MAX Agenda & Programming

Workshop 1: Smarter, Safer: Modernizing Manufacturing Safety with AI & Wearable Tech

Discover how AI-driven compliance tools and next-generation wearables are transforming safety programs on the factory floor. This workshop explores real-time monitoring, smart sensors, and emerging OSHA-aligned technologies that help manufacturers prevent injuries before they happen.

Brock Anderson, CEO & Founder of ergo-ology, will present “8 Pillars of a Holistic Industrial Ergonomics Program with Case Studies.” The session demonstrates how ergonomics programs must align with an organization’s culture, operations, and workforce needs. Drawing on real-world examples, Anderson will outline three approaches for launching programs and introduce eight foundational pillars organizations can use to identify gaps, reinforce strengths, reduce risk, and improve performance.

David Buckles, Training & Education Manager at Tennessee OSHA, will present “OSHA Inspections.” This session will prepare attendees for what to expect during an OSHA inspection and, time permitting, will also cover the most frequently cited violations in the manufacturing industry.

Mike Goetsch, DC Head of Product at Soter, will present “AI Promises Efficiency, But Can It Actually Deliver ROI for EHS Teams?” This session moves beyond theory to examine real-world applications of AI in safety, risk, and compliance programs. Attendees will learn how organizations are using AI to reduce incidents, identify hazards earlier, and improve inspection and reporting consistency, while also driving measurable business outcomes such as insurance savings, reduced manual labor, improved compliance visibility, and lower regulatory exposure.

Perry Logan, EHS Leader at the National Safety Council, will present “Exposing the TRIR Trap: Why Low Injury Rates Don’t Equal Safety.” This session challenges reliance on traditional safety metrics and examines how focusing on TRIR can mask exposure to serious injury and fatality risks. Using emerging standards and frameworks, including the ASTM E-2920 SIF Prevention Standard, participants will learn practical strategies to identify high-energy hazards, align leadership priorities, and implement measurable, sustainable fatality prevention systems.

Kevin Reinhart, Risk Management Consultant at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, will lead “Lean into Safety: Integrating EHS in Lean Manufacturing.” The session explores how lean manufacturing principles can be applied beyond production efficiency to improve safety and environmental performance. Participants will take part in a virtual Gemba Walk across a production floor, identifying the eight wastes as they relate to safety and environmental risk reduction.

Brock Anderson

CEO & Founder

Ergo-ology, Inc.

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David Buckles

Training & Education Manager

Tennessee OSHA/Nashville

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Mike Goetsch

DC, Head of Product

Soter

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Perry Logan

EHS Leader

National Safety Council

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Kevin Reinhart

Consultant

Nationwide Insurance

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Workshop 2: Quality at the Core: Enable Competitive Manufacturing with Better Measurements

Accurate and reliable measurements are the foundation of quality manufacturing, yet misunderstandings about calibration and equipment capability continue to undermine measurement confidence across industries. Many quality-related issues stem from not understanding the accuracy needs of your equipment, not having appropriate calibrations, or using an inappropriate calibration vendor, and/or making insufficient calibration requests.

This interactive tutorial includes plain-language explanations and hands-on exercises to build practical knowledge in three key areas: Dispelling common myths and misnomers about calibration, determining the accuracy needs of their measuring and testing equipment and finding appropriate and competent calibration vendors; and making effective calibration requests to calibration providers to ensure calibration results meet manufacturing and quality requirements the first time. Participants will leave with knowledge and practical skills and tools they can immediately apply to strengthen their measurement processes and reduce manufacturing risks.

Learning Objectives: After attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Dispel common myths about calibration, including misconceptions about calibration vs. verification, calibration vs. adjustment, “NIST-traceability,” and “ISO 17025-certification”.
2. Determine the accuracy needs of your measuring and testing equipment and find appropriate and competent calibration vendors.
3. Make effective calibration requests so you get the calibration you need.

Heather Wade

President

Heather Wade Group

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Workshop 3: AI at Work: Using Digital Tools to Troubleshoot, Optimize & Accelerate Production

Learn how modern AI and digital systems identify bottlenecks, flag underperforming KPIs, and streamline operations on the factory floor. This workshop focuses on practical, real-world applications—not theory—to help teams boost throughput and reduce downtime.

Sainyam “Sam” Arora, QA & Systems Engineer at Johnson Matthey, will present “Connecting Legacy Systems to Smart Factories.” Arora offers a practical roadmap for integrating manual, spreadsheet-driven quality systems with emerging digital tools. Rather than replacing existing systems, this interoperability approach strengthens ISO-based workflows and builds a connected continuous improvement loop that enhances operational and quality visibility.

Bryan Bauw, COO of PICO, will present “From Standard Work to Smarter Decisions: Making AI Actually Work on the Factory Floor.” Bauw separates AI hype from practical implementation by demonstrating how data readiness enables real value in manufacturing. He will outline a roadmap that takes assembly manufacturers from standard work and operator enablement to error-proofing and data collection, ultimately supporting stronger decision-making and continuous improvement, with AI tools accelerating each stage of the journey.

Ethan Hicks, Account Executive at Practical Software Solutions, will present “AI + ERP: The Future of Predictive Enterprise Operations.” Hicks will demonstrate how ERP platforms are evolving with embedded AI capabilities that enable manufacturers to anticipate supply chain disruptions, optimize planning, and improve operational responsiveness. Through real-world examples, attendees will learn how next-generation ERP tools such as Sage X3 support proactive decision-making.

Jessica Morrison, VP of Strategic Partnerships and Growth at Golgix, will present “Human-Centric Predictive Intelligence.” Morrison explains why successful AI adoption on the plant floor requires systems designed around operators instead of dashboards. Using cross-industry case studies, she shows how AI can structure messy data, provide contextual guidance, and deliver predictive insights that improve yield, uptime, constraint detection, and loss elimination.

Dilip Shah, President of E=mc3 Solutions, will present “AI-Driven Quality & Auditing.” The session explores how machine learning and advanced analytics are transforming reactive, checklist-based audits into predictive systems that improve defect detection, strengthen compliance, enhance traceability, and reduce costly downtime, while also addressing the ethical considerations required for responsible AI implementation.

Sainyam Arora

Quality Assurance & Systems Engineer

Johnson Matthey

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Bryan Bauw

COO

Pico

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Ethan Hicks

Account Executive

Practical Software Solutions

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Jessica Morrison

VP of Strategic Partnerships and Growth

Golgix

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Dilip Shah

President

E=mc3 Solutions

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TOUR of Nissan Plant – Smyrna, TN

– SOLD OUT – Go behind the scenes at one of North America’s most productive automotive facilities with a guided tour of Nissan’s Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant. Offered on Tuesday, March 24 and Thursday, March 26, this experience provides a firsthand look at large-scale vehicle manufacturing, advanced automation, and quality-driven production processes. Guests will tour the expansive Smyrna campus, home to cutting-edge assembly operations and thousands of skilled team members. Complimentary transportation will be provided to and from the Music City Center. Capacity is limited and reservations are required. $55 registration fee applies.

LG Tennessee Lighthouse Factory Tour

Step inside the future of manufacturing with an exclusive LG Tennessee Lighthouse Factory Tour. This invite-only experience offers rare access to LG’s most advanced manufacturing facility in Clarksville, showcasing cutting-edge automation, digital innovation, and operational excellence in action. Enjoy VIP hospitality including complimentary round-trip transportation from the Music City Center, a guided factory tour, a networking lunch with fellow industry leaders, and a commemorative gift. Offered on March 24 or March 26, this standalone program is ideal for manufacturing professionals seeking real-world insight into next-generation production. Capacity is limited and advance approval is required. Request to join here

Workshop 4: Engineering Sustainability: Next-Generation Adhesive, Coating, and Packaging Technologies

Explore the breakthroughs reshaping modern production—from precision adhesive-dispensing systems and emerging de-bond-on-demand methods to rapid UV/EB curing innovations and the newest advances in chemical recycling and de-polymerization. This session highlights how these disruptive technologies are driving efficiency, enabling design freedom, and supporting a more circular manufacturing economy.

Michael Bonner, Vice President of Engineering & Technology at Saint Clair Systems Inc., will present “UV/EB: An Enabling Technology for Advanced Air Mobility Manufacturing.” Bonner will introduce the emerging Advanced Air Mobility sector—sometimes called the Low Atmosphere Economy—and explain how it differs from traditional aerospace manufacturing. The session will examine how the industry’s unique requirements, combining aviation safety, EV lightweighting, and automotive-scale production, are driving new manufacturing approaches and why energy-curable coating technologies are well suited to meet these demands.

Dwight Carlson, Chairman & CEO of Coherix Inc., will present “Next-Generation Adhesive Inspection: AI, 3D Vision, and Machine Learning in High-Speed Manufacturing.” This session explores how artificial intelligence, 3D computer vision, and machine learning are transforming adhesive dispensing and inspection across automotive, medical equipment, and consumer electronics assembly lines. Carlson will demonstrate how software-managed systems automatically adjust adhesive application without slowing production, achieving near-zero defect rates while reducing costs and improving quality. The session is especially relevant for manufacturing, automation, process-control, operations, and quality-control professionals.

Joseph Grefke, Sales Director at AlliedUV, will present “Energy-Efficient Industrial Coatings: Advancing Sustainable Manufacturing with Next-Generation UV Technologies.” Grefke will discuss innovations in UV-curable and energy-efficient coating systems that reduce emissions, lower energy consumption, and improve throughput while maintaining durability and performance. He will also address viscosity control, curing efficiency, and process optimization techniques that help manufacturers minimize waste, improve consistency, and meet evolving environmental regulations.

Michel Mies, Director of Product Development at Tesa, will present “Next-Generation Sustainable Adhesive and Bonding Technologies.” Mies will explore how advanced adhesive solutions support sustainability goals while improving production performance. The session will highlight recyclable and low-impact bonding materials, waste-reducing application methods, and technologies that enable lightweight design and circular-economy initiatives without compromising quality or throughput.

Adam Peer, Senior Director of Plastics Sustainability at the American Chemistry Council, will present “Packaging Sustainability Policy and Regulatory Developments.” Peer will review the rapidly evolving legislative landscape surrounding packaging sustainability, including extended producer responsibility frameworks, recyclability standards, and reporting requirements affecting U.S. manufacturers. Attendees will learn practical strategies to remain compliant while advancing sustainability initiatives, along with opportunities for collaboration among industry, policymakers, and manufacturers to support scalable circular packaging solutions.

Michael Bonner

Vice President - Engineering & Technology

Saint Clair Systems Inc.

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Dwight Carlson

Chairman & CEO

Coherix Inc.

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Joseph Grefke

Sales Director

Allied UV

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Michel Mies

Director Product Development

Tesa

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Adam Peer

Senior Director, Plastics Sustainability

American Chemistry Council

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Workshop 5: AI-Powered Mixed Model Line Design: From Spreadsheet to Simple Digital Twin

High-mix, low-volume manufacturing has always demanded careful line design: stable takt, robust routings, and flexible staffing are what keep variety from turning into chaos. But most plants are still making multimillion-dollar automation and staffing decisions from static spreadsheets and slide decks.

This hands-on workshop shows how to turn a conventional Mixed Model line design into a simple digital twin and then layer practical AI tools on top—without a data science team or a multi-year IT project. We’ll start from a realistic high-mix assembly scenario and walk through the familiar steps of calculating takt time, defining product families, mapping routings, and sizing resources in a spreadsheet. From there, we’ll convert that static model into a lightweight simulation that can answer “what if?” questions about mix, volume, staffing, and automation.

The new generation of AI coding assistants and low-code tooling makes this workflow achievable by typical plant engineering and CI teams using mainstream tools, rather than requiring a large IT staff or a multimillion-dollar digital transformation program. Along the way, attendees will see working examples of AI-enabled helpers in action: video analysis of standard work, a PFEP-style data backbone to support Mixed Model material flow decisions, and AI-assisted A3 problem solving to turn insights from the digital twin into concrete countermeasures.

The session is vendor-neutral and focused on methods; the prototypes shown are there to make the ideas concrete. Attendees will leave with a repeatable pattern for using AI and simple digital twins to design smarter, more automation-friendly Mixed Model lines in their own plants, starting from the spreadsheets they already have.

Richard D. Rahn

Principal

Leonardo Group Americas

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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.

Dan Colvin

Vice President of Robotics and Digital Solutions

ESAB Welding and Cutting

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Jason Dornbos

Sales Manager

Extol Inc.

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Shane LeCroix

Solutions Engineer

Phillips Corp.

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Brian Romano, Ph.D.

Director of Technology Development

Arthur G Russell Co.

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John Sprovieri

Editor-in-Chief

ASSEMBLY

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Welcome Reception

Join us for the Opening Night Welcome Reception, where you can mingle with fellow attendees before the exhibit hall opens. Pick up your name badge, enjoy a drink, and connect with others in a relaxed, casual setting. Don’t miss this chance to start building valuable connections ahead of Wednesday’s official kickoff!

The Future of Manufacturing

LG has developed their smart factory capabilities based on over 70 years of manufacturing experience and operational expertise accumulated across 60 production subsidiaries in more than 40 regions worldwide. The Changwon, South Korea factory in 2022 and the Tennessee, USA factory in 2023 were selected as Lighthouse Factories by the World Economic Forum. Jaemin will introduce how intelligent automation and AI technologies are being applied on the manufacturing floor and boosting productivity, focusing on the Tennessee factory case.

Jaemin Kim

Marketing Director, Smart Factory Solutions Center & Production Engineering Research Institute

LG Electronics

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FIRST® Robotics: Developing Tennessee’s Future Workforce

The Manufacturing & Automation Exchange is about innovation, production, and the future of industry. A critical part of that future is talent.

FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a global nonprofit that prepares students for careers in advanced manufacturing, automation, engineering, and skilled trades through hands-on robotics programs.

Advancing Quality Control with Innovative Metrology Solutions

Discover how cutting-edge 3D metrology technologies are transforming quality control processes in manufacturing. Brian Rasbach will share practical insights and strategies to improve precision, efficiency, and compliance in modern production environments.

Brian Rasbach

Director of Sales

FARO | CREAFORM

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Session 1: Implementing Extended Producer Responsibility Packaging Legislation Across U.S. Manufacturing

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is the top issue in product packaging today, with several U.S. states in various stages of implementing fee-based sustainability programs directly related to a manufacturer’s end-of-life plan for its packaging. The more sustainable and truly circular the packaging, the less a manufacturer will generally pay into the system. This session will provide an overview of the status of these programs, with real-world examples from consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers.

Dan Felton

President & CEO

Flexible Packaging Association

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From Disconnected Data to Actionable Signals on the Shop Floor

Your manufacturing environments probably generates more data than your team can realistically use. And it might just be all over the place - Tool data lives in one place, quality data in another, and maintenance history somewhere else, so patterns show up late or not at all.

This session walks through how connecting those data streams changes what teams can see day to day.  You will leave with session with a clearer understanding of how your manufacturing data can be structured to support faster response, more consistent performance, and fewer surprises on the floor.

Rob Brooks

RhiKnows Sales Engineer

Rhino Tool House

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How 3M Scaled Kaizen and Ergonomics Improvements Across 15 Plants in Weeks, Not Months

When 3M set out to modernize its time studies and ergonomics assessments, it turned to Retrocausal’s AI-powered video insights to overcome the limits of manual methods. In this session, we’ll explore how 3M achieved measurable productivity gains, faster ergonomics analysis, and smoother CI rollouts across 15 plants with zero IT integration.

Jesse Aust

Vice President of Global Enterprise Sales

Retrocausal

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Autonomous CMM Programming: Where Model-Based Definition Meets Autonomous Inspection

This session explores how model-based definition enables automated CMM programming and how AI-driven path planning can accelerate inspection development by 70 to 90 percent. Attendees will see how autonomous workflows reduce bottlenecks and improve consistency across high-mix production.

Hany Abdel-Motaleb

Sales Engineer

Mitutoyo America Corporation

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Activate Your Workforce: The Proven Path to Retention, Performance, and Success That’s Hiding in Plain Sight

In this session, Craig Coyle—a former U.S. Army Apache Pilot, commander, and aerospace leader—draws from aviation, leadership development, and workforce research to reveal why many organizations unintentionally create disengagement, turnover, and subsequent performance challenges. Attendees will explore the hidden leadership gap that exists across the industry—and why traditional leadership training often fails to address it or close it.

Craig Coyle

Founder & CEO

Operation Lead

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AI and X-ray: Faster, More Reliable Quality Control for Drug Delivery

Traditional nondestructive testing for measuring doses in drug delivery devices is slow, manual, and prone to errors, creating inefficiencies in quality control. Learn how to improve efficiency and reliability with AI-taught and AI-trained segmentation models that enable 100% inspection of drug delivery devices automatically for faster, more accurate, and scalable results.

Paul Brackman

X-ray Product Manager

ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions

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Leveraging AI and Intelligent Software in Manufacturing

Learn how to leverage AI and intelligent software platforms to accelerate manufacturing at your company.

See how manufacturers are deploying artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing software coupled with inexpensive hardware to achieve more flexible, lower cost manufacturing processes that drive higher quality and productivity. This session demonstrates how these technologies are permitting companies to leverage their existing human resources to rapidly automate tasks and implement technical mistake-proofing.

Floyd Dickson

Vice President

Ujigami (Tutelar Technologies)

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Before You Buy: Why Feasibility Testing is the Most Critical Step in Adopting New Manufacturing Technology

Investing in new manufacturing technology without feasibility testing introduces unnecessary risk in performance, integration, and quality. This session explains how feasibility testing validates application requirements early, ensuring correct technology selection, smoother implementation, and long-term process reliability.

John Krause

Sales Manager

Promess Inc.

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Session 2: The Thinking Factory: Smarter Manufacturing with an AI-ready MES

In this presentation, you will discover how to build the factory of the future with an AI-ready MES. See how we are leveraging AI to enhance visibility, accelerate data-driven decision-making, and simplify complex manufacturing processes. Experience these capabilities firsthand through a live demonstration.

Jeff Richardson

Industry Solution Director

Critical Manufacturing

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From Import to Expansion: How to Scale Your Work Instructions in PICO

See how fast you can turn your existing work instructions into scalable, error-proofed digital workflows. In this 15-minute demo, PICO’s Head of Product, Steve Wishau, will show you how to import Word, Excel, Google Docs, PowerPoint, or Dozuki files into PICO—and expand them with variants, connected tools, and real-time validation.

Ultrasonic Welding Applications with Schunk Sonosystems

What is ultrasonic welding and what can it do for you? A discussion and demonstration on ultrasonic welding applications and the Schunk manufacturing processes.

Eli Lloyd

Sales Engineer

Schunk Sonosystems

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Modular by Design: How TOX®️ Accelerates Modern Manufacturing

TOX^®️ presents a modular joining solution that seamlessly unifies electric servo presses, pneumohydraulic drives, fastening technologies, and advanced process monitoring into a single, integration-ready platform.

This session demonstrates how automation partners and manufacturers can accelerate deployment, expand control flexibility, and elevate quality performance across automotive, white goods, medical, and other high-demand industries.

Kevin den Toom

Product Line Manager

Tox-Pressotechnik

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Have You Studied Dr. Deming’s Teachings?

This session will give you a high level of who Dr. Deming was and how to study his teachings.

Lou Ann Lathrop

ASQ Fellow

ASQ

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Building Manufacturing Quality Careers That Last

Manufacturing quality roles are evolving rapidly as automation, data, and AI reshape how work gets done. This session explores how ASQ credentials support manufacturing professionals at every career stage by translating real-world experience into recognized, portable proof of competence.

Attendees will learn how ASQ’s certification pathways, digital credentials, and emerging micro-credential opportunities help quality professionals stay relevant, grow with industry change, and build careers that keep pace with modern manufacturing. The session will also highlight how new ASQ AI-enabled learning tools are making continuous skill development more accessible, personalized, and practical for busy manufacturing environments.

When Uncertainty Upsets Your Certainty

We all feel good when the measurement result is declared a "Pass." But is it that simple? Every measurement comes with some level of variation, and that variation can be enough to turn what looks like a definite pass or fail into a gray area that carries real risk. In this session, Heather illustrates how measurement uncertainty affects our measurements.

Heather Wade

President

Heather Wade Group

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Session 3: Lunch Roundtable: AI, Automation & Predictive Analytics in Manufacturing

Building on the insights from the AI session, this interactive roundtable discussion gives attendees the opportunity to dive deeper into the practical realities of AI-driven manufacturing. Each table will feature a focused topic—such as predictive maintenance, quality analytics, automation strategies, data readiness, or change management—guided by a designated moderator. Participants can choose the discussion most relevant to their interests, share experiences, explore implementation challenges, and make meaningful connections with peers who are navigating similar digital transformation journeys.

Table Moderators:

Sainyam Arora, QA & Systems Engineer, Johnson Matthey

Bryan Bauw, COO, PICO

Jessica Morrison, VP of Strategic Partnerships and Growth, Golgix

Getting Real Results – 3 Core Ideas to Make Sure Automation Delivers Bottom-Line Value

We routinely hear about cool, new technologies, but also about the challenges of implementing well and delivering true bottom-line results.
This presentation will weave together Continuous Improvement principles and implementation experiences to propose our path of payback! How do we ensure that automation efforts result in meaningful impact to Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost – there are some trusted methods to delivering exactly that outcome.

Jeremy Moorman

Executive Leader

Applied Industrial Technologies

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The Next Generation of Quality Leadership: Preparing Manufacturing for the AI Era

Manufacturing is entering a pivotal moment: experienced quality professionals are retiring, while AI and digital systems are reshaping how decisions are made on the shop floor. This session explores the emerging quality talent gap and what it means for smart manufacturing. Drawing from industry trends and practical experience in advanced manufacturing, Sainyam Arora outlines the new capabilities quality leaders must develop—systems thinking, digital fluency, and cross-functional influence—to sustain operational excellence. Attendees will leave with clear considerations for preparing the next generation of quality professionals to support AI-enabled production environments.

Sainyam Arora

Quality Assurance & Systems Engineer

Johnson Matthey

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Unlock Your Potential: How ASQ Certification Accelerates Career Growth

Advance your career with ASQ Certification, the global benchmark for quality excellence. Whether you are building foundational skills or leading complex improvement initiatives, ASQ credentials validate your expertise, enhance your credibility, and position you for greater opportunity.

In this session, you will learn how ASQ certifications support career progression, which credentials align with your goals, and how to prepare effectively using proven study resources.

You will leave with clear, practical guidance on selecting the right certification, preparing with confidence, and leveraging your credential to stand out in a competitive market.

Join us to accelerate your career and lead with confidence through ASQ Certification

Rework Now vs Rework Later: The Hidden Cost Curve of Delayed Detection

In modern manufacturing, defects don’t just happen — they travel. And the further they travel, the more expensive they become.

A small issue caught at the point of assembly can be addressed quickly. The same issue discovered at final inspection becomes rework and delay. Discovered after shipment, it becomes warranty cost, customer friction, and reputational risk.

This session breaks down why traditional gate-based inspections and siloed quality systems miss early signals — especially in high-mix environments with shift-to-shift variation. We’ll explore how digitized inspection workflows and AI-driven trend detection help teams identify drift sooner, take action earlier, and prevent repeat defects.

The key takeaway: reducing cost of poor quality isn’t just about automating inspections — it’s about building inspection intelligence that closes the loop from detection → decision → corrective action → proof.

Priyansha Bagaria

Founder & CEO

Loopr AI

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The Hidden Strategy: Electrical Power Systems as a Driver of Success

Despite groundbreaking advancements in AI, Smart manufacturing technologies, Cobots, etc, many manufacturers continue to depend on conventional electrical conduit and wiring systems - developed more than a century ago – to distribute power in their facilities. Businesses that treat electrical power distribution as a tactical afterthought risk higher operational costs, limited flexibility, and reduced agility for innovation. In today’s highly competitive and technology-driven environment, the choice of an electrical power distribution system is no longer a routine engineering decision—it is a strategic imperative.

Adrian Sanchez

Director, Commercial & Industrial Sales

Starline

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Session 4: 5G: How to Turn Your Factory Into a Smart, Connected Facility

Assembly plants are extraordinarily complex environments that rely on automation and connectivity. However, with miles of Ethernet cables connecting Wi-Fi drop points, plants have limited flexibility for setup and upgrades. In contrast, wireless 5G technology allows engineers to create a more flexible and connected facility. In this session, you’ll learn the what, why and how of 5G technology for factories from a panel of experts.

Vish Kolur

Head of Business Development for Enterprise 5G in Emerging Markets

Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions

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Still Using Hydraulics? Five Reasons Going Electric Saves You Money

As production demands increase, electric servo presses outperform hydraulics by combining precision motion control with advanced sensing to improve quality, efficiency, and reliability. This session shows how electric technology reduces scrap and downtime, shortens cycle times, simplifies integration, lowers maintenance, and delivers a cleaner, quieter, and more flexible manufacturing solution.

Logan Bowlby

Southeast Territory Manager

Promess Inc.

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Nobody Notices Normal The Hidden Challenges of Running A Quality Lab

A look at the challenges and evolving demands on the modern QC lab where when your succeed it looks like nothing happened. Enjoy an honest review of the pressures and needs placed on the modern QC team.

Mike Long

Senior Director of Solutions

Aerocom USA

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Do You Know How Much Your Production Tools Actually Cost?

The total cost of owning your current production screwdrivers has become increasingly expensive, especially when factoring in licensing fees and ongoing support. At Delta Regis Tools, we’re proud to offer high-quality, reliable products at reasonable prices – backed by excellent support. Our lineup of smart tools continues that commitment, delivering advanced capability without the inflated ownership costs.

Michael Stumpo

Sales & Marketing Manager

Delta Regis Tools Inc.

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Connected Microscopy and AI: Improving Materials Characterization and Analysis

Explore how advancements in AI and Machine Learning are transforming microscopy-based image segmentation and materials characterization, enabling faster, standardized, and more accurate analysis of complex microstructures in batteries, electronics, alloys, and more. This presentation will highlight practical examples of AI-driven and connected workflows that enhance image processing, segmentation, and classification across optical, electron, and x-ray microscopy, delivering actionable insights to streamline processes and improve manufacturing quality.

Trevor Campbell

Sales Development Manager - Microscopy

ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions

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Attract and Retain Today’s Digital Age Workforce

How Hexagon can support your most precious resource by using AI-enabled, digital workflows to attract, train and engage them with your entire manufacturing ecosystem.

Robert Kratzer

Enterprise Account Executive

Hexagon

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Microns Matter: Elevating Sheet Metal Stamping with Portable 3D Scanning & Probing

In sheet metal stamping—where microns matter—portable 3D scanning and probing deliver instant, shop‑floor precision that keeps dies, parts, and production perfectly aligned. By catching issues the moment they appear, manufacturers can eliminate downtime and keep every stroke of the press running at full confidence and full speed.

Brian Rasbach

Director of Sales

FARO | CREAFORM

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Session 5: Bringing It Home: Lessons Learned from Manufacturers That Have Reshored Production

Whether they want to increase resiliency, shorten supply chains, or protect intellectual property, a growing number of U.S. manufacturers are striving to bring production back from overseas. However, the process of reshoring production takes more than simply loading machinery onto a ship and sending it back to the states. There are many issues to consider. Will additional workers be needed? Are there local sources of parts and materials? What are the financial implications of the move? What “tribal knowledge” might be lost in the transfer? In this panel discussion, learn from local manufacturers that have successfully reshored production.

Bill Good

Vice President of Manufacturing

GE Appliances

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John Sprovieri

Editor-in-Chief

ASSEMBLY

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Bob Teska

Chief Operating Officer

Dalen Products

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Precision Where It Matters: Measurement Across the Manufacturing Process

As manufacturing evolves, precision and data are becoming as critical as speed—starting on the shop floor and extending through final inspection. This overview highlights how technologies, including probing and flexible gauging, are used to improve part accuracy, support confident automation, and connect production with inspection through practical, real‑world applications.

Jay Higginbotham

Regional Sales Manager

Renishaw Inc.

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From Disconnected Data to Actionable Signals on the Shop Floor

Your manufacturing environments probably generates more data than your team can realistically use. And it might just be all over the place - Tool data lives in one place, quality data in another, and maintenance history somewhere else, so patterns show up late or not at all.

This session walks through how connecting those data streams changes what teams can see day to day.  You will leave with session with a clearer understanding of how your manufacturing data can be structured to support faster response, more consistent performance, and fewer surprises on the floor.

Brandon Gauntt

RhiKnows Sales Engineer

Rhino Tool House

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Smart Factory Starts with Quality- Three Practical Upgrades That Transform Measurement into Insight

This session explores how connected measurement systems transform dimensional data into real-time operational insight. Attendees will learn how integrated metrology platforms improve process visibility, reduce scrap and support smarter manufacturing decisions across the factory network.

Hany Abdel-Motaleb

Sales Engineer

Mitutoyo America Corporation

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Engineered Solutions by Creform

Learn how Creform’s Pipe/Joint, Conveyor and AGV solutions support your lean improvement initiatives.

Jonathan Stoops

Sr Sales Manager

Creform Corp.

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Accelerate Your Culture of Quality with ASQ Training

Increase efficiency, minimize waste, create problem-solvers, embed quality - whatever your goal, ASQ meets your needs with best-in-class content from quality basics to expert-level learning.

We have you covered from ASQ’s Quality 101 to Root Cause Analysis and CAPA to Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and more. Learn how ASQ training can support your strategic initiatives.

Happy Hour Reception

Wrap Up Day 1 with Cheers, Bites, and Connections! Join us on the exhibit floor for a Happy Hour Reception you won’t want to miss! Sip on something refreshing, savor delicious Tennessee-inspired treats along Main Street and MAXimum Drive, and keep the conversations flowing. It’s the perfect way to mix, mingle, and unwind while exploring the show floor and connecting with fellow attendees and exhibitors.

Morning Mingle & Breakfast

Kickstart Your Day at the Morning Mingle & Breakfast! Join us on the exhibit floor for a complimentary continental breakfast and a fresh cup of coffee to jumpstart your final day. It’s your last chance to swap ideas, trade cards, and make those meaningful connections before the event winds down. Come for the coffee, stay for the conversation!

Session 6: Coatings in the Era of Smart Manufacturing: Productivity and Sustainability Ahead

Manufacturing is undergoing rapid transformation as digitalization, automation, advanced materials and assembly motifs evolve and converge. This presentation examines the intersection of these shifts through the lens of coatings, adhesives and sealants.

Industry 4.0’s data-rich automation and AI capabilities are transforming total solutions (product, process and service) by accelerating formulation workflows, tightening process control, and reducing variability and waste across application, cure, and bonding operations. Industry 5.0 builds on this momentum reinforcing sustainable chemistries, circular material strategies, and including adaptive automation—creating the force multiplier that unlocks significantly higher productivity while lowering environmental burden and supporting humancentric, resilient manufacturing with a new generation of tailored high-performance, low-impact coatings, adhesives and sealant technologies and processes.

Calum Munro

Corporate Fellow

PPG

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Basic Components of an Effective Internal Calibration Program

Measurements are critical to manufacturing. To ensure measurements are valid, one of the requirements is that the measured value is known and defendable. To do this, the measurement equipment is calibrated. Equipment can be calibrated by an external vendor and/or calibrated by your own people. When calibrating your own measurement and test equipment, there are basics that must be established and used. Come and learn what these basic components are for an effective internal calibration program.

Heather Wade

President

Heather Wade Group

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Full Product Traceability, Tips and Tools to Create Robust Data Packages

Are you looking to improve your product traceability? This session hosted by Will Biglin will focus on improving product insight, tracing subcomponents back to receipts and tips for creating robust data packages.

Will Biglin

Sr Solutions Engineer

Deltek

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From Disconnected Data to Actionable Signals on the Shop Floor

Your manufacturing environments probably generates more data than your team can realistically use. And it might just be all over the place - Tool data lives in one place, quality data in another, and maintenance history somewhere else, so patterns show up late or not at all.

This session walks through how connecting those data streams changes what teams can see day to day.  You will leave with session with a clearer understanding of how your manufacturing data can be structured to support faster response, more consistent performance, and fewer surprises on the floor.

Rob Brooks

RhiKnows Sales Engineer

Rhino Tool House

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Industrial Security and Machine Safety

We explore the critical intersection of machine safety and industrial security in today’s connected factories.  We’ll cover machine safety assessments in accordance with ISO-12100 and how emerging cyber security threats to OT systems per IEC-62443 interact can directly compromise physical safety.  The core focus is practical integration: unified risk assessments, defense-in-depth strategies, and resilient solutions for automation and OT.  Attendees will leave with actionable insights to protect people, productivity, and assets in manufacturing and an understanding of new standards coming January 2027.

Joseph Redden

National Channel Manager

Pilz Automation Safety US

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The Evolution of Quality: Truly Holistic Quality Assurance through Symbiotic Multisensor Measurement

A common challenge in industrial quality control is inspecting diverse features with varying quality requirements, where methods suitable for one inspection often fall short for others. This presentation will explore how integrating the strengths of multiple technologies into a collaborative workflow can eliminate orphaned, disconnected data and improve efficiency, accuracy, and overall inspection outcomes.

Paul Brackman

X-ray Product Manager

ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions

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Session 7: Future-Ready Workforce: Skills, Culture & Adaptation in Modern Manufacturing

Explore what it takes to build a resilient workforce in a time of technological acceleration and changing employee expectations. Panelists will discuss closing the skills gap, preparing for AI-driven role changes, and developing environments that attract and retain top talent. A live Q&A invites open dialogue with attendees.

Nikki Gonzales

Director of Business Development

Weintek USA

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Denise Hall

President & CEO

Peak Performance

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Morgann Harrell

Engagement Leader

Superior Skilled Trades

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Allison Roberts Grealis

President

Women in Manufacturing

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Meaghan Ziemba

Podcast Host

Mavens of Manufacturing

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Making Statements of Conformity in a Calibration Report

When a calibration report is provided by a calibration supplier, a typical concern for the customer is to know if the item calibrated is within the tolerance specified so it can be used with confidence. While this traditional approach is still thought to be fine over the years, measurement science has evolved where it is not a simple binary issue of a “pass” or “fail” status within manufacturer’s specification.

Laboratory accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 has advanced the good practices related to calibration to include more information to the process of calibrating an item and calling it within conformance (“pass” or “fail”).

This presentation describes what is involved in making a statement of conformity. What was traditionally the job of a calibration laboratory (“the experts”) to make a call (“pass” or “fail”) now requires interaction up front from the customer before they can make that call on a calibration certificate. The contract review phase becomes more important in specifying the calibration requirements by the customer.

This presentation educates both the consumer and supplier of calibration services on what is required of them to ensure that an “appropriate” pass or fail call is made to meet the requirements of the customer when a calibration activity takes place.

Dilip Shah

President

E=mc3 Solutions

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Autonomous CMM Programming: Where Model-Based Definition Meets Autonomous Inspection (ENCORE)

This session explores how model-based definition enables automated CMM programming and how AI-driven path planning can accelerate inspection development by 70 to 90 percent. Attendees will see how autonomous workflows reduce bottlenecks and improve consistency across high-mix production.

Hany Abdel-Motaleb

Sales Engineer

Mitutoyo America Corporation

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From Hype to Impact: How AI Agents Are Transforming Sales Operations in Manufacturing

This session bridges manufacturing and automation by exploring whether AI agents are merely a buzzword or a genuine game-changer for sales and order management in manufacturing.

Marina Brittner

GTM & Product Enablement Leader

Workist

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Alexander Müller

Co-Founder & CEO

Workist

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Hazard Mitigation and Process Control in Energetic Compaction

This discussion explores the current landscape of energetic material press technologies, their obstacles and enhancing process control to optimize material density.

Stephanie Price

Defense Sales Director

Promess Inc.

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Beyond the Zahn

How to get your viscosity management system ready for your AI/ML future.

Michael Bonner

Vice President - Engineering & Technology

Saint Clair Systems Inc.

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Engineered Solutions by Creform

Learn how Creform’s Pipe/Joint, Conveyor and AGV solutions support your lean improvement initiatives.

Jonathan Stoops

Sr Sales Manager

Creform Corp.

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Precision Where It Matters: Measurement Across the Manufacturing Process

As manufacturing evolves, precision and data are becoming as critical as speed—starting on the shop floor and extending through final inspection. This overview highlights how technologies, including probing and flexible gauging, are used to improve part accuracy, support confident automation, and connect production with inspection through practical, real‑world applications.

Jay Higginbotham

Regional Sales Manager

Renishaw Inc.

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Accelerate Your Culture of Quality with ASQ Training

Increase efficiency, minimize waste, create problem-solvers, embed quality - whatever your goal, ASQ meets your needs with best-in-class content from quality basics to expert-level learning.

We have you covered from ASQ’s Quality 101 to Root Cause Analysis and CAPA to Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and more. Learn how ASQ training can support your strategic initiatives.

Session 8: Lunch Roundtable: Workforce Development Deep-Dive

Following the Workforce Development panel, attendees are invited to join a moderated roundtable lunch designed to continue the conversation in a more interactive setting. Each table will focus on a specific workforce development topic—such as skills training, talent pipelines, retention strategies, next-generation expectations, or the impact of automation and AI—led by an assigned moderator. Participants can choose the topic most relevant to them, share ideas, learn from peers, and build valuable connections while exploring practical strategies for strengthening today’s manufacturing workforce.

Table Moderators:

Allison Grealis, President, Women in Manufacturing

Nikki Gonzales, Co-Host of Automation Ladies

Denise Hall, President & CEO, Peak Performance

Morgann Harrell, Engagement Leader, Superior Skilled Trades

Meaghan Ziemba, Podcast Host, Mavens of Manufacturing

TOUR of Nissan Plant – Smyrna, TN

– SOLD OUT – Go behind the scenes at one of North America’s most productive automotive facilities with a guided tour of Nissan’s Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant. Offered on Tuesday, March 24 and Thursday, March 26, this experience provides a firsthand look at large-scale vehicle manufacturing, advanced automation, and quality-driven production processes. Guests will tour the expansive Smyrna campus, home to cutting-edge assembly operations and thousands of skilled team members. Complimentary transportation will be provided to and from the Music City Center. Capacity is limited and reservations are required. $55 registration fee applies.

LG Tennessee Lighthouse Factory Tour

Step inside the future of manufacturing with an exclusive LG Tennessee Lighthouse Factory Tour. This invite-only experience offers rare access to LG’s most advanced manufacturing facility in Clarksville, showcasing cutting-edge automation, digital innovation, and operational excellence in action. Enjoy VIP hospitality including complimentary round-trip transportation from the Music City Center, a guided factory tour, a networking lunch with fellow industry leaders, and a commemorative gift. Offered on March 24 or March 26, this standalone program is ideal for manufacturing professionals seeking real-world insight into next-generation production. Capacity is limited and advance approval is required. Request to join here