Workshop 6: Automation at Work: How Robotics Are Transforming Modern Manufacturing

Explore how robots and automated systems are reshaping assembly, quality, material handling, and packaging. This workshop highlights practical applications that improve consistency, enhance safety, and boost overall productivity.

Dan Colvin, VP of Robotics and Digital Solutions at ESAB Welding and Cutting, will present “Automation Increases Productivity — Data-Driven Analytics Proves It.” Colvin will explain how connected systems, data analytics, and QA/QC software allow manufacturers to make decisions based on real performance data rather than assumptions. Using case studies — including an agricultural equipment manufacturer that gained 500 production hours per month after identifying welding bottlenecks — the session demonstrates how low-cost software tools can maximize automation investments and improve productivity, efficiency, and quality.

Jason Dornbos, Sales Manager at Extol Inc., will present “Automation at Work: How Automation and Plastic Welding Technologies Are Transforming Modern Manufacturing.” This session highlights practical strategies for improving quality and productivity through automation and advanced plastic welding technologies, while also showing how modern welding solutions can reduce costs and expand product design possibilities.

Shane LeCroix, Solutions Engineer at Phillips Corp., will present “Why Robots Now.” The presentation explores the rapidly evolving role of robotics in manufacturing and helps attendees evaluate when and how to deploy robots in assembly operations. Covering topics from foundational concepts to ethical considerations, the session is designed for manufacturers considering robotic implementation and looking to understand both practical and strategic implications.

Brian Romano, Director of Technology Development at The Arthur G. Russell Company Inc., will present “Uncovering Hidden Insights: The Power of Soft Sensors in Industrial Systems.” Romano will demonstrate how virtual sensors created through software algorithms can extract valuable insights from existing equipment data. Attendees will learn how to leverage sensor data, enhance control logic, and apply statistical modeling to improve machine performance visibility, productivity, and predictive maintenance.

John Sprovieri, Editor-in-Chief of ASSEMBLY Magazine, will present “Introduction to Robotic Screwdriving.” This session explains the benefits of robotic screwdriving — including higher throughput, improved quality, and lower labor costs — while outlining key considerations such as cost justification, robot and product design, and best practices for successful implementation.