Robotics in Manufacturing
Robotics in Manufacturing
October 14 @ 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm EDT
We believe technology can help power U.S. manufacturers to be competitive throughout the world. The purpose of this event is to highlight some of the challenges that our manufactures face, raise the awareness of some of the latest robotic enabling technologies that are available, and most importantly encourage an exchange of ideas to help drive solutions.
This Semi-Virtual event will host in-person presentations at MassRobotics and will be broadcast via this GoToWebinar link.
Agenda:
Welcome & Introduction – MassRobotics / MassMEP
Robotics and Manufacturing Trends – Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute
Massachusetts Manufacturing: Challenges ¥ Vibram, Pelican, Davico
Automation/Robotic Manufacturing Success Story - Cheer Pack
~ BREAK ~ (20 min)
Applications of Industrial and Collaborative arms in manufacturing, use cases, future needs – Mitsubishi Electric (MEAU)
Latest in Technology:
Tech Talks from Startups with solutions ¥ Southie Autonomy, FringeAI, Scalable Robotics, Realbotics, RasLabs, Ubrios, Ascend Robotics, Ava Robotics, MachineMetrics, Tulip
Front Line Supervisor Apprenticeship Training Consortium Info Session
NEW Front Line Supervisor Apprenticeship Training
TRAINING DESCRIPTION: Operational Excellence for Supervisors consists of 3 modules, Leadership Skills, Manufacturing Principles, and Problem Solving. This course is delivered over a 12-month span and is designed to provide both awareness and education through classroom and actual "hands-on” exercises in the work environment with an emphasis on the Scientific Method of problem-solving, team building, and conflict resolution. These are competency-based skills: managers and trainers will evaluate progress and determine the level of competence achieved throughout the apprenticeship period.
- 1-year training program, 3 per class/month
- delivered virtually
- 3 training modules - leadership skills, manufacturing principles, problem-solving
- registered apprenticeship (company will become a "co-sponsor" with MassMEP)
- qualifies for MA Registered Apprentice Tax Credit ($4,800/apprentice)
- funding support available through the Workforce Training Fund
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Supervisors and Work Leaders that responsible for and coordinate the activities of production workers, such as inspectors, machine setters, assemblers, fabricators, and maintenance.
FORGE Manufacturing & Innovation Showcase
Hundreds of startups, manufacturers, suppliers, funders, and supporters historically attend FORGE’s Manufacturing & Innovation Showcase which will be held virtually on October 22nd, at 10:00 am. The event will include a startup pitch competition, a trade show of exhibiting manufacturers and suppliers, and the opportunity to virtually network across the innovation ecosystem.
Schedule:
10:00 am-10:20 am: Opening Remarks (Introduction to FORGE, hear from last year's winners!)
10:30 am-10:50 am: Startup Pitch Competition for FORGE Product Development Grant
11:00am-11:10am: Winner Announcement and Closing Remarks
11:10am-12:00pm: Networking Time (Manufacturer/Supplier Expo Booths and 1:1)
Stay tuned for additional information on speakers, event timing, and more!
If you are a startup and would like to be featured in a startup lookbook so attendees can identify you as someone to network and connect with, please refer to this link. If you are a company interested in sponsorship opportunities for this event, please email adam@forgemass.org
Live: Hacker Prevention Hour
Cybersecurity awareness month!
Join us live on Facebook as MassMEP takes you through their Bronze, Silver and Gold roadmap to becoming cyber secure. Hear from our partners, CyberSaint and Exolytic to learn about becoming CMMC or 27001 Certified. Also hear from manufacturing companies for tips and tricks on what's happening today and how to keep your data safe.
MA Manufacturing Month resource event for small businesses
About this Event
Please join us on Wednesday, October 28th at 10 AM for a small manufacturers virtual networking event.
October is Manufacturing Month in Massachusetts and there is a wealth of resources available for innovative makers that call Massachusetts home.
>> Learn more about Massachusetts Manufacturing Month
Invited Speakers:
- Wendell G. Davis, SBA New England Regional Administrator
- Robert H. Nelson, SBA MA District Director
- Ili Spahiu, Lead Lender Relations Specialist
- John Killam, President, MassMEP
- Kristen Rayne, Outreach Manager, Commonwealth Corporation
- Mark Manuel, Founder, Industrial Marketing (Certified ThomasNet Partner)
WBJ Manufacturing Summit & Excellence Award
Please join us for this virtual forum and celebration!
Help us recognize the achievements of WBJ’s 2020 Manufacturing Excellence honorees, and join us for a special webcast discussion about the key issues affecting manufacturers in our region.
The virtual event is free, however, pre-registration is required to receive a link to the event.

Please stay tuned for further programming and speaker updates.
ISO Internal Auditor 9001:2015 – Small Business Direct Access (SBDAP)
MassMEP 27A Midstate Drive, Auburn, MA, United StatesThis is a 4-day training see recurring event
Who Should Attend: This course is recommended for anyone involved in designing, implementing, maintaining and improving a quality management system and/or performing internal audits of a quality management system, such as quality officers, managers and auditors. No prior knowledge of auditing, quality management systems or ISO 9001:2008 is required prior to attending this course.
Course Highlights / Topics Covered:
- The process approach, performance indicators and risk
- The "Plan-Do-Check-Act” principle
- The key elements of a quality management system, management of documents/records, deviations, corrective and preventive actions
- Management responsibility, management representative and management review
- Measurement, analysis and continuous improvement on customer satisfaction, quality management effectiveness through internal audits, process performance and conformity to product requirements
- What are internal audits
- Why are internal audits conducted
- What preparatory work should be carried out before an audit
- What to pay attention to during the audit
- What is a good audit report
- What aspects are important in monitoring audit results, corrective and preventive actions
Students will benefit by:
- Learning how to plan, conduct, and report quality audit results
- Enhancing your understanding of the components of an internal quality audit program
- Gaining an in-depth understanding of ISO 9001 requirements
- Getting answers to your toughest audit questions
Capturing a working knowledge of the practices, roles and responsibilities of an auditor
Business Continuity and Contingency Planning
MassMEP 27A Midstate Drive, Auburn, MA, United StatesMassMEP’s "Business Continuity and Contingency Planning” is designed for companies who are interested in the assistance of the development, implementation, and maintenance of a process to mitigate risk to business due to unforeseen circumstances (i.e. COVID-19). The course will provide a company’s personnel with a) Training towards Risk Management, b) Establishing methods of risk mitigation with consideration towards personnel, customers, the supply chain, policies and procedures, and c) Instructions on establishing and implementing a Business Continuity and Contingency Plan.
Employers instituting measures of assessing risk and thorough implementation of emergency preparedness and/or business continuity plan can help prevent disruptions to health, safety, and the supply chain by being able to answer:
- How will this affect interested parties?
- What operations are effected?
- Who has the authority to communicate?
- When are the actions taken?
- Where operations can continue?
When an organization proactively plans to avoid and mitigate any risk associated with the disruption of its activities, the organization is better prepared to handle unforeseen challenges. Though not strictly pertaining to just coronavirus, a business continuity/contingency plan determines detailed steps to issue guidance on how to move forward by utilizing existing means of control, training, and management of operations when the risk has been established. This will assure interested parties (customers, vendors, etc.) that your organization is able to remove obstacles and have secondary methods to ensure product or service is uninterrupted.
This 16-hour training course is designed for personnel at all levels of the organization.
Topics include:
- Risk Management Overview
- Risk Assessment
- Planning of Risk Mitigation Activities
- Human Resources
- Vendor Control
- Internal/External Communication Methods
- Work Environment
- Submission Requirements
Additive Manufacturing in the New Normal with Design Point
In 2020, the global supply chain was disrupted by the devastating Covid-19 crisis. In this new reality companies that had future proofed their processes and removed risk from their supply chains thrived while others perished. In this segment, additive engineer Andrew Garchik will present specific use cases showing how manufacturers are using additive manufacturing to make their supply chains leaner and meaner. Also, Solidworks expert Dan Lawrence will be covering Dfam (design for additive manufacturing) and will be showcasing a 3d printed drone as an example.
Lead Generation Webinar with Tribal Vision
Assess Your Sales Structure & Learn Techniques to Maximize Lead Conversion
This webinar will help manufacturers put in place building blocks necessary to optimize lead generation methods and for closing, marketing qualified leads (MQLs) in a sales pipeline. Specific sub-topics will include:
- Digital sales enablement
- LinkedIn outreach best practices and mastery
- Drip email marketing outreach and best practices
Leveraging the cutting edge "sales 2.0” tools and platforms to efficiently prospect
Massachusetts is leading manufacturing into the future
Manufacturing in Massachusetts – Creating an Innovation Ecosystem
How we support the ecosystem during a pandemic and outside of a pandemic
Date: Friday, November 20, 2020
Description: The MERT worked to identify companies manufacturing or who pivoted to manufacture essential PPE products. Working to build the innovation ecosystem for the future and the impact on the Massachusetts manufacturing supply chain.
Host:
Elisabeth Reynolds (MIT)
Elisabeth B. Reynolds is a Principal Research Scientist and Lecturer in MIT’s Dept. of Urban Studies in Planning. She is the executive director of the MIT Industrial Performance Center and more recently, became executive director of MIT’s Institute-wide initiative on the Work of the Future (WotF). WotF was launched in 2018 to understand the relationship between technology, work, and society and how technology can be developed to enhance and augment human activities.
Guests:
Julie Chen (UML)
Dr. Julie Chen is the Vice Chancellor for Research & Economic Development and a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. As the Chief Research Officer, Dr. Chen directs UMass Lowell’s $90 million research enterprise, which spans all academic departments and 17 research and engagement centers and institutes. She also oversees industry partnerships, technology transfer, startups & innovation, core research facilities, and economic development programs.
Laura Teicher (FORGE)
Laura is Executive Director at FORGE, a 501(c)3 nonprofit helping innovators to navigate the journey from physical prototype through commercialization and impact at scale. FORGE's Manufacturing Initiative provides critical readiness support and tailored connections to regional supply chain expertise and manufacturers. This work has led to over $30 million in known contracts and purchase orders to make innovative products locally. FORGE is the sister organization of Greentown Labs - the largest climate tech incubator in North America.
NextFlex Massachusetts Node Webinar
The Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) at MassTech Collaborative together with the University of Massachusetts Lowell are initiating a webinar series for the NextFlex¨ Massachusetts Node.
- Collaboration opportunities;
- Posted job openings;
- Internships;
- Resources list; and
- Company spotlights.