Industry 4.0 Forums
Stay on the Leading Edge of Innovation and Technology
Through our Emerging Tech Showcases and Peer-to-Peer Network Forums we have created a library of resources, webinars and case studies that companies can reference as they consider their Industry 4.0 journey. Our Emerging Tech Showcase series provides an in-depth look at an emerging technology solution (i.e. IoT, cloud computing, cobots, artificial intelligence (A.I.), workforce wearables, big data & analytics, etc.) and highlights resources and programs for Industry 4.0 and digital transformation (via a 60-minute webinar where anyone can attend). Our Peer-to-Peer Network series captures key learnings and best practices from Indiana manufacturing and logistics companies about the advanced technology they have utilized or are considering.
Emerging Tech Showcases
See what you’ve been missing. Check out these past showcases and view the presentations.
Aligning Business Value and Sustainability in Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics Supply Chains
Enhancing Warehouse Flexibility and Productivity with Autonomous Mobile Robots
A growing number of manufacturing and logistics (AML) companies anticipate moving and monitoring products, inventory and raw materials with minimal human intervention in the next five years. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are quickly becoming a leading technology solution to achieve those strategic objectives. Watch the webinar recording to learn more!
Next-Gen Solutions for Real-time Field Collaboration & Workforce Connectivity
The world adapted to remote collaboration three years ago. It was sudden and pervasive and most of us quickly learned a myriad of virtual meeting platforms. Where these platforms fell short, and still fall short, is for remote collaboration in an advanced manufacturing and logistics environment. Virtual plant tours, equipment troubleshooting, maintenance training, and product demos remained cumbersome due to the hands-on nature of these tasks. Fortunately, next generation tools are emerging specifically for the field-intensive nature of AML.
Workforce Transformation for Industry 4.0 & Smart Manufacturing
Industry 4.0 & Smart Manufacturing are reshaping how individuals carry out work and tasks within the advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) sector. The development of skilled, technical occupations at the frontline production level is increasingly needed but requires incumbent workers to learn technology-related skills. Conexus was joined by Ivy Tech Community College and Amatrol for presentations on reskilling the Indiana AML workforce.
Discovery Day Indiana: Energy INsights
Energy INsights is a new state-wide program seeking to engage with 100 manufacturers to integrate an Amazon Web Services Connected Factory platform to gather and analyze data from legacy equipment and energy management systems. In collaboration with Energy Systems Network (ESN) and EMC2, as well as the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and Amazon Web Services (AWS), the program will provide data analytics tools to reduce manufacturers’ energy costs. Learn more below.
Digital Transformation for Logistics: Solutions from Indiana’s Tech Ecosystem
Learn more about the logistics tech startup ecosystem across Indiana and hear from three startup companies that are building innovative solutions for today’s logistics and advanced manufacturing challenges. Conexus Indiana has partnered with its sister organization, TechPoint, to bring you this showcase of innovative companies focused on packing, shipping, billing, supply chain visibility, and real-time insights.
Enhance Your Production Agility and Flexibility with Collaborative Robotics (Cobots)
Find out why collaborative robotics (cobots) are seeing rapid adoption at Indiana’s AML companies. The webinar features presentations from three local organizations: Telamon Robotics and Purdue MEP partnered to launch the Digital Manufacturing Technology Center (DMTC) with a focus on showcasing cost-effective Industry 4.0 solutions and Vincennes University recently unveiled its new collaborative robots lab inside the Center for Technology, Innovation, and Manufacturing.
Industry 4.0 Report Launch
Conexus Indiana, in partnership with Indiana University Kelley School of Business Center for Excellence in Manufacturing, released the findings of “The First Signpost on the Road from Early Adoption to Widespread Application of Industry 4.0 Technologies.” This is the second in a series of annual surveys of Indiana manufacturers to measure Indiana’s progress toward Industry 4.0 adoption. This webinar distilled the 2021 report’s key findings/recommendations and provided an understanding of where Indiana’s AML companies are positioned on the technology adoption curve.
Creating Next Gen Supply Chains Leveraging Amazon Web Services Technology
AI and ML, advanced analytics, and other cloud technologies are helping manufacturers integrate supply chain data silos, gain new real-time insights for data-driven business decisions, and drive supply chain reinvention. To overcome new challenges and disruptions, supply chains need the capability to evolve with speed and agility. Next-Gen Supply Chains are required to remain competitive and improve profitability, growth, and innovation.
Digital Transformation Pathways with Purdue In-MaC
Purdue’s Indiana Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN-MaC) offers Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics economy a collection of capabilities and expertise to invigorate manufacturing talent pipelines and overcome Industry 4.0 adoption barriers.
Bring Immersive, Interactive 3-D Visualization to Your Business
Unity Technologies is a leader in democratization of AR, VR, and XR with their suite of tools being integrated as the fundamental engine behind many 3D visualization solutions. We heard from a Unity senior technical specialist for automotive, transport and manufacturing about the potential for 3D visualization in manufacturing and logistics.
View all Emerging Technology Showcases.
Peer-to-Peer Network
Event Highlights
Peer-to-Peer Network Forum: AML Technology Ecosystem Focus Group
Conexus Indiana invited 10 AML Tech Ecosystem companies to explore how we can better work together to activate and cultivate relationships between the technology adopters and the technology providers.
Peer-to-Peer Network Forum at Konrady Plastics
Regional subject matter experts convened at Konrady Plastics, a Portage, Indiana-based plastics machining manufacturer, for a peer-to-peer discussion around Konrady’s recent collaborative robot (cobot) investments.
Hardtech Entrepreneurship Event at ADDMAN
A dozen hardtech entrepreneurs from The Heritage Group and gBETA Industry 4.0 Accelerator programs had the opportunity to network amongst their peers and tour an advanced manufacturing facility in Westfield, Indiana.
Hardtech Entrepreneurship Focus Group at SoChatti
A dozen hardtech entrepreneurs from The Heritage Group and gBETA Industry 4.0 Accelerator programs had the opportunity to network amongst their peers and tour an advanced manufacturing facility in Westfield, Indiana.
Advanced Automation & Industry 4.0 Tech Scale-up at the Cummins Fuel Systems Plant
Cummins hosted a tour of its Fuel Systems plant, showcasing several elements of their world-class Fuel Systems facility. The tour included discussions on Cummins’ Industry 4.0 journey and various manufacturing processes that have been implemented to meet market needs. Read the event summary to learn more.
Digital Thread in Manufacturing
Conexus Indiana hosted a Peer-to-Peer Network Forum on Digital Thread in Manufacturing. The concept of Digital Thread is increasing in importance as complexity grows in product design, manufacturing, and life-cycle management. The U.S. Department of Defense is particularly interested to see digital thread concepts implemented across supply chain interactions; however, standards and frameworks are still in the process of developing. Read more about the conversation below.
AR/VR/MR In Manufacturing
Conexus Indiana hosted a Peer-to-Peer Network Forum to explore emerging use cases in manufacturing and logistics for augmented-, mixed-, and virtual reality. Samtec and Rolls-Royce provided insights into their journeys with these technologies, sharing specific examples in electrical connector manufacturing and aerospace and defense.
Emerging Technology Due Diligence
Conexus Indiana and Heartland Ventures held a Peer-to-Peer Network Forum to explore and collect feedback on a collaborative approach to providing Indiana advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) firms with enhanced knowledge, influence and access to emerging technologies in Industry 4.0.
Additive Manufacturing
Cummins and Praxair Surface Technologies led a discussion on March 30, 2021, during Conexus Indiana’s Peer-to-Peer Network forum on the topic of additive manufacturing. Peer participants representing six organizations contributed to the dialogue, which resulted in a number of key learnings and insights on the complexity, costs and human resources needed for success.
Additive Manufacturing
A group of attendees representing five organizations participated in a conversation hosted by manufacturer Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies. The conversation opened with Freudenberg’s recent purchase of a 3D printer for prototyping purposes and their interest in exploring 3D printing as a resource for tool making. The discussion covered a broad scope and scale of additive related topics.
