The Challenge
Glas-Col, a Terre Haute company founded in 1939 and a world leader in manufacturer of laboratory products and industrial heating and mixing technology, asked Rose-Hulman Ventures to update the electronics in their digital pulse mixer with evaporator/concentrator. The product achieves specific concentration levels of solvents through rapid evaporation. Glas-Col needed to make the product less expensive, more effective and expandable for the future.

“RHV became an extension of the Glas-Col’s research and development arm, using state-of-the-art resources to create innovative solutions,” project manager Brian Dougherty said. “We provided additional technical resources and engineering expertise necessary for complex design and testing work, and partnering with us enabled them to continue developing the new products and services necessary to stay competitive.”

The end result offered a significant physical departure from the original product, along with a dramatic reduction in cost. The new technology is designed to last longer, and is better suited for working in an environment filled with solvent fumes.

There was also a change in philosophy. The original product had its own unique control system, while the new system was designed to be modular so it could be used in a number of product lines. The digital format is now used on many other products sold by Glas-Col.
 
The Result
“The control technology that was developed and tested at Rose-Hulman Ventures is a key to our mixing products,” Jim Jacso, Glas-Col Marketing Director, said. “We are a step ahead of our competitors because of the work done at Ventures.”

Glas-Col’s partnership with Rose-Hulman Ventures began in 2004, with the initial project lasting about a year. Since then other teams of students have continued to work on various projects for Glas-Col.

Some of the technology created at RHV was exhibited at the 2005 and 2006 Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy (PITTCON). An annual conference and exposition devoted to laboratory science, PITTCON draws over 20,000 attendees and offers a great deal of industry exposure.

The Students
Matthew Fike, a 2005 Rose-Hulman graduate in computer engineering from Auburn, Ind., speaks highly of his internship at RHV and work on the Glas-Col team. Fike’s main duties were embedded software programming and prototype circuit debugging. He also examined new circuit boards to identify flaws and worked to develop solutions for those errors.

“I have an advantage over my peers because of my experiences at RHV. When I need a prototype made or altered, I can go out to the lab and use the tools myself,” he explained.

Fike now works for Caterpillar Inc. in Peoria, Ill., where he designs electronics for heavy machinery.

Eric Fenelon, a 2006 Rose-Hulman graduate in electrical engineering from Chesterton, Ind., was also a part of the Glas-Col team. He worked on circuit board layout and operation, helping develop a three board design consisting of a controller board, a motor board and a heater board.

Fenelon is working at Northrop Grumman, a global defense company headquartered in Los Angeles. He knows firsthand just how valuable experience is when it comes to starting a career.

“Working at RHV on the Glas-Col team gave me an advantage,” Fenelon said. “I was able to work on different aspects of the project, all of which had different problems and required different solutions. I gained knowledge from each that I can use in my career.”

For more information about Glas-Col, visit http://www.glascol.com/.