Automation Alley - Home Page
Category - Artificial Intelligence
AI is a Lab Diamond's Best Friend for Semiconductors
AI-enabled imaging and analysis are helping Michigan State University researchers grow higher-quality lab diamonds with fewer defects, advancing their potential use as next-generation semiconductor materials while supporting workforce development.
Category - Artificial IntelligenceWorkforce
Google Announces $10M Boost to Power AI in Manufacturing Workforce
Google is investing $10 million through Google.org to support AI-focused training for U.S. manufacturing workers in partnership with the Manufacturing Institute. The initiative aims to close skills gaps and expand access to hands-on, industry-relevant education.
Category - Artificial Intelligence
Effective AI Policy Is Not a Crock-Pot; You Can’t Just Set It and Forget It
Effective AI policy requires deliberate, iterative governance and alignment with business realities—not a slow, hands-off approach—emphasizing active management, clear guardrails, and continuous adaptation as AI evolves.
Category - Innovation
Automotive, Tire, and Battery Leaders are Turning Technology into Long-term Impact
Global automotive, tire and battery manufacturers are increasingly moving toward smart manufacturing.
Category - 3D Printing
When to Use General-Purpose Filament vs. Engineering-Grade Materials
3DXTech explains that PLA and PETG are suitable for early-stage fit and design verification, but parts exposed to heat, load, UV, chemicals, or demanding industrial conditions require engineering-grade materials such as ASA, nylon, polycarbonate, carbon-fiber composites, or high-temperature polymers like PEEK and Ultem.
Category - Cybersecurity
Shielding Your Bottom Line: The Vital Intersection of Cybersecurity and Accounting
Cybersecurity is now a core accounting function, requiring small businesses to integrate internal controls, secure software practices, and employee training to protect sensitive financial data from increasingly common cyber threats.
Category - Big Data
Data Optimization: The Brain of Industrial Intelligence
Manufacturers can unlock real industrial intelligence by unifying fragmented operational data into a single optimized foundation that powers real-time visibility, AI-driven insights, and smarter decision-making.
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How can you reduce measurement cycle times by combining Metrolog with Revo technology?
Safran Landing Systems cut measurement, programming, and analysis cycle times by pairing Metrolog software with Renishaw’s REVO 5-axis technology, improving inspection speed, repeatability, and process reliability for complex landing gear parts.
Category - AutomationAutomotive
Ford and Supplier Deploy Cosmodot’s CDOT Code on EV Battery Housings for Uninterrupted Traceability Across Extreme Processes
See how Ford and its supplier achieved reliable direct part marking on aluminum low pressure die casting (LPDC) EV battery housings, keeping IDs readable through extreme production steps and unlocking real time, part level quality tracking and scrap reduction.
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Siemens Energy Uses Cosmodot’s CDOT Code to Track Transformer Copper Slabs and Verify Returned Parts
Discover how Siemens Energy uses Cosmodot’s CDOT code to directly mark power transformer copper slabs, keeping parts identifiable through in-plant movement and supplier nickel plating and enabling end-to-end, part-level traceability.
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How Floor Robots Increase Safety and Reduce Workloads
Lyons Industries is a family-owned manufacturing company that produces over 1,000 bathtubs and showers each day. Learn how an Industry 4.0 Technology Implementation Grant helped the company jumpstart its Industry 4.0 journey with floor robots.
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How Augmented Reality Is Empowering the Disabled Community
Only about 40% of working-age people with a disability in the U.S. are employed, compared to almost 80% of non-disabled working-age people This is a large gap that has the potential to close significantly through the deployment of Industry 4.0 technologies which also decreases the stigma of hiring people with disabilities over time.
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Case Study: Markforged, SQP Engineering and Strada Percussion Drilling Systems
Using SQP’s Markforged FX20, Strada Percussion Drilling Systems created a lighter, more portable, and ergonomic tool that is rust-proof, user-friendly, and cost-effective, reducing production costs by 30% and lead time from two weeks to two days.
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Verizon and RealBotics: 5G is Coming, Robots get Ready!
Problem Robots sometimes go idle, need a restart or to be repositioned, or drop a part, which can cause production to stop and cost a manufacturer thousands of dollars per minute during an unexpected shut down. Often the solution is as simple as the robot needing the help of a human to keep working; however,
Category - Thought Leaders
The Roadmap to Industry 4.0's Global Future Unveiled
Data is the foundation of Industry 4.0, but a skilled and empowered workforce will enforce this technological change. Learn the key strategies for manufacturers to take on digital transformation.
Category - Thought Leaders
Blockchain Technology Can be a Game-changer for Industry 4.0, Smart Manufacturing
Blockchain technology has moved beyond its cryptocurrency upbringing, serving forward-thinking companies in mitigating supply chain risks and enhancing cybersecurity. Though the technology shows promise, the question of blockchain regulation is a large x-factor in the discussion around its mass adoption. Regulation aside, the future is bright for the technology in Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing.
Category - Thought Leaders
Recruiting Diverse Professionals in Engineering and Technology in Michigan
The field of engineering has work to do when it comes to being inclusive to all genders and races. The GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology (GACET) at Eastern Michigan University seeks to take on this challenge, providing tailor made programs for underrepresented future engineering students.
Category - Thought Leaders
Innovation at the Supplier Level for Electric Vehicle Thermal Systems and Beyond
Lasting innovation doesn’t happen when designing around existing commercial components. Tesla’s “Super Bottle,” as named by Tesla Engineers, revolutionized the way EVs could seamlessly integrate components in 2017. Today, Tesla pushes the EV industry toward designing around a new 48 volt system. This will force tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 suppliers to redesign components, providing an opportunity in the EV market for those agile and iterative enough to compete.
Category - Thought Leaders
Ripple Effect: How Sustainability in The Construction Industry Benefits Manufacturers and Beyond
With an unprecedented amount of construction projects related to the onshoring of manufacturing in progress, U.S. manufacturers with sustainability goals should recognize lasting change starts with building green.
Category - Thought Leaders
Let’s Jumpstart Your Journey to NIST/CMMC Compliance
Identity theft happens too often, companies are losing IP to the tune of billions of dollars every year, and we as a nation are not prepared for a cyber war. Automation Alley members Mettle Ops want to make sure your company is prepared.
Category - Thought Leaders
Empower Your Business Through Automation
How can automation tools empower businesses to leverage their own data to be more efficient and profitable? Automation Alley members Clayton & McKervey offer up some solutions that utilize KPIs, dashboards, forecasting, and analytics to help give you a competitive edge.
Category - 3D PrintingIn The News
The Gap Between Hype and Reality in Additive Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing is moving beyond the hype, as smarter software, better materials, and contract manufacturers make 3D printing more scalable and accessible for small and mid-sized manufacturers.
Category - In The News
Why more and more high-tech companies are choosing to “Make It in Michigan”
US Center for Advanced Manufacturing CEO Cynthia Hutchison is featured in this article on Michigan's manufacturing growth. Michigan's manufacturing expertise, bolstered by over $1.2 billion in federal funding and a focus on semiconductors, is driving...
Category - In The News
CBS News Video: New Initiative Aims to Make 3D Printing More Accessible
Project DIAMOnD CEO Pavan Muzumdar was featured on CBS News speaking about the newly-opened Digital Transformation Center and the goals of additive manufacturing in Michigan.
Category - In The News
Building a Culture of Cyber Resilience in Manufacturing
Cynthia Hutchison, US Center for Advanced Manufacturing CEO, and Katelyn Kontny, Program Manager of the Oakland University Cybersecurity Center at Automation Alley, were quoted in this WEF playbook on cyber resilience in manufacturing. Learn more about how the Forum prioritizes cybersecurity throughout the manufacturing value chain.
Category - CybersecurityIn The News
Automation Alley to open DOE-funded Cybersecurity Center at Oakland University
Automation Alley has been awarded $2 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) to create a university-based cybersecurity center in Michigan.
Category - InnovationPlaybooks
Automation Alley announces 2026 Integr8 Roundtable Series focused on the technologies redefining manufacturing
Six curated roundtables will explore AI, data, automation and global manufacturing trends – with workforce transformation integrated across all topics
Category - Playbooks
The Rise of AI: Shaping Industries Through Intelligent Innovation
Dive into the future of industry with Automation Alley's Integr8 Playbook on artificial intelligence (AI). This comprehensive guide, shaped by leaders in technology, manufacturing, government, and academia, explores the transformative power of AI across sectors. Discover how AI is reshaping workflows, amplifying decision-making capabilities, and driving innovation forward. Uncover insights on navigating the dynamic landscape, embracing breakthroughs, and addressing crucial ethical considerations in the rapid evolution of AI. Join us in revolutionizing how we work, live, and create with this important resource for Industry 4.0 adoption.
Category - Playbooks
Shaping Tomorrow: Mastering Additive Manufacturing
Embark on a journey of discovery with Automation Alley's Integr8 Playbook on Additive Manufacturing, encompassing not only the transformative potential of 3D printing but also the crucial realm of design for additive manufacturing (DFAM). This playbook emerges from a dynamic roundtable discussion where leaders across sectors—technology, manufacturing, government, and academia—converged to explore how additive manufacturing is reshaping industries and necessitating a shift in workforce mindset. With recommendations tailored for industry, academia, and government, this implementation guide equips stakeholders with the insights and strategies needed to embrace the additive manufacturing revolution. Dive into this essential resource and join us in shaping the future of manufacturing.
Category - Playbooks
Navigating the Future: Global Industry 4.0 Trends Standards and Policy
Explore the diverse landscape of Industry 4.0 as nations worldwide navigate unique paths of technological evolution. Each nation contributes to the global conversation on digital transformation in its own way. Despite promising advancements, significant political and social challenges hinder global collaboration, necessitating a renewed commitment to dialogue. This Integr8 Playbook is the output of industry, academic and government collaboration, and emerges as a pivotal resource, aiming to set international standards of excellence and address ethical concerns surrounding transformative technologies. Read the full playbook for actionable insights that will help define the global landscape of technological collaboration and prosperity beyond borders.
Category - Playbooks
Future-Ready Workforce: Navigating Digital Transformation Together
Born from the insights and discussions of our esteemed roundtable participants in industry, academia and government, this workforce playbook serves as a comprehensive guide to navigating the complexities of our new digital world. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, the workforce stands at the forefront of shaping the future of industries. As we embrace artificial intelligence, automation, IoT and other digital technologies, this playbook offers actionable recommendations aimed at empowering organizations to thrive amidst digital disruption. From strategies to upskill and reskill existing talent pools to fostering a culture of innovation, this playbook provides a roadmap for building a resilient and adaptable workforce primed for success in the digital age. It not only identifies key challenges, but also offers practical solutions and best practices gleaned from real-world experiences. By leveraging the insights contained within its pages, stakeholders across industries can gain a competitive advantage, drive operational excellence, and future-proof their businesses against the uncertainties of tomorrow.
Category - Playbooks
Diving Into the Digital Realm: Harnessing the Power of Digital Twins
Unlock the transformative potential of digital twins with our comprehensive digital twin playbook, crafted from insights shared by industry leaders in technology, manufacturing, government, and academia. Discover how digital replicas can revolutionize your operations through predictive maintenance, real-time simulations, and innovative process optimization. Gain practical implementation strategies and real-world success stories that will help you integrate this cutting-edge technology into your organization. Dive in today and lead your industry into a smarter, more efficient future.
Category - Playbooks
Creating a Secure Future: Navigating Cybersecurity Resilience
Explore the evolving cybersecurity threat landscape, proactive defense strategies, and collaborative approaches to safeguard your digital assets. From data breaches to ransomware attacks, this playbook will help businesses better understand the latest trends and best practices in securing the digital future. With insights from industry, academic and policy experts, this playbook is an implementation guide aimed at helping you stay competitive in the evolving digital world.
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What If It Works? Cracking the Shop Floor Knowledge Problem to Empower Operators
Hosted by: Peerox
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Artificial Intelligence with Real Results: How Manufacturing can Benefit or Risk Losing Out
Co-hosted by: TÜV Rheinland, Automation Alley, and Global Auto Mobility
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Why Manufacturers With Clear Strategy Still Hit Growth Ceilings Webinar - May
This free, 3-hour working session is designed for manufacturers, complex service organizations, and funded startups ready to break through stalled growth.
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Why Manufacturers With Clear Strategy Still Hit Growth Ceilings Webinar - Late April
Hosted by: MetaOps
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What does it take to move from AI experimentation to real operational impact?
Hosted by: Lenovo
Category -
Why Manufacturers With Clear Strategy Still Hit Growth Ceilings Webinar - Late June
This free, 3-hour working session is designed for manufacturers, complex service organizations, and funded startups ready to break through stalled growth.
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Automation Alley’s Trade Mission to Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, France
Participate in the leading global exhibition and conference for defense and homeland security. Join the Michigan Pavilion Automation Alley, in partnership with Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), invites Michigan companies to exhibit within our Michigan Pavilion at Eurosatory 2026, the world’s premier defense & homeland security event. With 2,000+ exhibitors from 60+ countries, 76,000+ visitors,
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AI is a Lab Diamond’s Best Friend for Semiconductors
Diamond is more than just a gemstone; it is the hardest natural substance on Earth with exceptional qualities for improving semiconductors — the materials used in electronics, electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. Michigan State University has received...
AI
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When to Use General-Purpose Filament vs. Engineering-Grade Materials
Most engineers start with PLA because it's cost-effective, forgiving, and prints like a dream on a $200 Ender. That's fine, until your prototype warps inside a car on a summer day, or your jig cracks under load, or your outdoor housing turns brittle after six months...
3D Printing
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Shielding Your Bottom Line: The Vital Intersection of Cybersecurity and Accounting
For the modern small business, the accounting department is no longer just a room full of ledgers and calculators; it is the digital nerve center of the entire enterprise. As a consultant working with the Michigan Small Business Development Center (Michigan SBDC), I...
Cybersecurity
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Beyond the Factory Floor: Why Your Smart Manufacturing Strategy Needs IoT and CRM Integration
For the past decade, the "Smart Factory" has been the holy grail of manufacturing. We have invested billions into automation, edge computing, and real-time monitoring. Our machines are talkative streaming runtime data, fault codes, and OEE metrics 24/7. But here is...
IoT
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Top 5 Trends Shaping Motion & Robotics
Introduction: Why Advanced Motion & Robotics are re-shaping Industrial Operations Industrial operations are undergoing a historic transformation. What used to be linear, fixed, and mechanical is becoming adaptive, autonomous and data‑driven. Motion and robotics...
Robotics
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Cosmodot’s CDOT AI Code: A Durable, No-Compromise Part Identification Solution for Industrial Traceability
In every industrial process, part traceability is essential. Without knowing where and how a component was manufactured, it's nearly impossible to perform root cause analysis, manage recalls, or implement quality control. But in manufacturing environments that involve...
Automation
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Google Announces $10M Boost to Power AI in Manufacturing Workforce
New Funding Accelerates AI Training for Manufacturing Workers Across the U.S. Google is stepping up efforts to future-proof the U.S. manufacturing workforce with a $10 million investment through its philanthropic arm, Google.org, aimed at accelerating AI adoption and...
Workforce
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