University of Northern Iowa Metal Casting Center

UNI is looking for a Chief Applied Engineering Administrator for the Department of Applied Engineering and Technical Management. We are seeking an energetic, strategic thinker to build the applied engineering program and develop a culture of innovation, while maintaining exceptionally close collaborations with local and regional industry partners. Educational requirements include a Master’s degree and at least five years of leadership experience in a university or commensurate industry management experience.

Chief Applied Engineering Administrator | Chief Applied Engineering Administrator Chief Applied Engineering Administrator Position Description About UNI/Cedar Falls/Waterloo College of Humanities, Arts & Sciences Come join a dynamic and dedicated team that cares about students and each other, and where your ideas are welcomed.  The University of Northern Iowa is proud of its his...

How Gen Z Is Becoming the Toolbelt Generation More young workers are going into trades as disenchantment with the college track continues, and rising pay and new technologies shine up plumbing and electrical jobs.

Read this statement from Jerry Thiel, Director of the Metal Casting Center and Foundry 4.0 Center, “After 32 years at the university, I decided to quit school. Not really, I will actually be retiring from the University of Northern Iowa as of August 30th, 2024. We are just finishing up a $2m renovation of the MCC foundry with a state of the art, sensor network, green sand molding line, automatic core blower, blast cabinet, bag unloading station, ladle preheater, powered overhead hoist, and investment casting preheat furnace. We'll retain our 500lbs induction melting furnace and a continuous mixer. I've really enjoyed my job, my staff and the students but it's time for an old dog to let the next generation take the reigns and I expect they will take the centers even higher than I ever could. If you are wondering, I will not be leaving the industry and look forward to working with more students, more companies, and more of the industry that has been so good for me. I am so looking forward to that next set of challenges and chapters in my career. If you interested in the position, check it out at jobs.uni.edu.”

Attending Foundry Education Foundation board meeting at Penn State university. I am so impressed on what they have accomplished.

Check out our new Robotic Education Series on YouTube!

Happy UNI Student Appreciation Week! Thank you for everything you do for us!

Thank you to all those who participated in our most recent Industrial Internet of Things Workshop! If were unable to attend, check out the workshop recordings on our YouTube page!

Fourteen years ago when the students used to cook for the local AFS chapter meetings. We all chose how we like to remember the past. This was the best of times. We'll have a big announcement in the next few weeks. Stay tuned.

Nine years ago the center was asked to print letters for the Ted Talk series with then new 3D sand printer. Just one of the thousand memories.

On March 5, 2024, staff members and student employees from the Foundry 4.0 & Metal Casting Center attended UNI Day at the Capitol. It was a great day to speak with legislators, stakeholders, and guests on how we are impacting the industry.

The team at UNI's Metal Casting and Foundry Center are instrumental in bridging the span between education and industry. I have enjoyed working with this group for many years with the hope of continuing our partnership to improve Iowa's industrial landscape.

Looking for a summer 2024 internship? We are hiring! To apply, visit Jobs@UNI.

If you are a new user, please create an account. Select "Temporary - Lab Assistant" for the position title.

Please help us welcome Nicholas Costleigh!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT! Meet Nick!

UNI’s Bryant receives Technical Achievement Award from the American Foundry Society MILWAUKEE – Nathaniel Bryant, assistant project manager of the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Metal Casting Center and Foundry 4.0 Centers, was selected by the Additive Manufacturing Division of the American Foundry Society (AFS) Technical Council as the winner of the 2024 Technical Achievement...

Our Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) workshop series launches in TWO WEEKS! We hope to see you there!

February 6, 2024, NOON–12:50 p.m.: Introduction to IIoT and Commonly Used Hardware Platform
February 13, 2024, NOON-12:50 p.m.: IoT Wireless Communication Overview
February 20, 2024, NOON-12:50 p.m.: Introduction to Python Programming
February 27, 2024, NOON-12:50 p.m.: Commonly used Sensors and Sensor Interface
March 5, 2024, NOON-12:50 p.m.: Implementation of a Flash Web Server for a simple IoT Applications
March 12, 2024, NOON-12:50 p.m.: Publish/Subscribe Protocol MQTT Implementation for IoT Applications
March 19, 2024, NOON-12:50 p.m.: Utilization of a Database in Cloud for IoT Applications
March 26, 2024, NOON-12:50 p.m.: Integration of Plotly Dash for Data Visualization

Register for the series here:
https://bit.ly/IIOT-Registration

Join us for a new Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) workshop series.

February 6, 2024, NOON–12:50 p.m.: Introduction to IIoT and Commonly Used Hardware Platform
February 13, 2024, NOON-12:50 p.m.: IoT Wireless Communication Overview
February 20, 2024, NOON-12:50 p.m.: Introduction to Python Programming
February 27, 2024, NOON-12:50 p.m.: Commonly used Sensors and Sensor Interface
March 5, 2024, NOON-12:50 p.m.: Implementation of a Flash Web Server for a simple IoT Applications
March 12, 2024, NOON-12:50 p.m.: Publish/Subscribe Protocol MQTT Implementation for IoT Applications
March 19, 2024, NOON-12:50 p.m.: Utilization of a Database in Cloud for IoT Applications
March 26, 2024, NOON-12:50 p.m.: Integration of Plotly Dash for Data Visualization

Register for the series here:
https://bit.ly/IIOT-Registration

Jerry Thiel is the 2023 recipient of the Thomas E. Barlow Award of Honor from the Steel Founders’ Society of America (SFSA). Thiel was recognized with this honor during the 2023 National Technical & Operating (T&O) Conference which took place in Chicago.

The Barlow Award is one of SFSA’s three top honors and aims to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond the call to support the steel casting industry but are not eligible (an employee of a member company) for SFSA’s other awards.

Manufacturing Myth or Fact?

Source: https://www.nist.gov/mep/manufacturing-infographics/manufacturing-myths-debunked

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT! Meet Jacob!

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT!

Meet Grace, our Communications and Marketing Student Assistant!

Considering a career in manufacturing?
Here are some great reason to join this industry!

Source: National Institute of Standards and Technology

https://www.nist.gov/mep/manufacturing-infographics/why-you-should-consider-career-manufacturing

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT!

Meet Nathan, a Lab Assistant Lead!

Check out this fact!
The manufacturing industry in Iowa is rich in employment opportunities.

Source: National Association of Manufacturers
nam.org

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT!
Meet Jace, a student lab technician and design student lead!