Manufacturing Technology
Use Manufacturing Technology to Improve Capacity, Efficiency, and Productivity
- Do labor shortages, production bottlenecks, or repetitive tasks limit your capacity?
- Do outdated equipment, processes, or systems impact your production capabilities?
- Do equipment reliability issues, limited data, or unplanned downtime reduce your efficiency?
Improve productivity, increase capacity, make data-driven decisions, and reduce downtime with the right manufacturing technology. The Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) at Georgia Tech helps manufacturers identify, evaluate, implement, and optimize advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technology solutions. From scouting and roadmapping to automation and robotics to data collection and equipment maintenance, our experts work alongside your team to understand your operation and develop practical, sustainable strategies for your unique challenges.
Technology Assessment
Evaluate your processes and identify technology solutions that address production challenges, improve efficiency, and support growth.
Read More
GaMEP assesses your current capabilities, equipment, and processes to identify opportunities for technology improvements and develop practical recommendations tailored to your operation.
GaMEP will:
- Conduct a plant walkthrough to identify technology improvement opportunities.
- Assess your equipment, processes, and team capabilities for execution and maintenance.
- Assist with impact analysis, vendor selection, and implementation planning.
By assessing your technology needs, you will:
- Understand where technology can improve your operations
- Make informed technology investment decisions
- Avoid costly implementation challenges and pitfalls
Technology Roadmapping & Planning
Plan for the successful implementation of new technology with a roadmap that maximizes results and minimizes disruptions.
Read More
GaMEP prepares your employees, facilities, processes, and systems for new technology to help support a smooth and successful transition.
GaMEP will:
- Evaluate the impact of new technology across your facility and teams.
- Develop a plan to minimize installation delays and disruptions.
- Prepare contingency plans and standard work instructions.
By planning for new technology, you will:
- Prepare your facility and team for a successful transition
- Minimize downtime during equipment implementation
- Avoid common implementation delays and problems
Technology Scouting
Identify and evaluate technologies and suppliers that add capabilities, solve production challenges, and support business growth.
Read More
GaMEP uses a systematic, unbiased approach to find and evaluate technology solutions that meet your specific operational needs.
GaMEP will:
- Define your technology challenges, needs, and performance requirements.
- Research and evaluate potential technologies and suppliers.
- Assess technology capabilities and costs for your operation.
By scouting new technologies, you will:
- Discover solutions to complex production challenges
- Select solutions that align with your operational budget and needs
- Expand your manufacturing capabilities
Automation & Robotics
Automate inefficient, labor-intensive, or repetitive processes with advanced manufacturing technologies, including automation and robotics.
Read More
GaMEP evaluates your processes and supports the selection, design, and implementation of automation and robotic solutions, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), collaborative robots (cobots), robotic work cells, and custom equipment.
GaMEP will:
- Analyze your processes to identify automation and robotic opportunities.
- Develop implementation plans and simulate automation designs.
- Support robot, sensor, software, and system deployment.
By implementing automation and robotics, you will:
- Improve consistency and product
- Increase productivity and production capacity
- Reduce downtime, operating costs, and waste
Digital Manufacturing & Data Analytics
Connect, collect, and analyze data with Industry 4.0 technologies that improve performance, optimize processes, and support data-driven decisions.
Read More
GaMEP connects equipment and systems, implements manufacturing execution systems (MES), and applies artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and other digital technologies to transform data into actionable insights.
GaMEP will:
- Identify data collection opportunities that connect equipment, sensors, software, and other digital technologies.
- Develop implementation plans to measure production, monitor equipment health, track downtime, and improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
- Evaluate opportunities to apply AI, data analytics, and ML to identify patterns, predict equipment issues, and improve decision-making.
By using digital manufacturing and data analytics, you will:
- Gain greater visibility into your operation for enhanced decision-making
- Improve equipment performance, operational efficiency, and productivity
- Schedule predictive maintenance and reduce unplanned downtime
Equipment Maintenance & Reliability
Improve equipment reliability with proactive maintenance strategies that reduce breakdowns, downtime, and maintenance costs.
Read More
GaMEP establishes predictive and preventive maintenance practices using equipment monitoring, standardized procedures, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and other reliability strategies.
GaMEP will:
- Assess downtime sources, equipment conditions, and maintenance practices.
- Address contamination, defects, equipment losses, and other unplanned downtime causes.
- Establish inspection procedures and predictive and preventive maintenance practices.
By improving equipment reliability, you will:
- Reduce maintenance costs and unplanned downtime
- Improve equipment performance and production reliability
- Minimize equipment-related quality issues and missed deliveries
Facility Design & Plant Layout
Optimize your facility layout to improve workflow, increase capacity, and reduce material handling and production bottlenecks.
Read More
GaMEP analyzes your facility and develops layout designs that optimize equipment placement, material handling, storage, workflows, and future technology.
GaMEP will:
- Map and analyze your current facility using laser scanning and other advanced layout tools.
- Develop and compare alternative layouts based on material handling, storage, production requirements, and workflow.
- Create a prioritized roadmap for layout improvements and future technology.
By optimizing your plant layout, you will:
- Improve material flow and workflow
- Reduce bottlenecks and unnecessary movement
- Increase capacity and optimize available space
Engineering & Product Design
Design or redesign mechanical components and products to improve manufacturability, reduce costs, and shorten time to market.
Read More
GaMEP provides mechanical engineering expertise to help small manufacturers develop or improve mechanical products using industry-standard processes and tools.
GaMEP will:
- Define your objectives, market needs, and product requirements.
- Develop and refine product concepts using computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE).
- Provide final documentation and connect you with potential contract manufacturers or suppliers.
By partnering with GaMEP on product development, you will:
- Improve manufacturability and product quality
- Accelerate product development and time to market
- Expand your capabilities without hiring additional staff
Technical Skill Development
Build the technical skills your workforce needs to improve productivity, strengthen retention, and prepare employees for evolving manufacturing technology.
Read More
GaMEP provides structured training pathways that help maintenance and production technicians develop, advance, and validate their skills.
GaMEP will:
- Identify technical skill gaps and training needs based on your operation.
- Provide structured training pathways in automation, controls, facilities, services, and operational technology (OT) cybersecurity.
- Help employees develop and validate their skills through industry-recognized certifications.
By developing your technical workforce, you will:
- Build the skills needed to support your equipment and technology
- Accelerate employee onboarding and reduce skill gaps
- Strengthen employee retention and advancement opportunities
Need a Customized Technology Solution?
Manufacturing Industry Training & Events
GaMEP hosts events and training courses designed specifically for manufacturers.
View our upcoming events and open enrollment training sessions below.
Looking for customized training options? Contact your region manager for more information.
Introduction to Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0
Unlock the future of manufacturing with this comprehensive introduction to smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 essentials.
Cybersecurity Basics for Manufacturing
Safeguard your manufacturing operations with this essential course on cybersecurity fundamentals for manufacturers.
Lean First: Preparing Your People and Processes for Smarter Automation
AIM for Tomorrow: Building Tech-Ready Manufacturers
No Current Courses
Additive Manufacturing as a Secondary Process
Applications for Robots
Automated Systems and Control
Industrial Network Integration
Integrating Additive Manufacturing with Traditional Manufacturing
Introduction to Composites
Success Stories
Cascade Corporation Success Story
Equipment Manufacturing Company Takes a Holistic Approach to Achieving Short...
Read More
Corvaglia Closures USA Success Story
Laying the Foundation for Automation
Read More
CJB Industries Success Story
Contract Chemical Manufacturer Enhances Efficiency and Quality
Read MoreArticles
Georgia Manufacturing Extension Project Funding Renewed for Five Years
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded the...
Read More
Smart Manufacturing: How to Plan and Phase Technology Investments
We constantly hear buzzwords like artificial intelligence (AI), industrial internet of things (IoT), Industry 4.0,...
Read More
Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute and Georgia Department of Agriculture Partner to Support Georgia’s Food and Beverage Entrepreneurs Across the State
Agriculture is Georgia’s leading industry, but many farmers and food entrepreneurs often face significant challenges...
Read MoreStay Informed
GaMEP’s monthly Manufacturing Connect newsletter contains articles/white papers, latest industry news, upcoming training courses and events, tools and resources, and more.
Ready to get started?
GaMEP divides the state into ten regions led by region managers, who live and work within the region they serve. Contact your Region Manager or fill out our Contact Us form and a GaMEP team member will get in touch with you shortly.