Welcome to the CIRAS Digital Manufacturing Lab, powered by Alliant Energy

Publications Growth Technology

Details: The CIRAS Digital Manufacturing Lab, powered by Alliant Energy is located at the Iowa State University Research Park in Ames, Iowa. The Lab is home to numerous advanced Industry 4.0 technologies that are used to help Iowa companies de-risk technology adoption. Featured Technologies: Wearable Sensors Robotic Automation 3D Printers 3D Scanners Contact CIRAS to schedule your Digital Lab Tour: https://www.ciras.iastate.edu/contact-us/

CIRAS- Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) Highlight: Deaf Services Unlimited

Publications Government Contracting Growth

Details: The CIRAS Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) helps Iowa businesses identify, compete for, and win government contracts. Our no-cost and nominal cost assistance comes in the form of teaching, mentoring, and coaching. We also provide clients with a complete set of tools to research and identify opportunities for selling their products or services to the government. CIRAS government contracting specialists work with Iowa companies to understand the market potential of government procurement, reduce the barriers inherent to government contracting, and assist existing government contractors with market expansion. To be contacted by your regional government contracting specialist, submit a PTAC Request for Counseling: https://www.ciras.iastate.edu/ptac-request-for-counseling/

CIRAS Workforce Strategies

Publications Workforce

Details: Iowa has a low unemployment rate, due largely to the state’s slow growth and pronounced young-adult outmigration. Rural Iowa is particularly distressed. Of Iowa’s 99 counties, 71 have lost population since the 2010 census. CIRAS has non-traditional workforce solutions needed in order for businesses to better compete in a global market.

Bioeconomy Vision and Roadmap (2002)

Publications Food Industry Growth

Details: A vision for converting agricultural crops and residues into biobased products and bioenergy is highlighted, together with a roadmap for achieving this vision. The project was a collaborative effort among a diverse group of stakeholders, including producers, commodity groups, private industry, financial institutions, state agencies, environmental advocates, and university researchers. The U.S. Department of Energy and Iowa State University/CIRAS funded the cost of organizing this effort, bringing together stakeholders and assimilating the input from these many groups.

Motor Vehicle Electrification: Implications for Iowa

Publications Growth Leadership Workforce

Details: As the automotive industry transitions from internal combustion engines to battery electric and hybrid engines, we will see significant changes to the market and supply chain, creating risks and opportunities for manufacturers. This report provides an overview of the current automotive industry in Iowa, technology trends, areas of risk and opportunity, and workforce considerations.

Identifying Successful Capstone Projects

Publications Growth Productivity

Details: This one-page document describes what the ISU capstone program is, what clients might expect to get from a project, which departments commonly host capstone projects, how to identify a valuable capstone project, and who you can contact within CIRAS to discuss capstone projects in greater detail.

How Small Manufacturers Can Develop Risk Management Strategies for their Supply Chains

Publications Leadership

Details: Small- to Medium-sized manufacturers continue to be more vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions than larger companies. Having to pay more is a difficult dynamic, but cost becomes less important if you can’t deliver a product. As uncertainty has been magnified, it is now essential for you to manage risk by preparing for and adapting to unexpected disruptions in order to increase your resilience and be responsive to customers.

ISU Capstone Program Flyer

Publications Technology Workforce

Details: Skilled engineers are essential at innovative companies when it comes to applying new technologies to solve complex problems, develop new product concepts, and create new manufacturing processes. The College of Engineering at Iowa State University offers companies the opportunity to do these things via capstone projects.

Support Structure Development and Initial Results for Metal Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing System

Publications Technology

Details: Metal additive manufacturing (3D Printing) is a powerful tool brought to realization by modern technology. With metal additive manufacturing, an entire new manufacturing tool is now available to companies. One challenge with this tool is the creation of needed support structures for given part geometries. This paper outlines considerations for various support structure options to utilize for different part geometries to reduce build failures.