Capstone Design

Mary Greeley Medical Center (MGMC)

This team worked on a project for Mary Greeley Medical Center (MGMC) to fix identified shortcomings in the emergency medical services department. The primary objective was to improve the quality of patient care provided by EMS through an improved logistical structure.

Broadlawns Medical Corporation

This team worked on a project for Broadlawns Medical Corporation used process mapping, simulation, and ergonomics to improve the patient experience. The primary objective was to optimize space usage and patient flow for the registration process.

Manufacturing Factory Layout +

Flexsteel

This team worked on a project for Flexsteel to improve the flow of their cellular layout job shop through a new plant layout. The primary objectives were to reduce non-value added activities and inventory. This was achieved through a new layout and optimized batch sizes.

Expander

This team worked on a project for Expander to improve their workflow and operations. Their primary objectives were to reduce material distance traveled and improve flow to meet future production needs.

Hormel

This team worked with Hormel using simulation and optimization to identify reduce oven workstations. The primary objective was to reduce the number of gas smokehouses for deli meat and ham production.

Nestlé Purina

This team worked on a project for Nestlé Purina using simulation to compare design alternatives. Their primary objectives were to reduce operational stoppages in the treats department.

Winnebago

This team worked with Winnebago to reduce waste through spaghetti diagrams and work sampling studies. The primary objective was to reduce the need for additional labor and standard hours in the sawmill department.

Rada Manufacturing

This team worked with Rada to improve their material handling process and bottleneck operations. The primary objective was to create floorspace in the current facility to make room for new incoming operations.

Dyersville Die Cast

This team worked with Dyersville Die Cast on an ergonomics and safety improvement in their job shop. The primary objective was to improve temperature and air quality conditions and improve their safety audit capability.

General Mills

This team worked with General Mills using ergonomic tools to assess the work environment for operators in an operation with potential long-term safety concerns. The primary objective was to improve the ergonomic conditions for cleaning extrusion machine lids on a pet food line.

Each Sponsor will have three documents requiring signatures for the semester course. The University provided documents must be used; no alternative forms or modifications to the provided documents will be accepted.

Sponsor Acknowledgement Form: Required from the Sponsor prior to the start of the semester outlining agreement and specifics of the project scope to be returned to Capstone instructor. Additional pages may be attached to outline scope, as necessary.

Non-Disclosure Agreement: One document per student group assigned to the project outlining Confidential Information expectations to be signed by each student in the project group, instructor, and Sponsor. Students will bring these documents with them to their initial company visit for signature to be returned to the University for additional signature by the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS).

Special Intellectual Property Agreement: One document per student assigned to the project outlining Intellectual Property expectations to be signed by student, instructor, and Sponsor. Students will bring these documents with them to their initial company visit for signature to be returned to the University.

View a Copy of Iowa State University Required Forms (IP, NDA, Sponsor Acknowledgement)

Current Fee Per Project: $5,000.00

Project fees support the student projects covering expenses associated with travel to and from the Sponsor location throughout the semester, in addition to administrative activities associated with the IE4410 Capstone Design course, such as poster printing, software and lab use, capstone competition, and conference fees. A member of the University will reach out to the Sponsor for additional information, as required. All expenses relating to the execution of the project, such as material to construct a deliverable or labor to modify a layout, should be provided by the Sponsor. As this is a fee-for-service project, the fee is not a tax-deductible expense.

Student teams should be in contact with the Sponsors on a weekly basis throughout the semester through on-site visits or virtual communication. We appreciate Sponsors’ support in scheduling sessions and providing necessary information timely to ensure projects progress appropriately throughout the semester. Please reach out to the course instructor listed on the Sponsor Acknowledgement Form should any concerns arise.

There are three required face-to-face visits during the semester that will take place at the Sponsor’s location or the University as outlined below, and ensure these sessions are supported.

Initial Company Visit: Week 2

• Location: Sponsor’s location
• Attendees: All students assigned to project, key contacts at Sponsor o
• Agenda: Meet groups and outline problem statement

Current State Analysis Presentation: Week 8

• Location: Sponsor’s location
• Attendees: All students assigned to project, key contacts at Sponsor, course instructor or teaching assistant
• Agenda: Review findings from data collection and confirm next steps for project execution (Presentation graded by Sponsor attendees and instructor)

Final Presentation: Week 15 (Friday)

• Location: Iowa State University, Ames
• Attendees: All students, Sponsors, course instructor or teaching assistant
• Agenda: Review outcome of projects.
  • Sponsor Luncheon 11:00-12:00
  • Poster Session 12:00-1:00 (Open to Public)
  • Final Presentation 10:00-11:00 or 1:00-2:00 (Presentation graded by Sponsor attendees)

NOTE: As part of the final presentation, all Sponsor’s must complete a Value Statement outlining the Economic Savings, Expected Up Front Investment, and Percent of Recommendations to be Implemented.

Student teams are required to produce standard deliverables in accordance with the 15-week semester timeline in addition to project specific deliverables. Standard deliverables build throughout the semester to the Final Report; these deliverables with approximate timelines are outlined below:

Proposal (Week 4):

Report outlining the problem statement and specific project deliverables aligned with the Sponsor’s expectation.

Current State Analysis (Week 8):

Report summarizing conclusions from data collection and detailing next steps. Includes oral presentation at Sponsor location.

Future State Design (Week 12):

Report outlining the final design to be implemented and overall economic impact of the optimal design, as selected by Sponsor.

Final Project (Week 15):

Report compiling all activities associated with the project and summarizing next steps for future improvements at the Sponsor. Includes oral/poster presentation, and brief summary video. For video examples, visit Iowa State IMSE Capstone Design on YouTube.

Final Sponsor Deliverables (Week 15):

Final deliverables will vary by project but should be agreed and modified as required with support from the Sponsor. The latest deliverables should also be outlined in each project report and presentation. These deliverables must be practically achievable within the 15-week semester timeline. Examples of prior Sponsor specific deliverables from prior projects include, but are not limited to: plant layout CAD files, analyzed options for scheduling product line shifts, physical prototypes of fixtures, shadow boards, written work instructions, visual management pilot boards, optimal plant locations for a global supply chain, ergonomic evaluations, or proposals for a new machine to be installed in a facility.