By Josh Hoff, Electrical Apparatus Magazine
Original article:
Bringing the customer closer to the design process
Janis Terpenny, department chair of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering at Iowa State University’s College of Engineering, is a driving force behind the College of Engineering’s role as a tier 1 partner in the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute, or DMDII.
DMDII, a $320 million enterprise, was created by University Industry Labs, a Chicago-based research and commercialization collaborative, with support from a $70 million grant from the U.S. Dept. of Defense.
“It is focused on supporting the nation’s productivity with respect to digital manufacturing and design, research, and education,” explained Terpenny.
DMDII focuses on three technology areas: advanced manufacturing enterprise, advanced analysis, and intelligent machines.
One of the objectives is to bring the customer closer to the design process and to accelerate the flow of information through the factory, without compromising accuracy.
Terpenny credits the talent of the individuals on the team representing Iowa State – along with the engagement that the university has to offer – as chief reasons for the invitation to participate.
“The winning team was the Chicago-based team,” said Terpenny. “We are part of that team.”