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Errol Burrell

Speaker at SOUTHWEST: Errol Burrell, National Product Manager, Matsuura USA

Digital Threads and Smart Factories: The IoT Advantage in Manufacturing

SOUTHWEST Session: As global manufacturing enters the next wave of industrial transformation, the convergence of digital threads and IoT is reshaping the way products are designed, built, and maintained. A digital thread creates a seamless flow of data across the product lifecycle — from design and engineering to production and aftermarket service. When paired with IoT-enabled smart factories, this integration unlocks unprecedented operational visibility, agility, and intelligence. This session explores how manufacturers are leveraging IoT to create connected ecosystems that power predictive maintenance, real-time quality control, autonomous operations, and closed-loop decision-making. We will discuss practical frameworks for implementing digital threads and highlight ROI-driven success stories from discrete and process manufacturing. Participants will walk away with a clear understanding of: The role of IoT sensors, edge computing, and AI in transforming factory floors Use cases that demonstrate measurable gains in OEE, sustainability, and workforce efficiency A roadmap for integrating IoT into existing manufacturing systems without disrupting operations This talk is essential for manufacturing leaders looking to accelerate their Industry 4.0 journey and future-proof their operations through connected intelligence.  

Matt Jones

Speaker at SOUTHWEST: Matt Jones, Head of GTM, NA, Augmentus Robotics

Overcoming Variability Challenges in Surface Processes with Adaptive Automation

SOUTHWEST Session: Manufacturers increasingly struggle with robotic surface finishing, treatment, and welding as production shifts toward high-mix, high-variability manufacturing. Traditional robotic systems demand time-consuming, manual programming—often taking days or weeks to accommodate complex geometries. These systems also lack adaptive capabilities, making it difficult to compensate for part variations. The result: costly manual touchups, process inefficiencies, and production delays.   Augmentus transforms robotic surface applications by combining advanced 3D scanning with automated toolpath generation. By eliminating the need for manual programming and enabling seamless adaptation to part variations, Augmentus delivers greater accuracy, reduced rework, and significantly improved operational efficiency.   This presentation explores how Augmentus overcomes key industry barriers—empowering manufacturers with precision, adaptability, and unmatched process efficiency across surface finishing, surface treatment, and welding applications.

Austin Justice

Speaker at SOUTHWEST: Austin Justice, Vice President, CMMC Compliance Guide

Arjun Subramaniam

Speaker at SOUTHWEST: Arjun Subramaniam, Director of Robotics and AI, Blue Onyx Systems

Cobots vs Robots: Finding the Right Fit for Your Floor

SOUTHWEST Session: In today’s fast-evolving manufacturing environment, automation is no longer a one-size-fits-all solution. This session will explore the critical decision between deploying collaborative robots (cobots) and traditional industrial robots, offering clarity around when each choice makes strategic sense. While industrial robots excel in high-volume, high-speed, heavy-load operations—thriving in fenced-off cells for repetitive tasks—cobots are designed for safe, direct interaction with human workers, offering flexibility, ease of redeployment and quicker changeover.    Attendees will gain a framework for matching automation type to production need: evaluating criteria such as payload, cycle time, workspace environment, operator exposure, and change-frequency. We’ll also cover key trade-offs including installation cost, safety infrastructure, reprogramming agility and human-robot collaboration.    Through real-world use-cases and decision lenses, you’ll walk away with actionable guidance: when to choose a cobot for tasks like machine tending, light assembly or flexible layouts; when an industrial robot remains the superior option for brute strength, continuous throughput and long runs; and how future-oriented operations can combine both in hybrid strategies.    Join us if you’re looking to move beyond buzzwords and make informed automation choices that align with both current realities and future factory goals.

Tyler Boykin

Speaker at SOUTHWEST: Tyler Boykin, Vice President, Orases

Winning with AI: The Manufacturer’s Guide to a Successful AI Journey

SOUTHWEST Session: Most manufacturers begin their AI journey with high expectations, yet research shows that 95 percent of GenAI projects fail to create real business value. A common trap is the shiny object syndrome, where leaders and empowered employees chase trendy tools that look impressive but do little to address core operational challenges. This is why only 5 percent of enterprise-built AI tools ever make it into production. The companies that succeed take a different path. They delve into the business itself, uncovering where AI can make the most significant difference. Predictive maintenance that prevents costly downtime, quality control that reduces waste, and supply chain optimization that improves resilience are just a few areas where measurable impact becomes possible. What often separates success from failure is expertise. Internal teams, no matter how skilled, can be limited by organizational bias, resource gaps, and familiar ways of thinking. That is why internal builds succeed only a third of the time. Third-party AI experts, on the other hand, bring fresh perspectives that identify blind spots, challenge assumptions, and apply proven frameworks that raise the success rate to nearly 70 percent. With the proper guidance, AI stops being an expensive experiment and becomes a powerful, revenue-generating asset. For manufacturers, this shift marks the difference between falling behind and building a sustainable competitive edge.