Registration Hours
EAST Session:
EAST Session:
EAST Session: Abstract : Manufacturers are keen and pragmatic on how their capital is used to advance their state of manufacturing. And it is clear to them how investments in physical assets bring operational value. What is not so clear is the value-add of technology to their operations. In this session, you will learn how to translate the value of technology to operations to facilitate internal planning and justification for technology investments. You will learn how to build a business case around technology to show the expected value and ROI of that investment. Using this approach, the project team can report the financial gains to key constituents to help with continued funding and support. Significance/Importance : Manufacturers are keen and pragmatic on how their capital is used to advance their state of manufacturing. And it is clear to them how investments in physical assets bring operational value. What is not so clear is the value-add of technology to their operations. In this session, you will learn how to translate the value of technology to operations to facilitate internal planning and justification for technology investments.
Speaker at EAST: Manoj Thakur, CEO, Driscoll Associates
Speaker at EAST: John McCullough, General Manager, Marketing, Kubotek Kosmos
EAST Session:
EAST Session: Abstract : Enterprise-scale manufacturers continue to expand the use of precise 3D data and connected annotations, called Model-Based Definition (MBD), in place of traditional engineering drawings. The extent to which downstream suppliers are able to respond effectively to this ongoing, cross-industry change will be a significant determining factor on the structure of the manufacturing supply change in future decades. Guidelines from the United States Department of Defense (DoD) are major agents for change in this process. The DoD recognizes that MBD's capacity to support interoperable reuse of data across multiple production systems can accelerate engineering and manufacturing, improve quality, and reduce costs. When major private sector institutions like Deloitte produce findings showing how larger enterprises can gain efficiencies through these practices, expectations grow for the downstream suppliers to align themselves to these changes. For example: Lockheed has already made public that it expects its suppliers to be able to provide inspection data generated in downstream processes to be returned to them, a level of data exchange — the Digital Thread — only possible through integrated MBD processes. Understanding the factors that are currently limiting the expansion of MBD practices, and how technologies are being deployed to overcome those limits, gives perspective to today's manufacturing supplier on how they can prepare for the most imminent developments likely to arise. Significance/Importance : Industry advancement towards model-based definition (MBD) grows with each passing day in many key industries; leading the way are aerospace and defense. Major OEM manufacturers are deeply invested in this process evolution, and there are few if any market pressures influencing factors towards any other direction. Only inertia and cost of entry are acting to constrain this fundamental change.
EAST Session: Abstract : As factories and job shops move towards Industry 4.0, machine tools are becoming more connected, opening up new possibilities for productivity and efficiency. However, this connectivity also brings new cybersecurity risks. Many manufacturers think cybersecurity is just an IT issue, but the reality is that the shop floor is now a prime target for cyberattacks, ransomware, and system breaches that can halt production and damage equipment. In this session, we'll dive into practical, actionable strategies to boost cybersecurity specifically for machine tools and manufacturing systems. You'll learn why modern CNC machines, robots, and connected equipment are at risk, discover common vulnerabilities in connected manufacturing environments, and explore cost-effective cybersecurity best practices tailored for small and medium manufacturers. We'll also discuss how to collaborate with machine builders, software providers, and integrators to build resilient systems, share real-world case studies of attacks and lessons learned, and outline key steps you can take today to reduce risk without slowing down production. Whether you're running a high-mix job shop or a high-volume plant, this session will help you understand cybersecurity from the perspectives of operators, plant managers, and owners, and provide you with a roadmap to protect your business as you modernize operations. Significance/Importance : This presentation is crucial because it equips manufacturers with practical strategies to protect their connected systems from cyber threats, ensuring productivity and safety as they embrace Industry 4.0. Additionally, it will help the shop owner to be compliant with the cybersecurity requirement from the U.S. Deportment of Department of Defense (DoD) and European regulations.
EAST Session: Abstract : In today's highly competitive manufacturing landscape, operational efficiency is more critical than ever. Yet, excessive energy consumption and unplanned downtime remain major challenges, significantly impacting productivity and costs. Traditional maintenance strategies often fail to address the root causes of inefficiencies, leading to unnecessary energy waste and unexpected failures. This session explores Energy-Centered Maintenance (ECM)—a data-driven, AI-powered approach that goes beyond conventional reliability-centered maintenance by integrating energy efficiency as a key decision-making factor. By leveraging advanced IoT sensors, AI-driven analytics, and real-time machine health monitoring, manufacturers can proactively detect faults, minimize energy loss, and extend asset life. Through real-world case studies and industry insights, attendees will learn how ECM enables manufacturers to reduce operational expenses, prevent unplanned downtime, and achieve sustainability goals—all without compromising productivity. The session will also highlight how machine learning and AI-driven predictive analytics help manufacturers make smarter maintenance decisions, optimizing energy use while ensuring equipment reliability. Whether you're looking to cut energy costs, enhance machine uptime, or align with Industry 4.0 and sustainability initiatives, this session will provide practical takeaways to help you transform your maintenance strategy. Significance/Importance : Learning Objectives Understand the limitations of traditional maintenance strategies and how excessive energy waste and unexpected downtime impact manufacturing costs and efficiency. Explore the principles of Energy-Centered Maintenance (ECM) and how AI-driven predictive analytics can optimize machine performance, reduce energy waste, and prevent costly breakdowns.
EAST Session: Manufacturing sales have hit a wall. Deals are taking longer to close and costing more to win. Since 2022, sales cycles have increased by 22%, while win rates have slipped by 17%. In this engaging fireside chat, industry experts will discuss why investing in ecommerce is essential—but notoriously difficult—for manufacturing companies with complex sales environments. From managing global sales teams and navigating intricate buyer journeys to configuring millions of product options, the challenges are vast. Join us to learn: - How to create product discovery experiences that reduce complexity for buyers. - Best practices for optimizing product data to ensure your entire catalog is discoverable and configurable online. - How to leverage insights from digital interactions to drive better business decisions. Don’t miss this candid conversation on how manufacturers are transforming their digital sales approach to boost efficiency, drive revenue, and enhance the buying experience. Significance/Importance: This topic is critical because manufacturing sales are increasingly complex, with deals taking longer to close and win rates declining—sales cycles have increased by 22% and win rates have dropped by 17% since 2022. As manufacturers face mounting pressure to streamline operations and drive revenue, adopting ecommerce solutions is essential. However, the complexity of managing global sales teams, serving thousands of buyers, and configuring millions of product options poses significant challenges. Understanding how to reduce this complexity through effective product discovery, optimized data, and actionable insights is vital for manufacturers striving to remain competitive and enhance their digital transformation journey.
Speaker at EAST: Jeff Crandall, Senior Manager, Additive Technologies, CCAT