CIRAS recently expanded its Digital Manufacturing Laboratory Powered by Alliant Energy, offering Iowa companies even more opportunities to explore how Industry 4.0 technologies can address their unique challenges.
At the lab, visitors are invited to discuss specific pain points, test various technologies, and determine a path forward with support from CIRAS staff. The lab showcases tools such as 3D printers, 3D scanners, robots, cobots, sensors, and wearable technologies including exoskeletons.
“Our goal is to reduce the risks associated with technology adoption. We continuously evolve to meet industry needs and keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies,“ said Chris Hill, CIRAS program director.
One company that benefited from the lab is Ritchie Industries, a livestock-waterer manufacturer based in Conrad. The company was interested in using a 3D scanner to inspect molds for imperfections.
“If it weren’t for CIRAS, we would have had to find a supplier, hope for the right support, arrange a demonstration, and ensure our factory software was compatible,” said Jason Kern, quality coordinator at Ritchie Industries.
Instead, CIRAS simplified the process.
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“CIRAS came up with a game plan for us,” Kern said. “We visited the digital lab, we saw a 3D scanner demonstration, and they made it easy. CIRAS took the risk out of the decision.”
The digital lab also supported Hach, a global water-testing company in Ames. Hach needed a better tool for removing adhesive residue from blades used to cut test-strip paper. Their existing tool was awkward and lacked ergonomic efficiency. After years of trying to solve the issue internally, the company partnered with CIRAS.
Together, they used CAD modeling and 3D printing to develop a more effective and ergonomic cleaning tool.
“We’ve seen a series of incremental improvements in the tool,” said Marty Schildroth, process engineering manager at Hach. “Partnering with CIRAS and utilizing Iowa State interns has benefited our company and helped develop our team members.”
Satyam Sharma, an Iowa State junior in mechanical engineering, played a key role in the collaboration.
“Using the various technologies and the team approach made a huge difference for the project,” Sharma said.
Mary Lisle Landhuis of Lisle Corporation, an automotive specialty tool manufacturer in Clarinda, appreciates the lab’s portability—especially for companies located hours away from Ames.
“They helped us evaluate some technologies we were considering and identify the best fit,” she said. “Sometimes knowing what not to pursue is just as helpful. Working with the CIRAS team to objectively identify both was a great benefit.”
With all the success stories coming out of the CIRAS digital lab, Hill noted that the partnership with Alliant Energy has been vital to the lab’s achievements since 2019.
“Our partnership with Alliant has been instrumental—both in our growth and in the recent expansion, which increased our space by nearly 50 percent,” Hill said. “We also work with numerous technology partners—leaders in their fields—who help us showcase an expanding range of technologies that Iowa companies can use to enhance competitiveness and strengthen communities.”
“We invite companies to attend a digital lab tour and explore practical solutions to their most pressing challenges.”
Contact Chris Hill at chhill@iastate.edu to learn more.
To sign up for an upcoming lab tour, visit go.iastate.edu/AVCMFI.