Dukane Corporation donated a pneumatic ultrasonic welder and loaned a servo-actuator controlled ultrasonic welding system to David Grewell’s bioplastics research group. The new equipment will be used to study various control algorithms for cutting polylactic acid (PLA) films. They were installed in the Bioplastics Characterization Lab, part of the suite of research labs operated by the Center for Crops Utilization Research (CCUR).
“The donation will enhance learning outcomes in laboratory exercises as well as give students a one of a kind, hands-on experience. In addition, the research with the servo system will allow us to develop fundamental knowledge on ultrasonic cutting,” said Grewell.
Dukane also delivered a 30 kHz handheld ultrasonic welding system to the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering’s Technology Systems Management teaching laboratories.
Grewell is an associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering and CCUR affiliate. His bioplastics research group focuses on formulating, processing, testing, characterizing, and joining bioplastics. He also chairs the Biopolymers and Biocomposites Research Team, a CCUR research program.
Dukane is a global provider of plastic welders for welding thermoplastic materials.
Courtesy of Iowa State University:
http://www.ccur.iastate.edu/news/newsletters/2012/jan_feb/equipmentdonation.html
