Digitizing Legacy Machines: Make Your Manufacturing Data Work for You

You don't need new machines to run a smarter operation.

You need a way to capture what your existing machines already know, and turn that data into decisions that reduce downtime, control costs, and keep your workforce ahead of problems instead of behind them.

That's exactly what this roadshow is about.

• How to identify what production data is worth capturing
• How low-cost sensors connect legacy machines to usable data
• How to visualize that data in dashboards your team will actually use
• How to use it to make faster decisions on downtime, quality, and throughput
• How to calculate ROI and build the internal case for next steps
• Connect with other Virginia manufacturers navigating the same challenges

Most events give you slides about technology. This one puts the technology in your hands, explains the business case, and gives you a roadmap you can use Monday morning.

01 Classroom Curriculum | Virginia Tech

Process → sensor → data → analytics — structured for manufacturers, not computer scientists.

02 Live Tech Demo | VT + Weston Johnson + ThinkIQ

Real sensors and equipment running in the room. See it, touch it, ask questions before you invest.

03 Business Application | Weston Johnson

Every concept translated into manufacturer language — what it costs, what it saves, how to justify it.

Built for the people making decisions inside Virginia manufacturing companies — not consultants, not software vendors. You.

• Plant & Operations Managers — what smart manufacturing can do for output, uptime, and operational costs.
• Engineers & Technical Staff — see the technology live and leave with a clear integration path for your facility.
• Business Owners & Executives — evaluate the ROI, ask the right vendor questions, build a confident adoption roadmap.

Virginia Tech — leads the VSMA classroom curriculum and operates the live smart manufacturing demonstration.

Weston Johnson — showcases smart sensors and defect detection technologies, translating technical concepts into business impact for plant managers and owners.

Rob Schoenthaler — showcases smart manufacturing technologies and ThinkIQ camera systems, translating technical concepts into business impact for plant managers and owners.

This event is one of seven regional roadshow events delivered across Virginia to help manufacturers explore practical applications of smart manufacturing technologies without the need to travel to large industry conferences.

The series is presented through a collaboration of:

• GENEDGE
• Virginia Tech
• Old Dominion University
• Virginia State University
• George Mason University
• Virginia Western Community College

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher GENEDGE Alliance