee
including World Class Industries (WCI).
matter from the air in your home or the business growing nicely throughout
The company, which had first learned
business.” Iowa,” he said.
about Timilon from CIRAS strategy adviser
After growing exponentially for several Joy Donald, was chosen at summer’s end. Mike O’Donnell, program director for
years, Timilon needed additional the CIRAS Manufacturing Extension
Ryan Murphy, director of business
capacity. Partnership (MEP), said supplier
development for World Class Industries,
Tim Putnam, director of the Pappajohn said Timilon liked “our ability to scouting requests usually come through
Entrepreneurial Center at North Iowa scale with their business, as well a nationwide MEP system created to
Area Community College, said Iowa as our capability to provide ideas help government contractors who can’t
entrepreneur and Timilon investor throughout the process to improve the find a qualified U.S. company making
John Pappajohn called him in May manufacturability of their product.” what they need.
searching for Iowa companies that “Internet searching and online
George Negron, Timilon vice
possibly could assemble EnviroKlenz directories are great, but sometimes
president, agreed.
purifiers. Putnam’s organization, which you really need people who understand
serves as a CIRAS partner in northern “Everyone CIRAS identified was a great manufacturing,” O’Donnell said. “That’s
Iowa, then asked for help searching the candidate,” Negron said. “You not only where CIRAS and our MEP National
entire state. saved us time and effort, but we got more Network make a real difference.”
For more information about supplier scouting, email the CIRAS Helpline at ciras.info@iastate.edu.
Assembling air cleaners at World Class Industries.
6
CIRAS SERVES IOWA:
IOWA BY THE NUMBERS
IMPACT: More than $2.8 Billion
Economic Impact, 2015–2019
LYON OSCEOLA DICKINSON EMMET KOSSUTH WINNEBAGO WORTH MITCHELL HOWARD WINNESHIEK
$4.8M – $217,000 $491,000 $2.5M $47.3M $6.9M $1.1M
$211,000 $6.7M
SIOUX O'BRIEN CLAY PALO ALTO HANCOCK CERRO GORDO
$19.8M FLOYD CHICKASAW
ALLAMAKEE
$11.6M $5.0M $2.4M $336,000 $5.4M $87.5M – $260,000 FAYETTE CLAYTON
PLYMOUTH CHEROKEE BUENA VISTA POCAHONTAS HUMBOLDT WRIGHT FRANKLIN BUTLER BREMER
$353,000 $16.8M
$8.8M – $4.0M $742,000 $15.9M $20.0M $2.2M $750,000 $28.5M
WEBSTER BLACK HAWK BUCHANAN DELAWARE DUBUQUE
WOODBURY IDA SAC CALHOUN HAMILTON HARDIN GRUNDY
$29.0M $18.0M $75.4M $80.0M
$169.0M $6.6M
$70.4M $34.5M $100,000 $35,000 $34.2M $22.8M
TAMA BENTON LINN JONES JACKSON
MONONA CRAWFORD CARROLL GREENE BOONE STORY MARSHALL
$30.1M $4.1M
– $1.1M $146.2M
$19,000 $11.3M $4.9M $8.1M $11.1M $182.7M $4.2M CLINTON
CEDAR $36.5M
HARRISON SHELBY AUDUBON GUTHRIE DALLAS POLK JASPER POWESHIEK IOWA JOHNSON
$2.4M
$245,000 $2.3M $9.5M $457,000 $24.2M $396.0M $461.0M 13.7M $14,000 $30.0M $279.2M
MUSCATINE SCOTT
POTTAWATTAMIE CASS ADAIR MADISON WARREN MARION MAHASKA KEOKUK WASHINGTON $113.2M
$6.8M – $733,000 $2.2M $14.4M $29.7M $1.5M $1.5M $7.7M LOUISA
$5.1M
MILLS MONTGOMERY ADAMS UNION CLARKE LUCAS MONROE WAPELLO JEFFERSON HENRY
DES MOINES
$106,000 $214,000 – $1.2M $1.5M $3.9M $27.5M $4.8M $52.2M $234,000 $16.5M
FREMONT PAGE TAYLOR RINGGOLD DECATUR WAYNE APPANOOSE DAVIS VAN BUREN
$4.6M $955,000 $2.0M – $73,000 $1.8M $6.0M $31,000 $315,000
$16.5M
LEE
A small Iowa City agricultural company
found market credibility and
discovered important product insights
after working with CIRAS to research
new technology at Iowa State University.
Amos Petersen, president of Iowa
City-based FarrPro, said the company’s
Haven farrowing system uses
intermediate infrared and parabolic
reflector geometry to create a warm-
but-safer environment for piglets and FarrPro’s Haven farrowing system.
improve overall health. Initial research,
combined with insights from barn plant, as well as yearly sales of more have been a struggle for a company
workers where some testing took place, than $1.3 million. our size.”
led to subsequent studies and several Petersen said the Iowa State research FarrPro is one of more than 4,100
product improvements. According to helped FarrPro’s seven-person team companies that CIRAS has worked with
Petersen, Iowa State research revealed prove the worth of its technology for over the past five years. Combined, those
that Haven can lower the prewean investors and potential customers. projects produced an economic impact
mortality for piglets, reduce disease, and of more than $2.8 billion.
save energy for producers in comparison “The value we received was worth
to the use of traditional heat lamps. several times more than what we paid For more information on working
for the study,” Petersen said. “It was with Iowa State faculty and students,
FarrPro estimates that the project great that CIRAS was able to cofund visit https://www.ciras.iastate.edu/
eventually will create up to 13 jobs and that, because, quite frankly, it would ciras_services/contract-research.
$2 million in investment at the company’s
7
CIRAS SERVES IOWA: BY THE NUMBERS
JOBS: More than 29,000 Added or Retained
Jobs Added or Retained, 2015–2019
LYON OSCEOLA DICKINSON EMMET KOSSUTH WINNEBAGO WORTH MITCHELL HOWARD WINNESHIEK
– – – 9 42 221 164 29
SIOUX O'BRIEN CLAY PALO ALTO HANCOCK CERRO GORDO
1 141
45 FLOYD CHICKASAW
ALLAMAKEE
70 15 39 3 126 374 – – FAYETTE CLAYTON
PLYMOUTH CHEROKEE BUENA VISTA POCAHONTAS HUMBOLDT WRIGHT FRANKLIN BUTLER BREMER 4 335
25 – 11 24 143 73 9 – 453
WEBSTER BLACK HAWK BUCHANAN DELAWARE DUBUQUE
WOODBURY IDA SAC CALHOUN HAMILTON HARDIN GRUNDY
3,004 389 124 613 1,281
1,338 110 1 – 216 326 23
TAMA BENTON LINN JONES JACKSON
MONONA CRAWFORD CARROLL GREENE BOONE STORY MARSHALL
569 46
– 15 1,519
– 221 35 96 46 507 15 CLINTON
HARRISON SHELBY AUDUBON GUTHRIE DALLAS POLK JASPER POWESHIEK IOWA JOHNSON
CEDAR
209
11
14 19 135 2 242 4,175 3,634 195 4 533 5,008
SCOTT
MUSCATINE
POTTAWATTAMIE CASS ADAIR MADISON WARREN MARION MAHASKA KEOKUK WASHINGTON 126
140 1 – 44 14 153 5 15 46 LOUISA
MILLS MONTGOMERY ADAMS UNION CLARKE LUCAS MONROE WAPELLO JEFFERSON HENRY
56
DES MOINES
3 6 – 35 28 – 20 27 463 3 389
FREMONT PAGE TAYLOR RINGGOLD DECATUR WAYNE APPANOOSE DAVIS VAN BUREN
53 21 11 – 2 3 97 – 6 309
LEE
T wo Iowa companies impacted
significantly when the COVID-19
pandemic arose last spring nevertheless
were able to add or retain a combined
170 jobs after CIRAS helped them
partner to make personal protective
equipment (PPE).
Brownmed of Spirit Lake and Metalcraft of
Mason City were two of many companies
CIRAS contacted last March in response
to looming Iowa PPE shortages as the Face shield material at Metalcraft.
coronavirus raged. To help PPE production
ramp up quickly, CIRAS assisted more than 100 jobs and added nearly 70 officer at Metalcraft. “It was nice to
Metalcraft and Brownmed with tooling additional workers. have CIRAS to bounce ideas off of and
and hard-to-get raw materials. These two great to work with Brandon and his team
“Like many companies, in mid-March
companies alone ultimately produced far at Brownmed.”
we essentially saw our core business
more than 1 million face shields, with some
dissipate overnight,” said Brandon Last year, CIRAS worked with companies
donated to local charities and others sold
Rodriguez, vice president of production across Iowa to add or retain more than
to hospitals and state agencies.
management for Brownmed. “If it weren’t 29,000 jobs. Those projects generated an
In addition to helping fill medical needs, for the introductions CIRAS made, it economic impact of more than $2.8 billion.
both companies used the face shield would have been far more challenging
business to keep their workers employed For more information, visit
for us to find the needed resources.”
during the demand-cratering pandemic. www.ciras.iastate.edu/covid-19/
“Obviously, we’re thrilled with how it supply-chain-disruptions/.
Combined, the two companies saved
went,” said Kyle Bermel, chief operating
8
CIRAS SERVES IOWA: BY THE NUMBERS
CONNECTIONS: More than 4,100 Distinct Clients Served
Distinct Clients Served, 2015–2019
LYON OSCEOLA DICKINSON EMMET KOSSUTH WINNEBAGO WORTH MITCHELL HOWARD WINNESHIEK
14 4 21 10 17 9 14 15
SIOUX O'BRIEN CLAY PALO ALTO HANCOCK CERRO GORDO
25 24
27 FLOYD CHICKASAW
ALLAMAKEE
70 18 27 14 24 53 14 13 FAYETTE CLAYTON
PLYMOUTH CHEROKEE BUENA VISTA POCAHONTAS HUMBOLDT WRIGHT FRANKLIN BUTLER BREMER 19 28
19 12 18 10 19 18 11 7 20
WEBSTER BLACK HAWK BUCHANAN DELAWARE DUBUQUE
WOODBURY IDA SAC CALHOUN HAMILTON HARDIN GRUNDY
46 114 19 15 121
108 14 9 11 20 17 5
TAMA BENTON LINN JONES JACKSON
MONONA CRAWFORD CARROLL GREENE BOONE STORY MARSHALL
18 22
13 15 365
7 11 45 16 26 207 34 CLINTON
HARRISON SHELBY AUDUBON GUTHRIE DALLAS POLK JASPER POWESHIEK IOWA JOHNSON
CEDAR
59
10
20 22 8 34 59 786 35 27 23 149 312
SCOTT
MUSCATINE
POTTAWATTAMIE CASS ADAIR MADISON WARREN MARION MAHASKA KEOKUK WASHINGTON 49
140 18 12 14 41 51 23 10 23 LOUISA
MILLS MONTGOMERY ADAMS UNION CLARKE LUCAS MONROE WAPELLO JEFFERSON HENRY
10
DES MOINES
20 20 7 19 12 7 9 34 26 15 45
FREMONT PAGE TAYLOR RINGGOLD DECATUR WAYNE APPANOOSE DAVIS VAN BUREN
9 37 7 6 9 8 20 8 8 34
LEE
I owa manufacturers know that com-
petition eventually will require them to
learn more about automation technology,
Ramco employee educating
at a CIRAS event.
including robotics and vision systems,
Hank Norem believes. However, it remains
difficult for most of them to make the leap.
“A lot of companies are looking at this
technology, but they’re not adopting
it yet,” said Norem, president of West
Des Moines-based Ramco Innovations.
“Working together with CIRAS, we can
continue to educate companies on then evaluate it before investing. With help from partners, CIRAS hosted six
automation and hopefully make them Digital Manufacturing Lab tours between
Other CIRAS technology partners
stronger in the long run.” September 2019 and March 2020, when
include Computer Aided Technology
Ramco is one of three partners helping COVID-19 closed the physical space.
(a 3D printing and scanning company
CIRAS expose Iowa manufacturers After shifting to virtual, CIRAS hosted
in West Des Moines) and MakuSafe
to cutting-edge technology through more than 20 online technology events
(a West Des Moines safety, data, and
Iowa State’s Digital Manufacturing Lab between March and November 2020.
analytics company).
powered by Alliant Energy. CIRAS has worked with more than 4,100
Chris Hill, director of the CIRAS
Opened in September 2019, the lab companies over the past five years on
Technology Assistance Program (TAP),
helps Iowa companies filter the projects with an economic impact of
said local partnering relationships help
noise surrounding new technologies. more than $2.8 billion.
CIRAS access new technology while
Manufacturers can explore options, find meeting an important goal of connecting For more, visit
the right application for their business, companies and keeping investment https://newswire.ciras.iastate.edu/
dollars inside Iowa. category/digital-manufacturing-lab/. 9
CIRAS SERVES IOWA: BY THE NUMBERS
WORKFORCE PIPELINE: More than 2,400 Interns Placed
Iowa State University interns at Iowa companies, 2019
LYON OSCEOLA DICKINSON EMMET KOSSUTH WINNEBAGO WORTH MITCHELL HOWARD WINNESHIEK
– 2 15 1 12 1 5 4
SIOUX O'BRIEN CLAY PALO ALTO HANCOCK CERRO GORDO
1 –
9 FLOYD CHICKASAW
ALLAMAKEE
2 5 7 5 4 17 6 8 FAYETTE CLAYTON
PLYMOUTH CHEROKEE BUENA VISTA POCAHONTAS HUMBOLDT WRIGHT FRANKLIN BUTLER BREMER 4 4
7 1 10 1 4 12 9 3 6
WEBSTER BLACK HAWK BUCHANAN DELAWARE DUBUQUE
WOODBURY IDA SAC CALHOUN HAMILTON HARDIN GRUNDY
13 39 8 11 14
19 7 3 5 9 11 4
TAMA BENTON LINN JONES JACKSON
MONONA CRAWFORD CARROLL GREENE BOONE STORY MARSHALL
3 10
3 – 150
5 2 14 3 23 783 49 CLINTON
HARRISON SHELBY AUDUBON GUTHRIE DALLAS POLK JASPER POWESHIEK IOWA JOHNSON
CEDAR
7
5
2 6 1 2 23 773 6 4 31 21 30
SCOTT
MUSCATINE
POTTAWATTAMIE CASS ADAIR MADISON WARREN MARION MAHASKA KEOKUK WASHINGTON 43
13 2 4 2 6 33 4 4 7 LOUISA
MILLS MONTGOMERY ADAMS UNION CLARKE LUCAS MONROE WAPELLO JEFFERSON HENRY
1
DES MOINES
1 4 1 11 4 1 – 7 7 1 12
FREMONT PAGE TAYLOR RINGGOLD DECATUR WAYNE APPANOOSE DAVIS VAN BUREN
– 2 5 – – 1 7 – 5 4
LEE
H enderson Products is a big believer
in its partnership with Iowa State
University engineering students.
Last fall, the Manchester manufacturer
of multipurpose equipment for heavy-
duty work trucks launched three
yearlong projects with Iowa State
seniors. The capstone projects involved
teams of senior engineering students
working to improve the ergonomics of Iowa State alumni working at Henderson
Products in Manchester.
equipment on a dump body production
line and studying the safest way for But Henderson Products has a deeper capstones and internships, we’ve
employees to remove parts from large interest as well, Sigwarth said. Working recruited some very strong talent from
laser tables. with Iowa State students gives Iowa State University. This will be crucial
Jerry Sigwarth, continuous improvement the 450-person company a perfect as we continue to improve, engage, and
engineering manager at Henderson, opportunity to present its best face to a grow as a company.”
said capstone projects are a perfect valuable future workforce.
Iowa State University sent more than
way for the company to focus additional “We take a lot of pride in being 2,400 interns to hundreds of Iowa
resources on nagging problems or test customer- and results-driven,” Sigwarth companies like Henderson last year.
the feasibility of new ideas. Students can said. “Any opportunity to gain exposure Those students were employed at
help answer important questions “that and help potential talent understand businesses stretching through 91
wouldn’t normally make it to the top of what Henderson does, what the culture Iowa counties.
the priority list.” is, and what the opportunities are
For more, visit www.ciras.iastate.edu/
helps set us up for the future. Through
ciras_services/capstone-design/.
10UPCOMING EVENTS
COVID-19 Assessment Helps Larson Ensure Best ■ Weekly COVID-19
Roundtable for
Practices during Pandemic Manufacturers
Tuesdays
Like most responsible companies navigating a pandemic, Larson Manufacturing 7:30 a.m.
worked hard to secure its Lake Mills manufacturing facility against COVID-19. Among Online presentations on a
other things, the company posted signs, upgraded its cleaning procedures, and weekly topic followed by
installed social distancing barriers. But was that enough? questions and answers.
To make certain, Larson last summer became
one of Iowa’s first companies to receive
■ Virtual Lean Coffees
a CIRAS virtual COVID-19 Preparedness 3rd Friday each month
Assessment. CIRAS can offer these and 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
other assessments at no cost thanks to
funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and ■ Using beta.SAM.gov
Economic Security (CARES) Act through the February 15, 2021
NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership. Webinar exploring the
government’s website for
“Even though we felt we were doing
finding potential bidding
pretty well, we thought we’d seek out the
opportunities.
opportunity to find out if there were any
gaps we needed to fill,” said Brian Throne,
■ Capabilities Statement
Iowa operations manager for the door and
February 24, 2021
window company. “I think we learned a lot.”
Webinar explaining what
CIRAS experts spent several hours over a capabilities statement is,
the course of three weeks evaluating the why it’s important, and how
company on 65 criteria spread across to draft and share one.
13 areas. Company leaders used video
conferencing, email, and a secure file- Updated signage at Larson
Manufacturing. ■ Sales Strategy for 2021
sharing tool to discuss COVID-19 policies
February 26, 2021
and procedures and to share photos and
videos with the CIRAS team.
AT A GLANCE Webinar to help leaders
understand the key
The result? CIRAS experts identified several Larson Manufacturing Co. dimensions of strategy.
areas where Larson could do things such FOUNDED: 1954
as increase visual controls at entry points OVERVIEW: Largest manufacturer of storm ■ Subcontracting
and aid cleaning efforts by removing some doors and storm windows in the United April 7, 2021
nonessential items from work areas. States.
Webinar to help businesses
EMPLOYEES: 240 in Iowa understand subcontracting
CIRAS project manager Marc Schneider
IMPACT: Peace of mind, better plan for a opportunities and where to
described the changes as “minor things,” future event.
such as upgrading quickly assembled find them.
FOR MORE: www.larsondoors.com
social distancing markers (8.5” by 11”
printouts taped to walls) to larger, more For details on these
permanent signage. Throne said Larson also plans to improve and other events, visit
the clarity of some written policies. www.ciras.iastate.edu/
“Part of our purpose was just to validate
events-workshops.
that what they were doing made sense, and “This was a really comprehensive review,”
they weren’t missing anything,” Schneider he said. “I think we’ll come away from this
said. “The biggest thing was helping them with a better plan for any future event.”
transition to the long term.”
For more about COVID-19 assessments, contact Marc Schneider at
maschn@iastate.edu or 563-221-1596.
11Spring Career Fairs
■ Business, Industry, and
Technology Career Fair
Thursday, February 25, 2021
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Virtual (short, online video meetings)
(focuses on business, liberal arts
and sciences, and human sciences)
CONTACT: bcs@iastate.edu
Colonel Candice Frost appearing at the ILC Virtual Annual Conference.
■ Design Career Fair
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ILC Virtual Annual Conference Builds Lean Leaders
Virtual Good leadership should be purposely developed in yourself and others by
CONTACT: building strong relationships with those on your team, an Iowa-born U.S. Army
designcareers@iastate.edu colonel told more than 200 Iowa business leaders in October.
■ Engineering Career Fair Col. Candice Frost was the keynote speaker What matters is that you provide purpose,
Tuesday, February 16, 2021, and for October’s first-ever Annual Virtual direction, and, most importantly, motivation
Wednesday, February 17, 2021 Conference by the Iowa Lean Consortium for others.”
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (ILC). The event, customarily the largest
Good bosses know their people and what
Virtual single educational event put on by CIRAS,
they’re able to do, she said—meaning they
was held online for the first time in 2020 due
CONTACT: ecs@iastate.edu know how to put each person in a position
to COVID-19.
to succeed.
■ People to People Career Fair In addition to Frost, the conference
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 Frost acknowledged that some managers
included six breakout sessions covering,
are required by circumstance to be
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. among other things, how the Omaha
“transactional” leaders, always focused on
Virtual Public Power District used Lean to create
maintaining the status quo and doing what’s
(focuses on human/social services, a strong problem-solving culture and a
necessary to keep their team in line. But she
education, health/wellness, government, video summary of continuous improvement
urged her audience, when possible, to “shift
and hospitality; hosted by the Colleges projects completed by Cardinal Glass.
your mindset from a bureaucratic checklist
of Human Sciences and Liberal Arts and Involving frontline workers in problem- to become a broader leader. Those are the
Sciences) solving sessions propelled success, said bosses you forever treasure, because they
CONTACT: hscareers@iastate.edu Brian Kramer, a substation manager for the saw something in you that you didn’t see in
power district. “We would take that quick yourself.”
■ Teacher Education Fair
win, and we would implement it instantly,”
Monday, March 1, 2021 Frost urged listeners to mentor others
he said. “Those quick wins were really
Noon to 4:00 p.m. and seek out mentors themselves—even
important.”
Virtual during “adverse times.” Find a mentor now,
CONTACT: hscareers@iastate.edu Col. Frost, originally from Muscatine, she said, and “you’ll truly demonstrate
currently serves as director of foreign commitment to your craft.”
Students wait for interviews during a intelligence for the Army G-2 within
The ILC began offering a mentor-matching
prepandemic career fair. U.S. Army headquarters. Speaking from
service for its members at the end of
Washington, D.C., she called on Iowans
2019. ILC program director Tracy Schuster
to work at building leadership skills and
said the mentoring process recently was
encouraging the trait in others.
simplified through the ILC’s own Plan, Do,
“Each of you has the opportunity to grow Check, Act process. Would-be mentees
this skill,” she said. “Leaders are made, not now can search a database and contact a
born. No one comes out of the womb a chief potential mentor directly to inquire about
executive or a colonel in the U.S. Army. the possibility of working together.
For more, contact Tracy Schuster at tschust@iastate.edu or 515-715-0164.
12 (For conference recordings, visit the Members Only area of www.ciras.iastate.edu/iowalean.)GOVTALK–B2G SALES
UEA Finds Success through Proposal Process FOR THE RECORD
Key pillars of the CIRAS support
A Waverly manufacturer of slip rings landed structure continue to be reinforced
a $1.7 million contract from the Federal AT A GLANCE by federal agencies so CIRAS can
Aviation Administration after CIRAS helped maintain access to its vast network
the company understand government bidding United Equipment of expertise.
requirements and learn how to write a Accessories
CIRAS received its annual award from
formal proposal. FOUNDED: 1952 the National Institute for Standards
OVERVIEW: Family-owned and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing
Hemen Dattani, sales director for United
company specializing in a Extension Partnership (MEP). As part
Equipment Accessories (UEA), was tasked wide variety of rotary motion of a long-term agreement, $2.1 million
last March to explore federal contracting products. of federal money is matched with
opportunities so UEA could leverage a newly EMPLOYEES: 145 CIRAS funds to create an MEP program
forged research and development partnership budget of $4.2 million. In addition, as
IMPACT: A new contract
to expand design capabilities and make the part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
worth $1.7 million.
Economic Security (CARES) Act, CIRAS
company competitive in new markets. He FOR MORE: www.uea-inc.com received $595,000 to help small and
turned to the CIRAS Procurement Technical
medium-sized manufacturers respond
Assistance Center (PTAC) for help. to COVID-19. During 2020, CIRAS also
won competitive awards in the amount
CIRAS government contracting specialist Melissa Burant worked with Dattani
of $200,000 to increase the adoption of
for weeks helping him learn how to interpret the government’s requirements.
Industry 4.0 technologies and $53,000
The nature of the project meant that UEA had to do more than simply provide to create a regional service center
a product—the company would need to write a proposal explaining how it supporting the MEP National Network
would meet the FAA’s needs. in food manufacturing.
With Burant’s help, Dattani found a proposal-writing class. He then worked a The U.S. Defense Logistics Agency
week of 15-hour days to write and submit UEA’s proposal. recently renewed CIRAS as Iowa’s
Procurement Technical Assistance
Burant described the collaboration as a perfect example of how companies Center (PTAC). CIRAS will receive
can make the most of PTAC assistance. roughly $700,000 during the next fiscal
year. The money is matched with CIRAS
“The greatest difference I have observed between those companies who see funds to provide nearly $1.2 million
success versus those who don’t is that successful companies tend to work of assistance to Iowa businesses in
with us side by side and understand the importance of tapping into PTAC as a navigating the world of government
resource,” she said. “We may not always have the answers, but we’re a great contracting.
guiding light to show you the way.” CIRAS last year received $1.4 million
through the Iowa Legislature’s
Dattani praised PTAC’s expert counsel.
Economic Development Appropriations
“This is selling by writing,” Dattani said. “It’s very different in many ways, and Bill to fund our Technology Assistance
Program (TAP), which provides
totally new for us. Melissa was very instrumental in guiding me through each
expertise and funding to businesses
step of the way.”
to lessen the risk of adopting new
For more information, contact Melissa Burant at mmburant@iastate.edu technologies.
or 563-726-9958. Finally, CIRAS has received another
The United Equipment Accessories Team. $138,000 installment of a grant from
the federal Economic Development
Administration (EDA) to assist rural
communities in their search for skilled
workers. The initiative, known as the
Iowa Workforce Innovation Network
(iWin), is matched with CIRAS funds
and other grants for a program budget
of $276,000. Additionally, the CARES
Act is providing another $150,000 in
FY2021 for workforce-related programs
to assist with pandemic recovery.
13AT A GLANCE
Mix of Ancient, Advanced Technologies Premier Real Estate Services
Salvage Older Elevator FOUNDED: 2010
EMPLOYEES: 6
A downtown Des Moines apartment building avoided a costly elevator OVERVIEW: A full array of real estate
replacement last year after CIRAS helped its owners recreate an services for investors, owners, and tenants.
essential piece of safety equipment. IMPACT: Delayed costly purchase of a new
elevator cab.
Investors bought the aging, 11-story building at 600 East Fifth Street in
LEARN MORE: www.premier-midwest.com
Des Moines in 2013. They then renamed it The Lyon and spent two years
remodeling it into 103 new apartments. A problem soon became apparent,
however, in that something important
seemed to have been lost during the sale.
An account manager with The Lyon’s
elevator maintenance company
estimated that equipment there dates
back “at least 50 years”—to a time
when elevator shafts were built with
key-controlled “safeties” located roughly
at each floor to catch the car in case a
cable broke. Once engaged, whether
via accident or test, those safeties could
only be reset by turning a key in a slot in
the elevator car floor.
A key that The Lyon no longer had.
“The cab is original to the building,
and they no longer manufacture that
model,” said Brittany Jackson, an account manager with Premier Real Estate
Services. Borrowing a key soon became untenable, so “we looked online.
We looked on eBay. Nothing. Recreating one was the only option.”
Premier contacted CIRAS for help, but physical limitations blocked the first
attempt to create a 3D scan of the keyhole. So experts reverted to much older
technology: they stuffed modeling clay into the mechanism, then scanned the
removed clay and used it to create a 3D design.
Chris Hill, director of the CIRAS Technology Assistance Program (TAP),
then worked with CIRAS project manager Jake Behrens to clean
up the computerized design and 3D print a plastic prototype. After a
few modifications, CIRAS used its metal 3D printer to create a new
permanent key.
“This just shows that these technologies are not just for manufacturers,”
Hill said, arguing that many technologies found in Iowa State University’s
Digital Manufacturing Lab powered by Alliant Energy also could prove helpful
in other ways, such as when builders seek to recreate old architectural
features. “There are a lot of other areas where they can be put to use.”
For Jackson, the project was a lifesaver.
“Without this option, I’m not quite sure where the owners of our building
Lyon on-site building manager Cody Hiles turns
would be,” she said. “We got severely lucky in finding CIRAS.” the key in front of a mural inside an elevator.
For more information, contact Chris Hill at chhill@iastate.edu Smaller photos show the keyhole, a clay molding
or 515-313-8251. used for scanning (top left), and two plastic
prototypes.
14CONTACT INFORMATION
Persistent Bidding Helps Engage. Educate. Embed.
Bowe Machine Break into Since 1963, we have delivered proven services to enhance the performance of
industry. Our approach—Engage. Educate. Embed.—creates specific solutions
Government Contracting that allow each business and its community to prosper and grow. Coupled with a
satisfaction guarantee, our typical client has achieved a 200% ROI. Clients have
A Bettendorf machine shop landed government reported an economic impact of more than $2.8 billion over the past five years.
contracts worth more than $100,000 after CIRAS Locate your county to find your best introduction to CIRAS.
helped a new supervisor delve deep into the In addition to four regional account managers, CIRAS has six regional
intricacies of government bidding. government contracting specialists,* a statewide account manager
Michael Bigsby had been working at Bowe Machine
for the food industry, and one for economic development. More staff
Company for roughly six months when he proposed information can be found at www.ciras.iastate.edu/staff.asp.
that the company pursue government contracts. Bigsby
had been involved in quoting government jobs for a CIRAS PARTNERS
previous employer, but he had never played a major • Iowa State University
role in the bidding process.
· Center for Crops
So, he sought help understanding the procedures. Utilization Research
· Center for
Melissa Burant, a government contracting specialist
Nondestructive
with the CIRAS Procurement Technical Assistance Center Evaluation
(PTAC), worked closely with Bigsby for several months
· College of Engineering
to get Bowe registered with government agencies and
NORTHWEST · Department of
certified to see sensitive information. She helped him
Derek Thompson Economics
get set up with CIRAS BidMatch, a computer system that
thompson@iastate.edu • 515-419-2163 · Department of
sorts government bidding opportunities based on user-
Mary Zimmerman* Environmental Health
defined criteria, and continued tweaking the settings and Safety
maryz@iastate.edu • 515-450-1278
until Bigsby’s daily email load was manageable.
· Engineering Career
The two kept talking over several months as Bigsby NORTHEAST Services
bid roughly 50 to 60 jobs without ever receiving a Steve Wilson · Extension and
contract. Eventually, wilsons@iastate.edu • 515-620-6036 Outreach
Julie Fagle*
perseverance paid off in
several jobs producing
AT A GLANCE jafagle@iastate.edu • 319-310-8612
· Iowa Grain Quality
Initiative
welding fixtures for Bowe Machine Co. · Meat Science
SOUTHWEST
military machine shops. Extension
FOUNDED: 1956 Paul Dunnwald
“It seemed like once we dunnwald@iastate.edu • 515-509-1377 · Polymer and Food
OVERVIEW: Family-owned job Protection Consortium
got our name out there Jodi Essex*
and contract machine shop. · Structural Engineering
and we won one, then jodir@iastate.edu • 515-509-0769
EMPLOYEES: 70 Research Laboratory
I started getting phone Justin Niceswanger*
calls,” Bigsby said. IMPACT: More than $100,000. jnice@iastate.edu • 515-509-9565
• Alliant Energy
FOR MORE: • Iowa Area Development
“He kept showing up,” SOUTHEAST Group
www.bowemachine.com
Burant said. “He didn’t Glenn Volkman • Iowa Association of
let up on the gas after gvolkman@iastate.edu • 515-205-3786 Business and Industry
our first conversation. He put it into practice, and he has Melissa Burant*
• Iowa Economic
continued to invest in the process.” mmburant@iastate.edu • 563-726-9958 Development Authority
Burant praised the company’s determination, and Bowe Samantha Ferm* • Iowa Farm Bureau
siferm@iastate.edu • 319-333-9558
praised Burant’s quality advice. • Iowa Sustainable
STATEWIDE Business Forum
“Melissa has been a great help,” Bigsby said. “Anytime
I have a question about whether I’m doing something Brenda Martin (Food Industry) • North Iowa Area
bkmartin@iastate.edu • 515-570-5282 Community College
right, I call her.”
Mark Reinig (Economic Development) • Northeast Iowa
For more information, contact Melissa Burant mreinig@iastate.edu • 515-231-4150
Community College
at mmburant@iastate.edu or 563-726-9958.
1805 Collaboration Place, Suite 2300, Ames, Iowa 50010-9166
Phone: 515-294-3420 • ciras.info@iastate.edu • www.ciras.iastate.edu
15Center for Industrial Research and Service
1805 Collaboration Place, Suite 2300
Ames, Iowa 50010-9166
www.ciras.iastate.edu
GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
Digital Manufacturing Lab: A Smart Resource for Iowa Manufacturers
By Abhay Grover
The manufacturing world has changed. Isolated purchasing decisions. We also can assist proof-of-concept
mechanical systems are being replaced by real-time, development and help with implementation.
interconnected, and self-operating systems that share Our partnerships with technology leaders around the state
data among themselves. This is the fourth industrial help CIRAS give our clients access to the latest technology
revolution and the future of operational efficiency. resources. Currently, our lab houses state-of-the-art 3D
Is your manufacturing operation ready? printers, metrology-grade laser scanners, robots, sensors,
vision systems, and more. We work continually to develop
CIRAS, working closely with our technology partners, is
new and pertinent demonstration units to explain what
working hard to get you there.
the technology can do—always guided by the direct
In September 2019, we opened Iowa State University’s feedback we get from Iowa manufacturers. Recent
Digital Manufacturing Lab powered by Alliant Energy. The technology additions include contact tracing and density
lab helps companies experience, identify, and implement mapping sensors.
cutting-edge Industry 4.0 manufacturing technologies.
If you’re not sure where to start, CIRAS has a robust
We help businesses succeed by solving business
Industry 4.0 technology assessment process to help
problems and making sure they have a plan that supports
companies identify and prioritize potential needs. This
technology beyond the initial implementation.
covers areas such as cybersecurity, augmented and virtual
CIRAS helps companies explore new technologies reality, big data analytics, robotics, industrial automation,
through educational events, webinars, and on- system integration, Internet of things, and 3D printing.
site demonstrations. We work with our Digital Lab
Industry 4.0 is here to stay, and new technologies can
technology partners to help companies understand
solve real business problems in new ways. CIRAS can
areas where technologies can provide new solutions to
help you find those solutions with a minimum of risk.
old problems. We help companies test the possibilities,
then we connect them with providers and support any For more information, contact Abhay Grover at
agrover@iastate.edu or 515-509-1485.
16You can also read
