{"676396":{"#nid":"676396","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Fostering Industry Innovation: Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium Celebrates First Year of Operation","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBetween revitalized investments in America\u2019s manufacturing infrastructure and an increased focus on AI and automation, the U.S. is experiencing a manufacturing renaissance. A key focus of this resurgence lies in improving the resiliency of supply chains in the U.S., particularly in crucial sectors like defense.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf we were to suddenly have a seismic shift in defense manufacturing needs,\u201d asks \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/faculty\/stebner\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAaron Stebner\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, professor and Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. Chair in Manufacturing in the\u202f\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.me.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorge W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, \u201cdo we have the supply chain and manufacturers who could meet that sudden increase in demand? How do we do that in a way that\u2019s sustainable for long periods of time as a nation if that need arises?\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/manufacturing\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Manufacturing Institute\u003C\/a\u003E (GTMI) officially launched the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ampf.research.gatech.edu\/how-engage\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EManufacturing 4.0 Consortium\u003C\/a\u003E in 2023 to address that need. Designed to form a network of engaged manufacturers from across the country, the Consortium serves as a key connection point between Georgia Tech and industry partners \u2014 and as fertile ground for collaborative innovation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBy bringing us all together,\u201d says Stebner, who serves on the board of the Consortium, \u201cwe can do bigger, more meaningful things and find unique ways and opportunities to get money flowing back to the companies and Georgia Tech.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith over 25 founding company members, the Consortium celebrated its first official year of operation in August.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECreating a Resilient Network\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium originally grew out of an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2021\/12\/16\/georgia-tech-leads-effort-strengthen-states-defense-manufacturing-industry\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E18-month pilot project\u003C\/a\u003E funded by the Department of Defense Office of Local Community Cooperation aiming to increase defense supply chain resilience, assist Georgia manufacturers in adopting new technologies, and foster collaboration by connecting manufacturers across Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThose goals and more are tackled by the Consortium\u2019s focus on \u201cnetworking, engagement, and collaboration,\u201d says Stebner. \u201cIt\u0027s not just a consortium for Georgia Tech to take money from industry and do stuff with their money \u2014 the goal is to create new resources that enable us to collaborate in bigger ways than we could otherwise.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo join the Consortium, industry members pay up to $10,000 annually to access its network, intellectual property, and facilities. With a 10% membership discount for Georgia businesses and a 75% discount for small businesses, the Consortium especially aims to promote growth for small Georgia manufacturers.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMemberships come with time at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ampf.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EAdvanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility\u003C\/a\u003E, which we\u2019re \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/ai-and-automation-converge-expansion-georgia-techs-advanced-manufacturing-pilot-facility\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eexpanding\u003C\/a\u003E to be this test bed for autonomous maturation of research and development,\u201d says Stebner. \u201cThe fact that we have what\u2019s going to be an almost $60 million facility behind us as a mechanism and a playground for all these companies is unique.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cHaving a shared use facility that is fully equipped to solve manufacturing\u2019s most interesting challenges is not only a perk of Consortium memberships,\u201d said Executive Director \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/georgia-aim-welcomes-new-managing-director-industry-partnerships\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESteven Ferguson\u003C\/a\u003E, \u201cbut it also serves as a hub for innovation in manufacturing.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIndustry Innovation\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany consortiums founded by academic institutions are primarily focused on academic research.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe Manufacturing 4.0 consortium has an industry focus,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/branden-kappes-839b4213\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBranden Kappes\u003C\/a\u003E, founder and president of Consortium member company \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.contextualize.us.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EContextualize LLC\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cIt\u0027s more about how we take this capability that, at the moment, is trapped in a lab and transition from a wonderful concept into a wonderful product.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Consortium achieves that translation through shared intellectual property agreements, collaborative research initiatives, and an emphasis on creating an engaged and open network of members.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI see camaraderie inside the Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium,\u201d says Kappes. \u201cI see companies that overlap and compete in some areas, are complementary in others, and are willing to build a bridge to advance the capabilities of both sides and the community as a whole. That type of mentality is very exciting.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis is one of the most highly engaged groups I have interacted with in a professional setting,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/john-f-b7460211\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EJohn Flynn\u003C\/a\u003E, vice president of Sales at Consortium member company \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/endeavor3d.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EEndeavor 3D\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cIt is an incredibly dynamic melting pot of all the different facets of industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing, bringing everyone together from that part of the supply chain to create what I know will be important and value-added projects, ultimately resulting in intellectual property.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe are able to connect Consortium members with subject matter experts at Georgia Tech and within the Consortium who have \u2018been there and done that,\u2019\u201d said Ferguson. \u201cAt the same time, we are working with manufacturers to create novel solutions to complex problems through research engagements. Blending all of those activities into one organization is part of the magic that is the Consortium.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWith over 25 founding member companies brought on in its first year, the Consortium serves as a key connection point between the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute and industry partners \u2014 and as fertile ground for collaborative innovation.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"With over 25 founding member companies brought on in its first year, the Consortium serves as a key connection point between the Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute and industry partners \u2014 and as fertile ground for collaborative innovation. "}],"uid":"35575","created_gmt":"2024-08-29 15:22:50","changed_gmt":"2024-08-29 15:30:05","author":"adavidson38","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-08-29T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-08-29T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"674762":{"id":"674762","type":"image","title":"Manufacturing-4.0-consortium-meeting-georgia-tech-manufacturing-institute.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EManufacturing 4.0 Consortium members gathered at the June quarterly meeting. Photo: Audra Davidson.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1724945364","gmt_created":"2024-08-29 15:29:24","changed":"1724945364","gmt_changed":"2024-08-29 15:29:24","alt":"Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium members gathered at the June quarterly meeting. Photo: Audra Davidson.","file":{"fid":"258322","name":"Manufacturing-4.0-consortium-meeting-georgia-tech-manufacturing-institute.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/08\/29\/Manufacturing-4.0-consortium-meeting-georgia-tech-manufacturing-institute.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/08\/29\/Manufacturing-4.0-consortium-meeting-georgia-tech-manufacturing-institute.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2037819,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/08\/29\/Manufacturing-4.0-consortium-meeting-georgia-tech-manufacturing-institute.jpeg?itok=5kizVfVj"}}},"media_ids":["674762"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/ai-and-automation-converge-expansion-georgia-techs-advanced-manufacturing-pilot-facility","title":"AI and Automation Converge in Expansion of Georgia Tech\u2019s Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility"},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/georgia-techs-manufacturing-40-consortium-announces-new-board-members","title":"Georgia Tech\u2019s Manufacturing 4.0 Consortium Announces New Board Members"},{"url":"https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/georgia-aim-welcomes-new-managing-director-industry-partnerships","title":"Georgia AIM welcomes new managing director for industry partnerships"}],"groups":[{"id":"155831","name":"Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI)"}],"categories":[{"id":"131","name":"Economic Development and Policy"},{"id":"147","name":"Military Technology"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186857","name":"go-gtmi"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193658","name":"Commercialization"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EAudra Davidson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECommunications Manager\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech Manufacturing Institute\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["Audra.davidson@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}