From simple household products to building components for complex structures, landscapes, and interiors, this summit focused on how Indiana manufacturers could employ Digital Fabrication and Rapid Prototyping processes as one strategy to compete with overseas manufacturing concerns. Products made out of wood, limestone, concrete, steel, plastic, and recycled materials can all be produced faster and cheaper using three-dimensional digital information technology. Current research points to increasing demand for customized architecture and consumer products created through digital technology. This conference illustrated how Indiana companies can tap into these new consumer niches. 

This ATAIN-sponsored event was designed to create a dialog among experts from a variety of disciplines — academics, designers, architects, engineers, contractors, fabricators, furniture-makers, and more — to share information on the digital fabrication and rapid prototyping trends and current research being done in this field. In addition, the conference addressed workforce considerations addressing the skills and training necessary to support digital fabrication. All participants recognized his effort as having the potential to leverage Indiana’s manufacturing strengths and diversifying existing manufacturing companies, growing new business, and increasing manufacturing jobs – all through the power, precision and efficiency of digital technology.

Agenda:
9:30 Registration Begins

10:00 Welcome + Opening Remarks

Jerome McCluskey, Indiana Innovation Network, Baker & Daniels, LLP

David Ferguson, Director of Center for Media Design, Ball State University

10:30 Morning Keynote

David McLean, Vice President, Thornton-Tomasetti Group, Chicago

12:00 Coffee Break

12:10 Panel A

Eva Haviarova, Assistant Professor, Purdue University

James Baker & Robert Davignon, Rose-Hulman Ventures

Jim Flowers, Professor, Ball State University 

12:55 Lunch Keynote

Anthony Birchler, Vice President, A. Zahner Metals, Kansas City 

Digital Definition

2:15 Panel B

George Elvin, Associate Professor, Ball State University

Gregory Luhan, Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky

Kim Pontius, Ivy Tech Community College

3:00 Coffee Break

3:10 Panel C

Vop Osili, Partner, A2SO4 Architects

Steve Crawford, Project Manager, Crown Corr Inc,

Ray Moistner, Executive Director, Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association

Brad Mobley, President, Indiana Limestone Fabricators, Inc.

Moderator: Kevin Klinger, Associate Professor, Ball State University

3:55 Coffee Break

4:05 Panel D

Julie Nagel, Managing Director, Oncological Sciences Center, Purdue University

John Sullivan, Director, Center for Advanced Manufacturing, Purdue University

Kevin Klinger, Associate Professor, Ball State University

4:50 Concluding Remarks

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