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Toll-free (877) 251-6520
(515) 294-3045
iprtinfo@iastate.edu

Institute for Physical
Research and Technology

Iowa State University
2156 Gilman Hall
Ames, IA 50011-3110

IPRT Company Assistance Success Story

Materials Solutions On Call

As a company that manufactures concrete anchors, specialty masonry fasteners, and other items, Diversified Fastening Systems, Inc., demands the highest quality in its products. The Charles City, Iowa, company has come to IPRT Company Assistance on several occasions, tapping the expertise of its materials group to resolve issues to help maintain high product quality.

“IPRT has access to the best technology and to some of the most knowledgeable people in several fields,” says Darrel Parmer, a purchasing manager who handles technical issues for the company.

Paul Berge, program manager of IPRT’s materials group, says he’s helped the company on problems with materials used in the company’s products as well as in tooling in its manufacturing processes.

In one project, Berge helped the company discover why a concrete anchor wasn’t passing a quality test. Upon examining them thoroughly, Berge determined that the anchors had a pitted surfacerather than a smooth one, leading him to conclude that the parts probably spent too much time in a “pickling” solution before being plated with zinc.

“The assistance was thorough, professional, and prompt,” Parmer reports. “We saved money by pinpointing the cause of the problem. We were able to get an all-inclusive answer covering several areas, including metallurgy and engineering.”IPRT works for Iowa

Quick Look

Metallurgists from IPRT's maerials group help Diversified Fastening Systems, Inc. of Charles City, Iowa, with several materials issues related to product quality.

 

Diversified Fastening Systems, Inc. came to IPRT Company Assistance to help determine why a concrete anchor wasn’t passing a quality test. Paul Berge, program manager of IPRT’s materials group, closely
examined both good anchors (top) and bad ones (bottom) and came to the conclusion that the parts were not properly processed by the company’s supplier.

"We saved money by pinpointing the cause of the problem. We were able to get an all-inclusive answer covering several areas, including metallurgy and engineering"

Darrel Parmer, purchasing manager, Diversified Fastening Systems, Inc.

Contact Us

For more information on how IPRT can help your company solve its materials problems, please contact:

Paul Berge
Program Manager
pmberge@iastate.edu
515-294-5972
Toll Free: 800-884-8548
(see bio)

 

Institute for Physical
Research and Technology
Materials Group
111 Metals Development
Ames, IA 50011