Advanced Manufacturing Now

SME Media senior editor Michael McConnell, editor Rachel Thomas, and associate editor Nicole Franzese-Dameron sit down to preview the upcoming September issue of Manufacturing Engineering & Technology. In this episode, the editorial team discusses major themes in modern manufacturing, starting with the fast-moving and complex topic of artificial intelligence.

SME Media Editor Rachel Thomas is joined by Shannon Marimón, Executive Director of ReadyCT, and Christine Lawlor-King, Director of STEM and Manufacturing Initiatives, to discuss K-12 workforce development. ReadyCT builds vital connections between education and the manufacturing sector, introducing students to high-paying, rewarding careers in STEM. Shannon and Christine detail the expansion of Connecticut's Robotics 2.0 initiative, including new in-classroom pilots, teacher coaching programs, and regional practice hubs designed to make hands-on robotics accessible to all students.

The manufacturing industry is changing at an unprecedented rate. With this in mind, the upcoming Smart Manufacturing Experience Showcase at IMTS will address the latest challenges, opportunities and how emerging technologies are shaping the future. In this episode, Jamie Goettler, chief revenue officer at BTX Precision, shares his thoughts and vision for "Unscripted Manufacturing: Real-Time Problem Solving Across the Industrial Ecosystem." Potential topics include scaling production, ROI, resolving the skills gap and managing CMMC compliance.

Cara Walton shares the latest benchmarking results about efficiency, ROI, automation, workforce trends, IMTS and more from the consulting company's annual survey. Spoiler: material costs and volatility were the top concern.

Rachael Thomas, editor at SME Media, hosts welding instructors Makayla Baker and Darrell Buchanan from the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program in Danville, Va.