NERDIC Industry 4.0 Readiness Ecosystem

New England Regional Defense Industry Collaboration (NERDIC)


The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT) is excited to launch a series of Industry 4.0 Technology Demonstration Projects. This program will deliver a series of technology workshops and demonstrations to showcase how Industry 4.0 technologies can be used to help optimize manufacturing processes in the New England defense manufacturing supply chain. The technologies include generative design, additive manufacturing, augmented reality, and more. The overall aim is to help increase capability and competitiveness for the region’s defense manufacturers.

These projects are part of the NERDIC Industry 4.0 Readiness Ecosystem program. This overall program is aiming to help small and midsize businesses meet new cybersecurity requirements for businesses participating in the defense industry supply chain, create an Industry 4.0 ready defense industry supplier network; and build a suitably skilled regional workforce. 

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About NERDIC

The New England states of Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island received a joint grant from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, U.S. Department of Defense (OLDCC), to create The New England Regional Defense Industry Collaboration (NERDIC). The focus and approach of NERDIC is to build regional collaboration and a multidisciplinary approach to supporting the region’s defense industry supply chain. This includes fostering broad partnerships across the regional ecosystem.

About CCAT

The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc. (CCAT) is an applied technology demonstration and training center that validates, demonstrates, and assists with the adoption of leading-edge technologies into global industrial companies and the advanced manufacturing supply chain, while also providing the training and education necessary to utilize the capability of these advancements and drive efficiency.

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Demonstration Projects →
Events →
Industry 4.0 Readiness
Program Partners

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Demonstration Projects

Apply to participate in a demonstration project and experience how Industry 4.0 technologies can benefit your company.

Eligibility: Defense suppliers located in a New England state (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) are eligible to apply.

Generative Design and Additive Manufacturing – Applications closed
Six companies will be selected to have a part design optimized based on their given loads and constraints. Selected companies will be contacted to supply part information that was described in their technology demonstration request. The optimized designs will then be additively manufactured using program partner technologies:
– Two parts from the generative design outcome will be additively manufactured using the additive technologies at CCAT.
– Two parts from the generative design outcome will be additively manufactured using the additive technologies at the BIC/BSS Additive.
– Two parts from the generative design outcome will be additively manufactured using the additive technologies at UMaine, Advanced Manufacturing Center.

Applied Artificial Intelligence for Industry 4.0 (Presented by Stanley X/Deep How) – Applications closed
Currently, three New England companies are participating in a demonstration pilot project license through the end of July, and DeepHow will share results of the pilot with manufacturing operations input in the July 20 Technology Demonstration webinar.  A later cohort will run and will possibly launch on September 2021 for 60 days.

Augmented Reality for Industry 4.0 (Presented by SphereGen) – Applications closed
For two qualified companies, the pilot will include direct consultation, training and services from SphereGen, and trial use of the HoloLens and your manufacturing needs for five days, with results shared in the technology demonstration webinar in July.

These workshops and demonstrations support New England defense-related businesses to continually build the new skills and capabilities that are emerging as requirements for pursuing business from higher tier contractors in the defense supply chain.

All Events
Robotics & Automation

Technology Demonstration Using Collaborative Robots (Cobots) to Streamline Processes & Drive Efficiencies
Introductory Workshop & Technology Demonstration | Oct 29 @ 12:00 – 1:30 PM | View Recording →

 

Generative Design & Additive Manufacturing

Generative Design – An Introduction in Design Optimization to Fully Realize Additive Manufacturing Benefits
Introductory Workshop I | May 4 @ 12:00 – 1:00 PM | View Recording →
Technology Demonstration I & II | Aug 10 @ 12:00 – 1:30 PM | View Recording →

Introduction to 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing to Assist Traditional Manufacturing
Introductory Workshop II | May 11 @ 12:00 – 1:00 PM | View Recording →
Technology Demonstration I & II | Aug 10 @ 12:00 – 1:30 PM | View Recording →

Benchmarking 3D Printed Parts Manufactured with the Desktop Metal Studio System for Defense Supply – How can installation, maintenance, upgrades and operator training variables affect quality control?
Introductory Workshop III | May 18 @ 12:00 – 1:00 PM | View Recording →
Technology Demonstration III | Aug 17 @ 12:00 – 1:30 PM | View Recording →

Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) and Bound Metal Deposition (BMD) Additive Manufacturing Processes
Introductory Workshop IV| May 25 @ 12:00 – 1:30 PM | View Recording →
Technology Demonstration IV | Sep 14 @ 12:00 – 1:30 PM | View Recording →

Model Based Definition (MBD) – Big Data & Analytics

What is it and how does it help your design & manufacturing process?
Introductory Workshop | June 8 @ 12:00 – 1:00 PM | View Recording →
Technology Demonstration | June 22 @ 12:00 – 1:00 PM | View Recording →

On-Machine Probing Using Model Based Definition (MBD)

Machine Tool Probing for Industry 4.0 – What is it and how does it help your manufacturing process?
Introductory Workshop | June 15 @ 12:00 – 1:00 PM | View Recording →
Technology Demonstration | July 13 @ 12:00 – 1:00 PM | View Recording →

Applied Artificial Intelligence for Industry 4.0

Using AI Technology to Crosstrain & Upskill Employees to Support Industry 4.0 Initiatives and Reduce Supply Chain Risk
Introductory Workshop | April 20 | View Recording →
Technology Demonstration | July 20 @ 12:00 – 1:00 PM | View Recording →

On-Demand Technical Workshops

Want to learn more? Watch Industry 4.0 and digital technology webinars anytime, on-demand. →

Industry 4.0 Readiness


The Industry 4.0 Readiness Ecosystem program will highlight technologies in generative design, additive manufacturing, augmented reality, and more. Click on the graphic below to view the full-screen PDF.

Partners


New England Manufacturing Extension Partnerships
Technology Partners

This webpage was prepared under contract with the State of Vermont, as fiscal agent for the New England Regional Defense Industry Collaboration, with financial support from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, U.S. Department of Defense. The content reflects the views of the New England Regional Defense Collaboration and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the participating states.