The first affordable consumer microwave oven, the Amana Radarange®, became available in 1967. Today, Accelerated Cooking Products (ACP), based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, produces commercial microwave ovens under the Amana® brand and others for the professional food-service industry. That commitment to reliable, high-performance products remains unchanged.
Casual dining and quick-serve restaurants worldwide depend on Amana Commercial microwave ovens, known for their performance, reliability, and ease of use. These companies value efficiency and productivity, with automation and AI playing an increasing role.
“Due to labor shortages and the drive toward higher operational efficiency, customers are demanding more automation,” said Ed Cook, vice president of engineering at ACP. “An automated door reduces labor and speeds up the process. Saving four to six seconds is significant for quick-serve fast-food restaurants. Fortunately, we have a unique product that is the perfect platform for automation.”
To meet this need, ACP worked with CIRAS to develop a proof-of-concept for an automated door system. Current ovens require the user to manually close the door. Automating this step would improve speed and competitiveness.
students demonstrate a prototype design during testing, helping
refine a cost-effective concept for future development.
Tens of thousands of ovens are already in use, so Cook wanted a solution that could integrate into the existing design without major cost or disruption. “That would be a huge win for us,” he said.
Smaller companies like ACP often face tight R&D budgets. CIRAS project manager Mayra Stephanie Ramirez suggested involving Iowa State University’s College of Engineering Capstone Program. The program connects student teams, guided by faculty, with companies seeking affordable, innovative solutions.
In fall 2024, a team of students collaborated with an ACP engineer. “The students were very engaged and asked smart questions,” said Cook. “Each brought a unique skill set, such as programming or industrial design. This cross-section of skills produced really interesting ideas.”
The team proposed a design using two timing-belt systems controlled by servomotors to automatically open and close the door.
“The team did a nice job providing a proof of concept worth refining into a production-ready version,” said Cook. “The project will help us better understand and proceed with the design.”
ACP is planning a follow-up project. “The next step is to refine the concept into a working oven,” said Cook. “We look forward to what the students present us.”
Contact Mayra Stephanie Ramirez at ramirezm@iastate.edu to learn more.
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