MxDFollow3,9004,425

MxD enables U.S. manufacturers to begin making every part better than the last. MxD was formerly known as DMDII.

13 Dec 1205634111785881600

Today was an exciting day at MxD!! Say hello to our shiny new MxD sign 😎 Come visit our newly updated building next week at our Factory Floor Day! https://t.co/Xc3sRYmRRo

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MxD @MxDInnovates·

12 Dec 1205193353874345984

‼️ RFP ALERT ‼️
MxD is excited to fund the development of a real-time system for accurately #measuring, #modeling, #scheduling & optimizing #human interactions with #manufacturing systems. Have a proposal? Submit today! Deadline is 2/28/20! https://t.co/r7m6b0oPrd #tech #mfg

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MxD @MxDInnovates·

10 Dec 1204516126081896448

We can't wait to see you there! Register soon!

ITA@ITAbuzz

🙌UPCOMING EVENT🙌 Join @MxDInnovates, the Digital Manufacturing Institute, as they celebrate the success of their members in a Factory Floor Day on Thursday, December 19th! Register here: https://t.co/gi28wBvusk

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MxD @MxDInnovates·

10 Dec 1204468340565168129

MxD's current RFP seeks #cybersecurity solutions that better secure the supply chain for small and medium #manufacturers. Do you know of a proposal that could meet these qualifications? Submit today! For more info, check out our website: https://t.co/cBcuaC8efJ #supplychain #mfg

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MxD @MxDInnovates·

9 Dec 1204151241087041537

Have you registered for our Factory Floor Day? Don't miss the opportunity to meet with exhibitors, learn about our R&D portfolio, tour our factory floor, and more! Register soon! #manufacturing #factory #technology #innovation #FFD2019

MxD 2019 Factory Floor Day - MxD

bit.ly

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In the News:

PUTMAN MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE 2019 CLASS OF INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING

June 5, 2019

MxD's CEO Chandra Brown was among 27 women named The 2019 class of Influential Women in Manufacturing. The 27 women who join the ranks of IWIM this year are recognized for their change leadership in manufacturing—their risk-embracing work that serves to move the needle on asset management and reliability, digital transformation, workforce development, and other elements critical to ensuring the manufacturing industry’s readiness to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Click here to see the full list of honorees.

AUTODESK ANNOUNCES GENERATIVE DESIGN FIELD LAB AT DMDII

February 20, 2019

Autodesk announced the opening of their Generative Design Field Lab in Chicago as well as their partnership with DMDII.

Read about their experience and explore their promotional video here.

DMDII’S CHANDRA BROWN DISCUSSES INNOVATIVE TECH AND COMPETITIVE U.S. MANUFACTURING ON PODCAST

January 30, 2019

Christine LaFave Grace, of Plant Services magazine, and Chandra Brown, of DMDII, talk about combining innovative digital technology and workforce development to make U.S manufacturing more competitive.

Listen now on iTunes, Youtube, and Google Play.

EAST HIGH LAUNCHES ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PROGRAM

January 4, 2019

Starting in January, students at East High School are participating in an advanced manufacturing pilot program that is available at just two other sites across the country.

CYBER SECURE MANUFACTURING IS SMART MANUFACTURING

January 4, 2019

Large corporations have IT departments with considerable resources. SMMs need all the help they can get to guard against and ward off cyber-attacks.

NEW LEADER, NEW IDEAS AT DMDII

January 4, 2019

The Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII) in September DMDII's Chandra Brown named Chandra Brown its executive director, charging the veteran industrial professional with leading their efforts to, in their words, “Make every part better than the last.

RECREATING THE TECH BOOM OF THE 20TH CENTURY WITH ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

January 4, 2019

The 20^th century saw explosions in technological advancements—man’s landing on the moon, the rise of the information age with the Internet and more.

UI LABS BRINGS IN AN OBAMA-ERA OFFICIAL

September 19, 2018

Chandra Brown, who previously worked in the U.S. Commerce Department, will start next week as executive director of the Digital Manufacturing & Design Innovation Institute.

Read more in Crain's Chicago Business.

3D PRINTING CYBERSECURITY GETS BOOST FROM DMDII AND OTHERS

August 24, 2018

Digital Engineering spotlights DMDII's National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing and its work to lower the educational and cost barriers that manufacturing faces to increase readiness for cyber attacks.

BIG FAST SMART (VULNERABLE) MANUFACTURING

July 31, 2018

The Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII) recently announced that information security expert Koushik Subramanian was named director of its National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing, which launched in March with $750,000 in seed funding from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Read more in Smart Industry.

DMDII NAMES DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL CENTER FOR CYBERSECURITY IN MANUFACTURING

July 19, 2018

The Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute announced that information security expert Koushik Subramanian was named the director of the National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing.

Read more in Advanced Manufacturing.

A SNEAK PEEK INSIDE DMDII

July 19, 2018

UI LABS Chief Technology Officer Kevin McDunn shares his perspective on demystifying the digitalization process, implementing cheap solutions and adapting technologies to a spectrum of environments.

Read more in Smart Industry.

ITA SPOTLIGHT: DMDII

July 13, 2018

The Illinois Technology Association spoke with DMDII Operations Director Kym Wehrle to see how we're equipping manufacturers with the digital tools and expertise they need to begin building every part better than the last.

CRAIN'S TECH 50

July 12, 2018

Crain's Chicago Business named UI LABS CEO Caralynn Nowinski Collens to their 2018 list of the top women in Chicago tech.

Read more in Crain's Chicago Business.

THE FUTURE OF FACTORIES

June 19, 2018

We are living in a society with more moving parts and pieces than ever before. Not only is there more variation in those individual products; there is more customization. From car doors to knee replacement hardware, nearly every product can be customized.

WORKFORCE SUCCESSION IN MANUFACTURING

May 18, 2018

Smart Industry sat down with Michael Fornasiero to discuss the findings of DMDII's "Digital Workforce Succession in Manufacturing" report.

Read more in Smart Industry.

NEW ROLE FOR THE ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL? NEW ARMY FUTURES COMMAND COULD HAVE HUGE IMPACT

April 14, 2018

There could be a role for the Rock Island Arsenal’s factory in the new Army Futures Command, top military officials said Friday, as they toured several parts of the island with Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Cheri Bustos, both Illinois Democrats.

ARSENAL GETTING HIGH-TECH FACTORY UPGRADES

March 30, 2018

The Rock Island Arsenal and a Chicago-based manufacturing innovation hub are implementing a package of technology upgrades on the Arsenal's factory floor that officials say will have a far-reaching impact on its ability to lure work — and speed delivery of material to soldiers in the field.

NEW COLLABORATION SEEKS TO SPEED UP ARSENAL EQUIPMENT DELIVERIES

March 28, 2018

The Rock Island Arsenal is working with the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute in Chicago to help get equipment to the U.S. military more quickly.

INSTITUTE TO DEVELOP CYBERSECURITY HUB FOR MANUFACTURING

March 27, 2018

The Digital Manufacturing Design and Innovation Institute (DMDII) announced the launch of a Cyber Hub for Manufacturing with seed funding from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The hub will serve as a testbed for the creation and adoption of cybersecurity technologies to secure manufacturing shop floors across the United States.

PROTECTING 3D PRINTING FROM CYBER THREATS

March 26, 2018

Earlier this month the Digital Manufacturing Design and Innovation Institute (DMDII) launched a a $750,000 Cyber Hub for Manufacturing intending to tackle the issue of cyber-espionage attacks against the manufacturing sector.

DMDII KICKS OFF CYBERSECURITY INITIATIVE WITH SEED FUNDING FROM PENTAGON

March 12, 2018

The Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII) today kicked off a new cybersecurity initiative focused on manufacturing.

Read more in Advanced Manufacturing.

DOD FUNDS NEW CHICAGO CYBER HUB TO KEEP MANUFACTURERS SAFE FROM HACKERS

March 12, 2018

The U.S. Department of Defense is backing a new “Cyber Hub for Manufacturing” in Chicago that aims to keep manufacturing floors safe from hackers.

UI LABS GETS DEFENSE GRANT TO START CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM

March 12, 2018

A branch of UI LABS has received $750,000 in seed funding from the U.S. Department of Defense to launch a cybersecurity initiative.

Read more in Crain's Chicago Business.

HOW TO "RIDE ON TOP OF TIDAL WAVE OF TECHNOLOGY AND CHANGE"

February 20, 2018

Manufacturers who keep thinking smart manufacturing remains an academic problem run the risk of quick extinction, said panelists gathered for the inaugural Industry 4.0 ThinkTank in Chicago this month.

Read more in Advanced Manufacturing.

SHOWCASE AT AREA & DMDII'S AUGMENTED REALITY WORKSHOP

February 19, 2018

The AREA and DMDII hosted their annual workshop focused on the future of Augmented Reality (AR) in the industrial setting last week at the UI LABS Innovation Center in Chicago.

DIGITAL TOOLS CAN TRANSFORM FOOD AND BEVERAGE PRODUCTION

February 9, 2018

An experiential learning workshop hosted by DMDII was designed to introduce new digital tools available now that can transform the manufacturing environment and redefine how people, processes, and equipment function in future plants.

DEVELOPING A DIGITAL MANUFACTURING AND DESIGN ROADMAP

January 17, 2018

In 1953, Honeywell introduced the T87 Round Thermostat - a ubiquitous and easily recognized device due to its classic round shape. It was easy to manufacture, easy to install, reliable and easy to use.

DMDII OPENS ITS CHICAGO MANUFACTURING FACILITY TO THE PUBLIC

January 10, 2018

The Digital Manufacturing Design and Innovation Institute (DMDII), part of UI Labs, announced Wednesday that it is opening its manufacturing floor to companies and universities that want to conduct tests in real time.

DMDII OPENS ITS MANUFACTURING FLOOR TO THE COMMUNITY

January 10, 2018

The Digital Manufacturing Design and Innovation Institute (DMDII) announces that it is opening its floor to manufacturers and academic institutions needing to quickly test process improvements.

WHY HALT YOUR ASSEMBLY LINE WHEN YOU CAN BORROW THIS ONE

January 10, 2018

A prominent digital manufacturing institute is unveiling a new service: R&D for hire, with a shop floor to run tests and experts on hand to help.

Read more in Crain's Chicago Business.

DMDII DIGITAL DISRUPTION WORKSHOP

December 20, 2017

Digital technology is progressing at a rapid pace while both solutions and challenges continue to emerge and create further complexity for business owners.

HOW 34 ILLINOIS TECH ORGANIZATIONS ARE WORKING TO CLOSE THE DIVERSITY GAP

December 12, 2017

Diversity is a major topic of conversation in tech, but so far, that conversation hasn’t significantly improved representation of women and minorities in the industry.

DIGITAL DISRUPTION TOOLS PROVIDE A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE FACTORY

November 21, 2017

The DMDII, a UI LABS collaboration, hosted a one-day experiential learning workshop to discuss, display and inspire participants about how digital technologies can impact the factory floor.

DISSECTING DIGITAL MANUFACTURING AT UI LABS

November 21, 2017

The Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute has been on our radar for quite some time. And it’s no accident – DMDII (a public-private partnership) is working to answer questions that the manufacturing industry is struggling with.

DMDII TO HOST EVENT ON DIGITAL DISRUPTION IN THE FACTORY

October 20, 2017

The Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute is gearing up for its event, “Digital Disruption: The Factory Floor Transformation” on November 14 at the UI Labs Innovation Center on 1415 N. Cherry Avenue in Chicago.

ILLINOIS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY'S FOURTH REVOLUTION AWARDS

October 19, 2017

mHUB, IMEC and UI LABS celebrated the inaugural Fourth Revolution Awards this week to recognize regional manufacturing for its leadership and innovation as the industry stands on the brink of a new technological revolution.

Read more in Smart Industry.

CHICAGO'S UI LABS OFFERS INSPIRATION FOR ROCK VALLEY COLLEGE MANUFACTURING CENTER

October 13, 2017

A sprawling former window and door factory on Goose Island has become a beehive of digital manufacturing innovation in a little more than three years, and it’s providing ideas for Rockford leaders who want to make a similar transformation at Colman Village.

Read more in the Rockford Register Star.

SMALLER MANUFACTURERS CAN USE AR TO KEEP EYES ON PRIZE

October 12, 2017

As manufacturing becomes ever more complex, tools that assist workers with difficult or unfamiliar tasks are becoming critical to process efficiency and product quality.

Read more in Advanced Manufacturing.

BUILDING THE FACTORY OF THE FUTURE

October 8, 2017

Hyla Soft has been working together with Siemens on an exciting and challenging project for the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII) in Chicago.

AMPLIFYING UB'S "INDUSTRY 4.0" EXPERTISE WORLDWIDE

October 4, 2017

The University at Buffalo Engineering school marks completion of nation’s first comprehensive ‘specialization’ on digital manufacturing for Coursera online learning platform.

Read more from the University at Buffalo.

NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS NEXT-GEN MANUFACTURING ROLES IN THE U.S.

October 3, 2017

The numbers are staggering: Over 3.4 million jobs will become available in manufacturing over the next decade, of which 2 million may go unfilled because of a skills gap, according to a Deloitte study.

CONGRESS MUST KEEP FUNDING THE FUTURE OF MANUFACTURING

September 27, 2017

Congress is now focused on funding the government for the next fiscal year. While there are many big ticket items to address, important federal programs that bolster U.S. manufacturing competitiveness should not get lost in the shuffle.

SIEMENS WORKS WITH DMDII TO INCORPORATE IIOT

August 29, 2017

Siemens has become DMDII’s largest partner, and the two companies are going full steam ahead on developing newer and bolder IIoT technology.

Read more in Power Transmission Engineering.

5 FUTURE JOBS THAT COULD SOLVE THE MANUFACTURING SKILLS GAP

August 22, 2017

Smart factories are a key aspect of the fourth industrial revolution, but a factory can’t evolve into a smart factory unless its workers evolve, too. The skills gap has a lot of manufacturers wondering about what the future holds. Should employers offer more pay to entice existing talent?

DEFINING ROLES IN A DIGITAL AGE

August 21, 2017

In the 1967 film “The Graduate,” family friend Mr. McGuire has one word of advice for young college grad Benjamin Braddock: “plastics.” That was then; 50 years on, the one word of advice today might be “data.”

HIGH-TECH JOBS ARE THE FUTURE OF MANUFACTURING — BUT WHERE ARE THE WORKERS?

August 16, 2017

UI LABS and ManpowerGroup have released a skills analysis identifying165 tech-based jobs that will shape the manufacturing industry in the U.S.

WANNA BE A DIGITAL TWIN ARCHITECT?

August 15, 2017

Manufacturing jobs today include machinist, welder and assembler. In the future, the list might add cybersecurity strategist, digital twin architect and collaborative robotics specialist.

Read more in Crain's Chicago Business.

SIEMENS' STRATEGY FOR CAPTIVATING INTEREST IN MACHINES

August 9, 2017

Siemens recently showcased revamped facilities at the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII) in Chicago and its Technical Application Center in Elk Grove, Illinois.

R&D INDEX: ILLINOIS R&D LANDSCAPE AND PATH FORWARD

July 31, 2017

UI LABS is another organization helping to grow innovation in Illinois. Launched in 2014, UI LABS provides advanced R&D resources in the manufacturing space through its Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII). UI LABS also launched City Digital in 2015, which uses Chicago as a testbed for new urban infrastructure technologies.

MAYOR EMANUEL AND WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO ANNOUNCE NEW COWORKING AND INNOVATION HUB REFERRAL PROGRAM

July 31, 2017

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and World Business Chicago today announced a new Coworking and Innovation Hub Referral Program, which offers companies and entrepreneurs new or relocating to Chicago discounted access to the city’s network of collaboration spaces.

ANNOUNCING THE 2017 COOLEST COMPANIES NOMINEES

July 19, 2017

Over the past month, Chicago Inno has been accepting nominations for its third annual Coolest Companies Competition, a friendly challenge to find, spotlight, and celebrate the local startups and tech companies with the best culture.

RAHM WANTS TO LURE STARTUPS TO CHICAGO WITH DISCOUNTED CO-WORKING SPACES

July 18, 2017

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has a new plan to entice companies to start up in Chicago: cheap co-working space.

8 CHICAGO GROUPS LAND $1 MILLION IN GRANTS TO SPUR ENTREPRENEURSHIP

June 9, 2017

Alongside Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the Blackstone Charitable Foundation and World Business Chicago announced the winners of the first-ever Blackstone Challenge Friday at BLUE1647 in Pilsen.

THE 11 BIGGEST TECH HIRES IN MAY

June 5, 2017

UI LABS announced that it has hired Brenna Berman as the executive director of City Digital, UI LABS’ urban innovation program. Berman was previously the chief information officer for the City of Chicago, where she helped launch the Array of Things project, among other initiatives.

WOMEN, VETERAN AND MINORITY ENTREPRENEURS TO GET BOOST FROM $1M GRANT

June 5, 2017

A $1 million grant from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation to support entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds in Chicago will go to major players 1871 and UI LABS as well as specialty groups Blue1647, Bunker Labs and i.c. stars.

CATERPILLAR TURNS TO STUDENTS FOR FRESH IDEAS

June 5, 2017

Karan Patel's parents were puzzled at first when he told them he was working for Caterpillar.

Read more in Crain's Chicago Business.

THE NEXT INDUSTRIAL R(EVOLUTION)

June 5, 2017

In 1981, as an employee for Graco Robotics, Al Hufstetler often visited manufacturing sites to program and service robotic systems. Inside the dark, poorly ventilated facilities, Hufstetler wore earplugs to block out the sounds of welding automation and die machines stamping sheet metal. In these buildings, machines ran around the clock, and emissions poured unchecked from smokestacks.

MANUFACTURERS COLLABORATE ON AUGMENTED REALITY

May 12, 2017

The use of augmented reality technology in manufacturing is often described as revolutionary, and transformational. Now, two organizations have released the first hardware and software guidelines to help AR technology companies develop products for industrial users.

GLOBAL ECONOMIC SHIFTS BRING UNCERTAINTY IN AUTOMATION

May 8, 2017

Brexit. Trump. Cybersecurity. Skills gap. Customer demands. These and other factors loom large as influencers on manufacturers and their automation decisions, and there remains a lot of uncertainty tied up with much of it. Trends already underway will help shape decisions, but how exactly everything will play out is still unknown.

MANUFACTURERS SHAPE AUGMENTED REALITY'S FUTURE

April 28, 2017

Much of the industrial manufacturing industry is abuzz these days over reports that augmented reality (AR) capabilities will dramatically change how these companies develop, manufacture and service products.

MANUFACTURERS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF AUGMENTED REALITY

April 27, 2017

The first global functional requirements guidelines document created to introduce and rollout augmented reality (AR) on the manufacturing floor was released this month by the Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance (AREA) and UI LABS.

WINTRUST BUSINESS LUNCH 4/27/17: WORK SPOUSES, PRE-K EDUCATION, & UI LABS

April 27, 2017

Suzanne Muchin spoke with Caralynn Collens (CEO of UI Labs) about the real possibilities of smart cities and how Chicago is leading the pack.

Listen on WGN Radio.

DIGITAL MANUFACTURING'S DIGITAL CLASSROOM

April 24, 2017

Early this year, UI Labs launched an educational series focused on harnessing data to make American factories more efficient and competitive.

Read more in Smart Industry.

IS AUGMENTED REALITY FOR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS ABOUT TO TAKE OFF?

April 20, 2017

Augmented reality isn’t just for Pokémon Go. As AR technology matures, it’s increasingly being targeted at the energy and utilities market, as well as manufacturing and other industrial use cases.

FACTORY ARCHITECTURE IN THE AGE OF INDUSTRY 4.0

April 19, 2017

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us. This new paradigm, known simply as Industry 4.0, reimagines how we make things by changing our relationship to production through digital and advanced fabrication technologies, artificial intelligence, and smart and green machines.

USE MACHINE LEARNING TO ADVANCE OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

April 19, 2017

Applying any new technology to business has its challenges. Early adopters must wrestle with nascent and untested methodologies, overcome a lack of understanding and resources, and suffer risks to existing operations.

Read more in Smart Industry.

MANUFACTURERS SHAPE THE FUTURE OF AUGMENTED REALITY

April 18, 2017

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that is set to radically transform the way OEMs and manufacturers perform maintenance and repair operations. Several large manufacturing companies have already begun using AR in their facilities and in the field to service equipment.

MANUFACTURERS SPELL OUT AR NEEDS

April 17, 2017

Some of the biggest names in manufacturing are collaborating to ensure the industry fully capitalizes on the potential of augmented reality (AR) technologies. To help AR providers develop products which meet the needs of manufacturers, a set of practical guidelines has been released.

UB ADVANCED MANUFACTURING MOOC'S PULL IN 180 STUDENTS FROM 26 COUNTRIES

April 12, 2017

A total of 180 people from 26 countries enrolled in the first three University at Buffalo massive open online courses (MOOC) aimed at using data to support manufacturing operations.

DUCKWORTH VISITS UI LABS, HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF ILLINOIS'S ADVANCED MANUFACTURING CAPACITY

April 12, 2017

Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) visited UI Labs and the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII) with Million Women Mentors Illinois State Chair Jenny Kopach to discuss DMDII’s critical work to support advanced manufacturing in Illinois.

MANUFACTURERS UNITE TO DEVELOP AR GUIDELINES FOR SMART FACTORIES OF THE FUTURE

April 12, 2017

Chicago’s manufacturing innovation accelerator UI LABS and the Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance headquartered in Wakefield, MA, have released the world’s first augmented reality (AR) guidelines for industrial use.

HERE'S WHY P&G CREATED GUIDELINES FOR "AUGMENTED REALITY" EQUIPMENT

April 11, 2017

Procter & Gamble Co. played a lead role in the development of the world’s first guidelines on functional requirements for augmented reality hardware and software, which were revealed today.

Read more in the Cincinnati Business Courier.

FUNCTIONAL GUIDELINES FOR MANUFACTURERS WILL SHAPE THE FUTURE OF AR TECHNOLOGY

April 11, 2017

The first augmented reality hardware and software functional requirements guidelines have been released today by UI LABS and the Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance (AREA).

NEW GUIDELINES POINT TO AN AUGMENTED FUTURE

April 11, 2017

Lockheed Martin, Proctor & Gamble and Caterpillar have joined with 62 other organizations to create hardware and software guidelines for using augmented reality (AR) on the manufacturing floor. The guidelines are designed to guide AR technology vendors in developing future products for industrial businesses, both large and small. UI Labs and the Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance (AREA) announced the guidelines in a document released on Tuesday.

DISTRICT 211 STUDENTS SEE BRIGHT FUTURE IN MANUFACTURING

April 7, 2017

"Augmented reality," the increasing use of Internet-connected equipment and a peek into a life of financial security were among the aspects of a career in advanced manufacturing students from Palatine and Schaumburg high schools sampled Friday.

WHO'S THAT SITTING IN THIS PENNY? IT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU

April 6, 2017

Did you know there are two Abe Lincolns on many pennies?

A super-high-tech machine showcased during a recent tour of UI Labs revealed a little-known fact about the back of a U.S. penny: an extremely tiny President Abraham Lincoln sitting in his chair in the middle of the Lincoln Memorial.

WHAT’S THE SECRET TO MANUFACTURING 4.0?

April 1, 2017

The U.S. Manufacturing Sector has had an incredible run over the past few decades. Fueled by technological progress and automation, our factories today produce more than twice as much as they did in 1984 and their value-added output is at an all-time high. But there are signs that all is not well. Since the so-called Great Recession of 2007-2009, the decades-long, meteoric rise in industrial output per worker has plateaued and productivity growth has stalled. It is a challenge that can’t be solved with better technology alone. Fundamentally, it is about people and skills.

Read more in the Manufacturing Leadership Journal.

DIGITAL MANUFACTURING GETS ITS FIRST OPEN ONLINE COURSE

January 27, 2017

Engineers and scientists can do all the research and development in the world on digital connectivity in the factory, but it won’t have much impact if manufacturing executives don’t understand its reach and how to apply it to their own shop floors. “Part of the process is to make sure we build an awareness of what do we mean by digital manufacturing,” said Caralynn Nowinski Collens, CEO of UI Labs, a public-private innovation accelerator. “What does it mean to have a connected supply chain, connected factory?”

TECH IS CHANGING MANUFACTURING. THESE CLASSES COULD HELP PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES ADAPT.

January 23, 2017

Experts agree that automation is coming to American manufacturing, but many employers and workers still have to learn how to adapt.
An upcoming online course on digital manufacturing and design aims to address questions about the future of manufacturing.

START-UPS IN CHICAGO FIND THAT FOCUS ON B2B CLIENTS PAYS OFF

December 15, 2016

When Jim Boccarossa met Stephanie Murphy, he did not know anything about the aviation industry. She had spent 10 years in the business, however, brokering spare parts.

CHICAGO'S HANDS-ON APPROACH TO INNOVATION ACCELERATORS

December 8, 2016

UI LABS is unique among innovation accelerators because of the degree to which a municipal government—in this case Chicago’s—is involved with developing, deploying and testing its urban solutions. Established in 2014, the accelerator brings together more than 300 university and industry partners—hence the “UI”—under two labs: the Digital Manufacturing & Design Innovation Institute, focused on improving American competitiveness, and City Digital, centered around smart technology...

Digital Manufacturing Creates New Roles

October 3, 2016

A CNC operator working with a collaborative robot needs a different skillset than an operator working alone. The same is true for someone working in an assembly cell.

Read more in the Milwaukee Business Times.