SIFCO Applied Surface Concepts (ASC) has completed an extensive renovation of its research and development laboratory in Cleveland, Ohio, US.
Originally built in 1992, this is first major site renovation, designed to give research engineers a spacious, practical and durable facility in which to conduct vital research and development work.
On a typical day, the lab accommodates scientists, engineers, and technicians who work to develop SIFCO ASC’s fundamental knowledge through exploratory research and development, as well developing and implementing new technologies and providing direct support to customers and the company’s manufacturing teams.
Danijela Milosevic-Popovich, Research and Development Project Engineer, comments: “Much of what we do in the R&D lab requires creative thinking, experimentation and innovation; all things which are easier, more enjoyable and ultimately more successful in a modern, spacious and well-equipped laboratory.
Chic Allen, SIFCO ASC’s North American General Manager, states “The renovation will boost team morale and productivity will benefit considerably, which means our customers will reap the rewards of this considerable investment.”
Committed to employee wellbeing and maintaining workspaces which reflect its innovative, state-of-the-art products and services, SIFCO ASC identified the need for a complete modernisation within the R&D department, which included durable, easy to clean flooring, new cabinets, equipment and facilities and a new ceiling with improved lighting throughout the lab.
Danijela concludes: “Work has recommenced in the new lab with a number of customer-specific projects which require considerable innovation and creativity from our R&D engineering team. We are also busy characterizing our existing product offering through depletion testing while continuing to build our knowledge base on coatings like matrix composite plating.”