Automation in manufacturing here to stay

ELDORA — Loran Balvanz, president and CEO of Eldora based USM Wear Technologies, discussed the development tillage wear testing equipment and other robotic applications used locally in manufacturing the Caden Edge tillage sweeps, ripper points and biomass grinder parts at Iowa State University’s recent “Automation in Manufacturing” conference sponsored by the Center for Industrial Research and Service at the Gateway Hotel in Ames.

USM Wear Technologies LLC based in Eldora has used robotics efficiently to manufacture proprietary Caden Edge applications for cultivator sweeps, ripper points and other tillage equipment. The process extends equipment life, reduces the down-time for equipment repairs when the tillage blades wear out and maintain the soil tilth.

ISU is currently establishing a tillage testing center to use the proprietary testing equipment in an Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering for research projects to study the performance of the tillage equipment.

“The farmer’s bottom line is, how to save money while improving seed bed preparation, so these life and effectiveness of tillage equipment are among factors that farmers will think about during tight times in the agricultural economy,” said Balvanz.

The ISU project will provide standardized wear testing protocol and provide independent third-party validation of the potential impacts of the Caden Edge technology applications and provide comparisons with untreated tillage tools under controlled and repeatable measurement conditions.

The ISU project is being led by Dr. Mehari Tekeste of the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department.

Miller joins UnityPoint Health & Family Medicine Marshalltown Clinic

Certified Physician’s Assistant, Maemie Miller has joined the UnityPoint Health – Family Medicine in the downtown Marshalltown clinic located at 405 E. Main St.

Miller completed her undergraduate work at the University of Northern Iowa and her Masters of Physician Assistant Studies at St. Ambrose University in Davenport. Miller is a member of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Hartman joins Best Western Regency

Paulla Hartman is the new Sales Coordinator at the Best Western Regency Inn. Hartman comes to the hotel with a vast background of outside sales and customer service. She is a native of Marshalltown and has a degree from Marshalltown Community College.

Hartman is very community-minded and is looking forward to partnering with local resources to bring conventions and events into Marshalltown. In her new position she will be responsible for meeting room and guest room sales, event and banquet planning. She is very excited about the opportunities that this position will bring to her and the expertise and experience that she can bring to the hotel.

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