INTM Projects: IPRO and Research
Industrial Technology and Management facilitates numerous projects for industry and outside organizations. Each semester, INTM faculty oversee an average of six Interprofessional Projects (IPROs), wherein interdisciplinary groups of 10 to 12 students work under the guidance of a faculty advisor to formulate solutions to real-world problems facing an industrial company. In addition, INTM faculty work directly with industrial clients to address pressing operational issues.
IPRO 304: Integration of Process Improvements
Sponsor: A. Finkl & Sons
Faculty: Will Maurer and Sheldon Mostovoy (MMAE)
A. Finkl & Sons is the leading supplier of forging die steels, plastic mold steels, die casting tool steels and custom open-die forgings. During milling operations, a substantial amount of time and money was lost when cutting inserts broke without warning. The scope of this continuing IPRO was to devise a way to detect a degrading or broken insert before damage could occur to finished steel goods and other cutting inserts. Ultimately, A. Finkl & Sons was able to reduce labor and production costs and improve productivity.
Presentation link: http://tinyurl.com/6geewfm
Faculty: Will Maurer and Sheldon Mostovoy (MMAE)
A. Finkl & Sons is the leading supplier of forging die steels, plastic mold steels, die casting tool steels and custom open-die forgings. During milling operations, a substantial amount of time and money was lost when cutting inserts broke without warning. The scope of this continuing IPRO was to devise a way to detect a degrading or broken insert before damage could occur to finished steel goods and other cutting inserts. Ultimately, A. Finkl & Sons was able to reduce labor and production costs and improve productivity.
Presentation link: http://tinyurl.com/6geewfm
IPRO 306: Improving a Global Supply Chain
Sponsor: Sloan Valve Co.
Faculty: John Catagirone
Sloan Valve is a 104-year old, privately-held manufacturer and global distributor of commercial valves and plumbing fixtures. The team assisted the company in optimizing their Global Supply Chain in three areas of operations: Overall Equipment Efficiency, Sourcing and Sustainability, and Green Supply Chain. Collectively, the team was able to achieve the goals set for the project.
Presentation link: http://tinyurl.com/6jgnb84
IPRO 336: Implementing The Plant, Chicago's "Vertical Farm"
Sponsor: The Plant / Chicago Sustainable Manufacturing Center
Faculty: Blake Davis
With growing interest in fresh organic produce and minimally processed balanced diets, large urban centers are facing the challenge of a steady supply of fresh produce in large quantities, especially in cities like Chicago with long winters and short growing seasons. The team studied the feasibility of creating a large scale indoor growing operation, maximizing a building's mechanics, identifying low emissions methods to power and heat a building, and developing open-source control systems for such operations.
Presentation link : http://tinyurl.com/3dbu6wo
Faculty: Blake Davis
With growing interest in fresh organic produce and minimally processed balanced diets, large urban centers are facing the challenge of a steady supply of fresh produce in large quantities, especially in cities like Chicago with long winters and short growing seasons. The team studied the feasibility of creating a large scale indoor growing operation, maximizing a building's mechanics, identifying low emissions methods to power and heat a building, and developing open-source control systems for such operations.
Presentation link : http://tinyurl.com/3dbu6wo
IPRO 338: Improving Electrical Efficiency - Building Information Modeling
Sponsor: Electrical Contractors' Association of the City of Chicago
Faculty: Daniel Tomal
The electrical contracting industry has experienced a significant economic downturn and contractors sought methods to secure more work. The team was challenged to create a step-by-step business development plan. The team was successful in developing a guidebook consisting of detailed explanations, examples, strategies, templates, and resources to allow a company to develop its own business development plan.
Presentation: http://tinyurl.com/6k6fb3q
Faculty: Daniel Tomal
The electrical contracting industry has experienced a significant economic downturn and contractors sought methods to secure more work. The team was challenged to create a step-by-step business development plan. The team was successful in developing a guidebook consisting of detailed explanations, examples, strategies, templates, and resources to allow a company to develop its own business development plan.
Presentation: http://tinyurl.com/6k6fb3q
IPRO 339: Piston and Piston Pin Manufacturing Process Improvement
Sponsor: Burgess-Norton Mfg. Co.
Faculty: Philip Lewis
Burgess-Norton Manufacturing Company is the world's largest manufacturer of piston pins and leading producer of powder metal parts. This project focused on assisting the company in eliminating a persistent problem brought on by recent changes in product specifications by the automobile industry. These changes led to nicks on the piston pins. The team successfully developed an approach to eliminate the problem and provided concrete solutions for increasing productivity and decreasing costs, while assuring high quality control.
Presentation Link: http://tinyurl.com/3puzqvz
Faculty: Philip Lewis
Burgess-Norton Manufacturing Company is the world's largest manufacturer of piston pins and leading producer of powder metal parts. This project focused on assisting the company in eliminating a persistent problem brought on by recent changes in product specifications by the automobile industry. These changes led to nicks on the piston pins. The team successfully developed an approach to eliminate the problem and provided concrete solutions for increasing productivity and decreasing costs, while assuring high quality control.
Presentation Link: http://tinyurl.com/3puzqvz
IPRO 340: Techno-Business Study of Alternative Uses of Brewers' Spent Grain
Sponsor: Rock Bottom Brewery
Faculty: Mitchell Dushay & Philip Lewis
Rock Bottom Brewery is a local micro-brewery with several brew pubs in the Chicagoland area. The goal of the team was to work with the company in identifying uses for spent grain, a valuable by-product of the beer brewing process. The team evaluated business practices, logistics, costs, storage partnering, environmental impact, and practicality of each option. A catalogue was created describing business alternatives of spent grain, which so impressed the company that they shared it with the Chicago Brewers Association.
Presentation: http://tinyurl.com/6dl3ltq
Faculty: Mitchell Dushay & Philip Lewis
Rock Bottom Brewery is a local micro-brewery with several brew pubs in the Chicagoland area. The goal of the team was to work with the company in identifying uses for spent grain, a valuable by-product of the beer brewing process. The team evaluated business practices, logistics, costs, storage partnering, environmental impact, and practicality of each option. A catalogue was created describing business alternatives of spent grain, which so impressed the company that they shared it with the Chicago Brewers Association.
Presentation: http://tinyurl.com/6dl3ltq
IPRO 346 Harvesting and Beneficial Use of Condensate from AC Sytems
Sponsor: Penitair, Inc.
Faculty: Philip Lewis
The purpose of this project was to develop a comprehensive and practical solution toward sustainability in a very specialized area of water conservation. The harvesting of air conditioner condensate could potentially lead to the significant conservation of both water and monetary resources. The team successfully increased public awareness regarding the use of A/C condensate and was created a working scale model for presentations.
Presentation Link : http://tinyurl.com/4xzonb7
Faculty: Philip Lewis
The purpose of this project was to develop a comprehensive and practical solution toward sustainability in a very specialized area of water conservation. The harvesting of air conditioner condensate could potentially lead to the significant conservation of both water and monetary resources. The team successfully increased public awareness regarding the use of A/C condensate and was created a working scale model for presentations.
Presentation Link : http://tinyurl.com/4xzonb7
IPRO 347: Robbins Community Power
Sponsor: Robbins Community Power
Faculty: Blake Davis
Robbins Community Power Plant sought to develop a process by which wood could be obtained for its wood biomass power plant. Key aspects of the project were determining the availability of green wood and resolving the financial challenges in obtaining a sufficient amount of wood without having to harvest it. The team created a report outlining a method by which Robbins Community Power could obtain approximately 11,800 tons of the green fuel wood required for the operation of the wood biomass power plant, and potentially subsidize the purchase of additional wood fuel.
Presentation Link : http://tinyurl.com/3cqcjwf
Faculty: Blake Davis
Robbins Community Power Plant sought to develop a process by which wood could be obtained for its wood biomass power plant. Key aspects of the project were determining the availability of green wood and resolving the financial challenges in obtaining a sufficient amount of wood without having to harvest it. The team created a report outlining a method by which Robbins Community Power could obtain approximately 11,800 tons of the green fuel wood required for the operation of the wood biomass power plant, and potentially subsidize the purchase of additional wood fuel.
Presentation Link : http://tinyurl.com/3cqcjwf
IPRO 342: Technology & Market Assessment: Scrap Recycling Products
Sponsor: United Scrap Metal
Faculty: Will Maurer
United Scrap Metal, a major metal recycler in the Cicero, Illinois area aims to tap into the interest and enthusiasm among students for recycling and sustainability related issues. It seeks to expand by investigating potential ways yo recycle products and explore new possibilities of recycling. The team will start by focusing on insulated wires and assorted wood waste.
Faculty: Will Maurer
United Scrap Metal, a major metal recycler in the Cicero, Illinois area aims to tap into the interest and enthusiasm among students for recycling and sustainability related issues. It seeks to expand by investigating potential ways yo recycle products and explore new possibilities of recycling. The team will start by focusing on insulated wires and assorted wood waste.
IPRO 365: Simply Park - Innovative Solutions to Enhance Driver Experience
Sponsor: Student-Developed IPRO Project
Faculty: Blake Davis
For drivers in urban areas, parking can be problematic. Time spent searching for a parking space can take longer than time spent at a destination. The project aimed to improve the efficiency of parking systems by dynamically informing the driver of vacant spots, improving the driver experience, and improving the overall parking system. The team also developed a viable pricing model as a key part of the comprehensive business plan to attract sponsorship from interested parties.
Faculty: Blake Davis
For drivers in urban areas, parking can be problematic. Time spent searching for a parking space can take longer than time spent at a destination. The project aimed to improve the efficiency of parking systems by dynamically informing the driver of vacant spots, improving the driver experience, and improving the overall parking system. The team also developed a viable pricing model as a key part of the comprehensive business plan to attract sponsorship from interested parties.
Last modified: 05/01/2012 14:11:13