Dennis Craun.:Manufacturing Industrial Engineer & System Network Administrator

Education: AAS Design & Drafting from Hawkeye Community College (1996), AAS Network Administration Concentration from Hamilton College and BS Manufacturing Technology from the University of Northern Iowa

Dennis is a Manufacturing Industrial Engineer working in process development and product and machine design.  He is also the network admnistrator, managing and supporting CAD and all other software applications.

Background

After 6 years in the Marine Corps he managed a restaurant while attending school. Then, worked at IBP (now Tyson) as a machine operator and as a designer for Hobson Mould Works, specializing in the automotive industry components. Dennis also worked at Top Air, setting up networks for the Engineer Department and training employees on Pro/Engineer and CAD software. He gained experience improving existing products, making prototypes, drawing and setting up production lines.

Over his career, Craun has worked on a number of projects and technical investigations. The following list illustrates the wide variety of projects that Dennis has worked on:

• Laser Paint Aid Device- Lead Designer
  • Documented engineering processes for manufacturing an electro-mechanical device that contained a class 3A laser diode module
  • Determined optimum manufacturing methods and materials
  • Used experiments, cost analysis, availability of materials, reliability and repeatability of process methods to optimize cost and performance
  • Developed process documentation for manufacturing methods
  • Developed all required drawings
  • Built and tested a functional prototype
     
• GPS System
  • Prepared proposal and estimated cost for field testing and trial fitting of prototype mechanical devices on off road vehicles
  • Specified, and purchased all items need for field testing and trial fitting
  • Collected field measurements from a large number of existing vehicles to determine range of design parameters
     
• Alternative Energy System- Group leader
  • Research and design of a hybrid system to create electrical power using alternative energy resources
  • Coordinated efforts between the University of Northern Iowa and the Blackhawk County Conservation Board
     
• Global Team Projects
  • Worked on international (US and France) design team to develop a line of self propelled windrowers
  • Assisted engineers with CAD Software issues
  • Assisted with Design for Manufacturability and Design for Assembly
  • Converted older drawings into CAD format
  • Updated standard tolerancing to use Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
     
• Parts Procurement
  • Ordered parts for building prototype transmissions
  • Expedited part orders and resolved issues
     
• Network Administration
  • Administers all hardware and software activities to support company operations
  • Prepares plans and budgets
  • Works with outside consultants as needed
     
• CAD Drafting- Pro/Engineer
  • Conversion of drawings for large rectangular baler
  • Product drawings for grain handling wagons
  • Design of tools for mold manufacturer
     
• Manufacturing Process Revision
  • Review manufacturing process for a company supplying parts to a large goverment contractor to assist in their meeting NADCAP certification
  • Review of NADCAP requirements
  • Planned changes to stamping, forming and coating processes to meet NADCAP requirements
     

Additional Information

Dennis enjoys singing, the outdoors, and camping with his family.