International Delegation of Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (IMS) Holds Meeting at CU-ICAR
October 8, 2010
CHARLESTON & GREENVILLE, SC – October 7, 2010 – The Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (IMS)Consortium , an industry-led, global, collaborative manufacturingR&D program, held a meeting in Greenville last week at the CU-ICARcampus. The meeting was hosted by Dr. Thomas R. Kurfess, ClemsonUniversity professor and BMW Chair in Manufacturing.
In attendance were IMS Heads of Delegation representing the 27countries of the European Union, as well as Delegates from Korea,Mexico, Switzerland and the United States. The meeting includedplanning for the 2011 World Manufacturing Forum in Lake Como, Italy.The 2011 Forum will include explorations of future technologies andgovernment policies to support global, innovative manufacturing.
Bob Kiggans (pictured left), U.S. Head of Delegation for IMS and Vice Chair of SCRAaffiliate Advanced Technology International, said that one of theconsortium’s highest priorities is the advancement of sustainablemanufacturing. At last week’s IMS meeting, Kiggans said “The IMSdelegates were quite impressed with the Upstate of South Carolina andthe vibrant economy of the area.” The group visited the BMW plant andits Performance Driving Center during the two-day meeting.
IMS-participating companies from the U.S. include large, leadingmanufacturers such as Rockwell Collins but also numerous small andmedium-sized companies. New IMS initiatives include long-term dataretention for the automotive and aerospace industry. The IMS program isworking from a multi-million dollar 2020 Roadmap which is helping todefine and develop the “factory of the future.”
“SCRA has served as U.S. Head of Delegation for the IMS for more thanfive years. We are helping lead the way in global manufacturingcollaboration,” said Bill Mahoney, SCRA CEO (pictured left).
IMS established five Manufacturing Technology Platforms (MTPs) in 2008.MTP initiatives are: sustainability, energy efficiency, keytechnologies, standards and education.
About IMS
The Intelligent Manufacturing Systems collaboration (IMS) isan industry-led, global, collaborative manufacturing R&D program.Program members include corporations, users and suppliers, universities& research organizations, and governments. Its membership iscomprised of five global regions: the 27 European Union Countries,Korea, Switzerland, Mexico, and the United States. The IMS vision is to:
- enable greater sophistication and professionalism in manufacturing operations
- improve the utilization efficiency of renewable and non-renewable resources
- enlarge and open worldwide markets through new product creation
About SCRA
SCRAis a global leader in applied research and commercialization serviceswith its headquarters in South Carolina. SCRA collaborates to advancetechnology, providing knowledge-based solutions with assured outcomesto industry and government, with the help of research universities inSC, the US and around the world.
About ATI
Advanced Technology International (ATI), aprivate affiliate of SCRA, builds and operates global teams whichdevelop and apply innovative technology solutions. ATI-led programsoffer world-class domain expertise with proven track records ofincreased market transition rates, reduced cost and risk, improvedcapabilities, and higher return on investment for government andcorporate clients.
