Anton Thomas
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Anton Thomas, Director, Transformation, Michelin North America, Inc
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Anton Thomas, Director, Transformation, Michelin North America, Inc
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Robin Blackburn, Director of The Talent Campus, Michelin North America, Inc
SOUTHEAST Session:
SOUTHEAST Session:
SOUTHEAST Session: Digital twins are rapidly becoming a cornerstone of advanced manufacturing, enabling companies to simulate, optimize, and validate their production processes in a virtual environment before committing to physical execution. This presentation explores the value of digital twins specifically in the domains of CNC machining, robotic automation, and the broader virtual factory. In CNC machining, digital twins replicate the behavior of machines, tools, and part geometries, allowing for precise simulation of toolpaths and real-time detection of potential collisions, over-travel, and inefficiencies. By simulating the exact machine kinematics, spindle dynamics, and tool libraries, manufacturers can reduce setup times, improve part quality, and significantly lower the risk of costly rework or downtime. In robotic work cells, digital twins mirror robotic behavior, motion, and task sequences. This enables manufacturers to program, test, and optimize robot trajectories and tool interactions virtually - ensuring safety, cycle time optimization, and maximum utilization of expensive automation assets. Collision detection, reach analysis, and process synchronization can all be handled digitally before deployment on the shop floor. At the virtual factory level, digital twins provide a holistic view of the entire manufacturing environment - integrating machines, robotics, material flow, operators, and logistics into a unified simulation. This enables strategic decision-making, accurate capacity planning, and the ability to test process changes in a risk-free virtual environment. The result is greater agility, resilience, and efficiency across the entire production lifecycle. Attendees will gain insight into how digital twins reduce risk, increase productivity, and enable smarter planning across manufacturing operations. By harnessing digital twins in CNC machining, robotic systems, and factory-wide simulations, companies can accelerate their journey toward digital transformation and fully realize the promise of Industry 4.0.
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Mark Goodman, Director of North American Commercial Sales, Amatrol
SOUTHEAST Session: America is facing a challenge that threatens our economic future: a widening skills gap between the jobs available in industry and the preparation of our workforce. In this engaging talk, this Presentation will explore why this gap exists—and how we can close it. Drawing from years of experience and insights the presenter will highlights the historical shifts that shaped America’s workforce, the rapid pace of technological change, and the mismatch between traditional education pathways and modern industry needs. The talk will emphasize that this is not just a labor issue, it’s an innovation issue, a productivity issue, and ultimately, a national competitiveness issue. With a practical, solutions-driven approach, Mark Goodman outlines strategies for building stronger partnerships between educators, employers, and policymakers. He shares success stories from companies and training programs that have embraced hands-on learning, technical certifications, and competency-based education to develop a highly skilled workforce.
SOUTHEAST Session: Job shops, mid-size machine shops, and contract manufacturers power much of the world’s production, yet they face persistent constraints: skilled labor shortages, rising complexity, and pressure to deliver faster at lower cost. While AI adoption has taken root in large enterprises, the greatest untapped potential lies with small and mid-sized manufacturers. This session will cover how practical AI solutions can compress programming time, improve productivity and reskill existing and onboard new employees and attract a new generation of talent.
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Ryan Benson, Vice President of Security, CompassMSP
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Steve George, Senior Manager Product Engineering – Solid Rounds, Kennametal