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MiMfg Magazine
March 2018
Rebecca R. Taylor
Keynote
Center for
Conversation National
Manufacturing Sciences
is the National Center
Q: What
for Manufacturing Sciences?
Taylor: The National Center
for Manufacturing Sciences
(NCMS) is the nation’s largest
cross-industry technology
development organization,
dedicated to improving the
competitiveness and strength of
the U.S. industrial base. As a
member-based consortium,
NCMS leverages its network of
members and partners to research,
develop, demonstrate and
transition innovative technologies
more efficiently, with less risk,
and at a lower cost than going it
alone. NCMS connects indus-
try, government, and education
to work together on technology
development and engage in
unique growth opportunities
for their businesses.
Q: What’s drawn NCMS to
get involved with the MFG
Forum for another year?
Taylor: We’ve been headquartered
in Michigan since NCMS was
establishment more than 30 years
ago. While we are the “national”
center, our roots and our heritage
are in Michigan. Partnering
with MMA on the MFG
Forum allows us to work with
local manufacturers to help them
learn about and adopt leading
manufacturing technologies.
Last year’s event was great for
connecting with these companies
and we are looking forward to
another great Forum in 2018.
Rebecca Taylor, NCMS
Senior Vice President
1 1 Responsible for strategic partnerships,
oversight of all government programs as
well as management of the Washington,
DC office.
1 1 Serves on the Board for the Society of
Manufacturing Engineers, the National
Advanced Mobility Consortium and Girls Inc.
1 1 Sits on the Advisory Board of the Commission
on Innovation, Competitiveness and
Economic Prosperity at the Association
for Public and Land Grant Universities.
manufacturing processes to a new
level by introducing customized
and flexible mass production
technologies and the combination
of physical and digital technologies.
The technologies that are driving
Industry 4.0 include simulation,
big data and analytics, autonomous
robotics, AI and AR, additive
manufacturing, cybersecurity and
the industrial internet of things.
Manufacturers need to understand
and be prepared to incorporate
these new approaches in their
own production environments
to remain competitive.
technologies do we
Q: Why is Industry 4.0 relevant Q: What
need to embrace to be ready
to today’s manufacturer?
Taylor: Industry 4.0 represents
the fourth major shift in modern
manufacturing which takes the
to be part of the autonomous
vehicle movement?
Taylor: Although the idea of
driverless vehicles has been
around for a while, the high
costs have hindered large-scale
production. Acceleration in
R&D efforts in the last decade
has allowed for the development
of new capabilities making
autonomous vehicles possible.
Manufacturers will produce
autonomous vehicles utilizing
new and different technologies
which include sensor and camera
technology, Light Detection and
Ranging (LIDAR) and machine
learning. Cars will need sizeable
computing power and algorithms
that detect out-of-picture, out-
of-sensor data, real-life traffic
situations and give the right
reaction to the vehicle.
Manufacturers are learning
about technical advances, ones that
were never part of a traditional
manned vehicle, and they will
challenge the existing business
models and fortunes of established
manufacturers.
Q: What will I get out of attending
the 2018 MFG Forum?
Taylor: Attendees will hear from
experts in the field of Industry 4.0
and learn what new technologies
they will need to embrace and
the challenges that come along
with them. They will also be
provided resources that they can
incorporate in their own
organizations to plan for the
implementation of new design
and process technology. Most
important, however, is the
networking that happens
throughout the day. It is a great
opportunity to meet with peers,
customers and suppliers and make
connections that will last long
after the one-day Forum.
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