Manufacturing in Uncertain Times — Advanced Manufacturing Live
Release Date: 06/02/2026
How Outstanding Faculty Advisers Are Shaping the Future of Manufacturing Education
Advanced Manufacturing Now
In this episode of the Advanced Manufacturing Now podcast, SME Media Senior Editor Michael McConnell sits down with Dr. Basel Alsayyed of Western Carolina University and Dr. Abdelhakim Al Turk of Kent State University, two recipients of SME’s Distinguished Faculty Advisor Award.
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Countdown to IMTS: Paul Boris, CEO of Murray Mentor
Advanced Manufacturing Now
Check out the latest advanced manufacturing technologies at the Smart Manufacturing Experience Showcase at IMTS in Chicago.
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Can Humans and Robots Safely Work Side by Side?
Advanced Manufacturing Now
On this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Live, Ole Marius Hoel Rindal, PhD, co-founder of Sonair, will explain why most industrial robots are still caged even with increasing development of AI. Sonair has created what it says is the world's first safety-certified ultrasonic sensor. The technology may allow robots out of their cages while helping ensure human coworkers remain safe.
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Countdown to IMTS with Will Healy of Universal Robots and Jake Hall, the Manufacturing Millennial.
Advanced Manufacturing Now
AI and Automation will take center stage at the Smart Manufacturing Experience Showcase during IMTS (Sept. 14-19) in Chicago. Jake Hall and Will Healy join SME's Steve Plumb and Carl Mitroff to talk about the show and the latest manufacturing trends, as well as the Cubs-Tigers rivalry
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The Unsung Heroes of American Manufacturing
Advanced Manufacturing Now
Author and host of Manufacturing Talks Jim Vinoski shares the inspirations of his new book, “American Manufacturing,” which profiles 22 of the country’s most resilient success stories and the innovative people behind them.
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MET: September Preview
Advanced Manufacturing Now
SME Media senior editor Michael McConnell, editor Rachel Thomas, and associate editor Nicole Franzese-Dameron sit down to preview the upcoming September issue of Manufacturing Engineering & Technology. In this episode, the editorial team discusses major themes in modern manufacturing, starting with the fast-moving and complex topic of artificial intelligence.
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Ready, Set, Go: Empowering K-12 Students Through Robotics — Advanced Manufacturing Live
Advanced Manufacturing Now
SME Media Editor Rachel Thomas is joined by Shannon Marimón, Executive Director of ReadyCT, and Christine Lawlor-King, Director of STEM and Manufacturing Initiatives, to discuss K-12 workforce development. ReadyCT builds vital connections between education and the manufacturing sector, introducing students to high-paying, rewarding careers in STEM. Shannon and Christine detail the expansion of Connecticut's Robotics 2.0 initiative, including new in-classroom pilots, teacher coaching programs, and regional practice hubs designed to make hands-on robotics accessible to all students.
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IMTS Unscripted—Real Conversations, Real Solutions
Advanced Manufacturing Now
The manufacturing industry is changing at an unprecedented rate. With this in mind, the upcoming Smart Manufacturing Experience Showcase at IMTS will address the latest challenges, opportunities and how emerging technologies are shaping the future. In this episode, Jamie Goettler, chief revenue officer at BTX Precision, shares his thoughts and vision for “Unscripted Manufacturing: Real-Time Problem Solving Across the Industrial Ecosystem.” Potential topics include scaling production, ROI, resolving the skills gap and managing CMMC compliance.
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Trending Insights From 450 Manufacturing Facilities
Advanced Manufacturing Now
Cara Walton shares the latest benchmarking results about efficiency, ROI, automation, workforce trends, IMTS and more from the consulting company's annual survey. Spoiler: material costs and volatility were the top concern.
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How Augmented Reality Accelerates Hands-On Welding Education
Advanced Manufacturing Now
Rachael Thomas, editor at SME Media, hosts welding instructors Makayla Baker and Darrell Buchanan from the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program in Danville, Va.
info_outlineFrom supply chain volatility and geopolitical unrest to workforce challenges and transformative technologies, manufacturers need to learn how to survive—and thrive—in dynamic environments where flexibility is critical. Quickparts CEO Avi Reichental and SME Media’s Steve Plumb and Michael McConnell discuss what this means for the industry today and how it could impact the future.
Reichental leads Quickparts' global operations, creating components for aerospace, medical and mobility through additive manufacturing.
This episode is a recording of the latest episode of Advanced Manufacturing Live. Previous episodes of Advanced Manufacturing Live are available on advancedmanufacturing.org/live. Follow SME Media on Facebook, LinkedIn, X and YouTube to join us live every other Thursday at 1 p.m. Eastern Time.