Kansas State University’s Technology Development Institute is collaborating with Hillsboro Industries, a top Kansas-based manufacturing company, to design and fabricate custom machinery. Hillsboro Industries, a leading manufacturer of trailers and truck beds, is known for its use of double-wall aluminum extrusions that increase durability and quality. TDI examined the fabrication process to identify areas of improvement that could maintain quality, accelerate production, and reduce maintenance. The team modeled the concepts in a computer-aided design program, which was reviewed by Hillsboro to highlight design modifications. The Technology Development Institute designed, fabricated, and tested a custom piece of equipment at the K-State facility. When the machine met all performance criteria, Hillsboro Industries incorporated it into their production line. As a U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration University Center, Kansas State University’s Technology Development Institute offers a range of engineering and business development services to private industry and university researchers to advance the commercial readiness of new products or technologies.
Kansas State University Helps Hillsboro Industries Produce High-Quality Trailers with Custom Machinery
Kansas State University’s Technology Development Institute (TDI) is collaborating with Hillsboro Industries, a top Kansas-based manufacturing company, to design and fabricate custom machinery. The purpose of this machinery is to enhance the production of high-quality trailers for the livestock industry.
Hillsboro Industries is a leading manufacturer of trailers and truck beds, known for its use of double-wall aluminum extrusions that increase durability and quality. To ensure that this standard of quality is maintained, Hillsboro enlisted the help of TDI to investigate alternative options for preparing the mating surfaces of the aluminum extrusions for the bonding process.
TDI examined the fabrication process to identify areas of improvement that could maintain quality, accelerate production, and reduce maintenance. The team modeled the concepts in a computer-aided design program, which was reviewed by Hillsboro to highlight design modifications.
Subsequently, the Technology Development Institute designed, fabricated, and tested a custom piece of equipment at the K-State facility. When the machine met all performance criteria, Hillsboro Industries incorporated it into their production line.
John Bloomfield, TDI engineering director, praised the collaboration and Hillsboro’s dedication to producing high-quality products, saying, “We are excited to see the machine being put to use immediately and are confident that the end results of the machine will be positive for both Hillsboro and its future customers.”
As a U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration University Center, Kansas State University’s Technology Development Institute offers a range of engineering and business development services to private industry and university researchers to advance the commercial readiness of new products or technologies.
To learn more about TDI, visit k-state.edu/tdi.
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