Seminar Schedule WITS – Wichita Industrial Trade Show

One of the reasons we have the WITS Show is for the exchange of ideas. At past WITS Shows, we have had knowledgeable speakers on a variety of subjects . It is a good place to see the future and get your questions answered. All seminars are free.

All the seminars are on the first floor east side of the registration area we will have (3) rooms this year 101A , 101B and 102.

We will be updated as we get more information from the presenters. We have never had this many seminars available. We are going to have a very good WITS Show.

Seminar Schedule

WITS 2023 Seminars


TUESDAY

2:30 pm Room 101A Tues Oct 17

COMPANY – QTE MFG Solutions

Presenter – Josh Ryan

TOPIC – Tool Data Management

TUESDAY

2:30 pm Room 101B Tues Oct 17

COMPANY – ACIETA

Presenter – Greg Morehouse

Greg Morehouse – BIO

TOPIC – Robots: Your Key to Employee Retention

Program – It’s common knowledge that robots help manufacturers be more efficient and competitive, but robots also provide big benefits to people. When robots take over the dull, repetitive and exhausting work, people report higher job satisfaction and better health. Steve Alexander from Acieta will discuss examples of manufacturers who have implemented robotics—and how it benefited their employees. Learn how improving the work environment helps manufacturers attract and retain good workers in the midst of a global labor crisis.

Key Point: Learn how employee retention and job satisfaction can improve as a result of implementing robotics.


TUESDAY

2:30 pm Room 102 Tues Oct 17

COMPANY – VIAANIX

Presenter – Jatin “Jay” Taleja

TOPIC – Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things, and Optimizing Efficiencies in Advanced Manufacturing through Connected Data

Program-

  • Real Time Locating System (RTLS) – Asset Tracking/Smart Logistics,
  • Smart/Streamlined Maintenance, Repair, & Operations (MRO),
  • Utility Monitoring – Efficiencies from monitoring power supply data points, and
  • Integrated/Aggregated Platform – Access all data from a comprehensive dashboard.

TUESDAY

4:00 pm Room 101A Tues. Oct. 19

Company – CREAFORM 3D

Presenter – Bret McElroy

Topic – 3D Scanning Hardware & Software for Reverse Engineering and Quality Control

Program –


TUESDAY

4:00 pm Room 101B Tues. Oct. 17

Company – HTE TECH

Presenter –Dave Peker, Universal Robots Certified Trainer

Dave Peker Bio

Topic – The How-To Seminar on using a Collaborative Robot

Program – If you are considering implementing a collaborative robot in your plant, this class is for you. Dave will pick 3 to 6 lucky people from the audience to participate in a short, hands-on, lesson using fully functional Universal Robots collaborative robots, during which you will learn to program the robot to either pick-and-place, or stack-and-unstack, your choice. No prior robotics experience required!

You must pre-register for this class at booth #937, space is very limited.


TUESDAY

4:00 pm Room 102 Tues Oct 17

COMPANY – T3, Wichita State University

Presenter – Fennie Christensen

Topic – Website Design, Development, and Optimization

Program – Your website could be the first thing customers see – is it communicating what you want it to? We can help make your website work as hard as you do. We can put tools in place to allow for monthly metrics to show you who is looking at you, we can integrate forms to capture customer info, we can make your site mobile friendly, we can integrate a database that will provide you with customer metrics.


TUESDAY

5:30 pm Room 101A Tues. Oct 17

Company – CG TECH VERICUT

Presenter – Gregg Francis

Gregg Francis Bio

Topic – Amplify Machine Simulations with Real-Time CNC Machine Connectivity

Program – Connect, stream and monitor what your CNC machines in the shop are doing, in real time, with CNC Machine Connectivity. Establish a more streamlined manufacturing process by connecting and utilizing the data from machines on your shop floor in a highly-accurate Digital Twin, without standing next to the machine.


TUESDAY

5:30 pm Room 101B Tues. Oct. 17

Company – CCG MANUFACTURERS CAPITAL

Presenter – Tim D’ Anza & John Brock

Tim D’ Anza & John Brock BIO’s

Topic – Financing to Support & Enable Growth in a Manufacturing Business

Program – There are a variety of financing options available to manufacturers, and most companies don’t think beyond simple purchase loans. Financing can help manufacturers acquire equipment, increase cash flow, consolidate existing debt, generate working capital, and grow. In short, financing can help manufacturers achieve a multitude of business goals


TUESDAY

5:30 pm Room 102A Tues. Oct. 17

Company – Digitize Designs

Presenter – Kyle Burdine

Topic – State-of-the-Art Metrology & 3D scanning

Program – Dive into cutting-edge metrology and 3D scanning applications and techniques, exploring their transformational impact on precision measurement and digital replication across diverse industries.


WEDNESDAY

11:30 am Room 101A Wed Oct 18
Company – CG TECH VERICUT

Presenter – Gregg Francis

Gregg Francis Bio

Topic – Amplify Machine Simulations with Real-Time CNC Machine Connectivity

Program – Connect, stream and monitor what your CNC machines in the shop are doing, in real time, with CNC Machine Connectivity. Establish a more streamlined manufacturing process by connecting and utilizing the data from machines on your shop floor in a highly-accurate Digital Twin, without standing next to the machine.


WEDNESDAY

11:30 am Room 101B Wed Oct 18

Company – CCG MANUFACTURERS CAPITAL

Presenter – Tim D’ Anza & John Brock

Topic – Financing to Support & Enable Growth in a Manufacturing Business

Program –


WEDNESDAY

11:30 pm -Room 102A Wed Oct 18
Company – ACIETA

Presenter – Mark Cianciosa

Mark Cianciosa – Bio

Topic – Robots prepare manufacturers for an unpredictable future

Program – As we’ve learned the hard way these last couple years, it’s impossible to predict the future. But we know some challenges aren’t going away anytime soon: labor shortages, higher prices for raw materials, and the need to reduce our reliance on overseas suppliers. Robots may be the best way to improve productivity, reduce costs, and fill open jobs.

Key Point: Mark will debunk common myths about robots, share real customer stories about manufacturers using robots, discuss how robots improve productivity and address labor problems, and give advice on starting the process to get a new robot.


WEDNESDAY

1:00 pm Room 101A Wed. Oct. 18

Company – CREAFORM 3D

Presenter – Bret McElroy

Topic – 3D Scanning Hardware & Software for Reverse Engineering and Quality Control

Program –


WEDNESDAY

1:00 pm Room 101B Wed. Oct. 18

Company – HTE TECH

Presenter – Dave Peker, Universal Robots Certified Trainer

Dave Peker Bio

Program – If you are considering implementing a collaborative robot in your plant, this class is for you. Dave will pick 3 to 6 lucky people from the audience to participate in a short, hands-on, lesson using fully functional Universal Robots collaborative robots, during which you will learn to program the robot to either pick-and-place, or stack-and-unstack, your choice. No prior robotics experience required!

You must pre-register for this class at booth #937, space is very limited.


WEDNESDAY

1:00 pm Room 102 Wed. Oct. 18

Company – WILDER SYSTEMS

Presenter – Shane Koppold

Shane Koppold – BIO

Topic – Robotic Drilling Solutions

Program – Wilder System’s Agile Manufacturing Robot (AMR) is a configurable, mobile manufacturing solution that can accurately, repeatably, and safely drill aircraft structures. Using modular end effectors and auto-tool changing, the AMR can drill multiple hole sizes in varying material types and thickness.


WEDNESDAY

2:30 pm Room 10 Wed Oct 18

Company – QTE MFG SOLUTIONS

Presenter – Ryan Mermall

Topic – CIMCO Probing

Program – Join Ryan Mermall for a compelling seminar presentation on CIMCO probing—an innovative tool for manufacturing optimization. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out in the field, this seminar is designed to provide valuable insights into how CIMCO probing can revolutionize the way you approach manufacturing.


WEDNESDAY

2:30 pm Room 101B Wed Oct 18

Company – ACIETA

Presenter – Nick Cowell

Nick Cowell – Bio

Topic – Optimizing Your Welding Automation

Program – Robotic welding systems have evolved over the years and now have the ability to take on more jobs than ever before. With added pressures of labor shortages and global competition, robotic welding technologies are giving manufacturers the ability to improve throughput and quality while at the same time reducing costs and keeping precious operator talents focused on more quality related jobs. Whether you are just beginning or are a seasoned expert in automation, Acieta can take you to the next level.

Key Point: Robotic welding gives manufacturers the ability to maintain consistent throughput and quality during times of low labor availability in the marketplace. Even during times of rising labor costs, robotic welding helps keep production costs low. Join us to learn more.


WEDNESDAY

2:30 pm Room 102 Wed Oct 18

Company – T3, Wichita State University

Presenter – Amy Jones

Topic – Robotic Process Automation (RPA), SMS tool, Task Distribution Tool and more!

Program – We have ready to use business tools that can provide your business with streamlined processes to get even more done. We can also put customized development behind anything you can dream up – we are here to make your day to day life easier.


WEDNESDAY

4:00 pm Room 101A Wed Oct 18

Company – Digitize Designs

Presenter – Kyle Burdine

Topic – 3D Scanning to CAD for Design and Repair

Program – Uncover the integrated power of reverse engineering to CAD creation. Accelerating innovation and speeding up the design and manufacturing process.


WEDNESDAY

4:00 pm Room 101B Wed Oct 18

Company – ACIETA

Presenter – Jake Corning

Jake Corning – Bio

Topic – Is now the time to get a Cobot

Program – Technological advances in collaborative robots for industrial manufacturing have made implementation and operation faster and easier than ever before. Jake Corning from Acieta will discuss two real Midwestern job shops whose recent steps into automation have elevated their positions in the market. Learn how cobots have helped improve efficiency, throughput and quality so companies can thrive in a highly competitive industry.

Key Points

  1. Identify signs that you need to add a cobot to your operation
  2. Debunk robot myths
  3. Calculate ROI for a cobot

WEDNESDAY

4:00 pm Room 102A Wed Oct 18

Company – VIAANIX

Presenter – Jatin “Jay” Taleja

Topic – “The Industrial Internet of Things and Advanced Manufacturing Strategies: Beyond the SMART Factory to Making Your Products “SMART”

Program –

  • IoT Enablement at the OEM level,
  • Smart Products that connect to other Smart products & systems, and
  • A Scalable/Flexible, Smart ecosystem—Unified through an Integrated/Aggregated Platform with all data accessed from a comprehensive dashboard.

THURSDAY

11:30 pm Room 101A Thurs. Oct.19

Company – K-State Pollution Prevention Institute

Presenter – Cris Brazil, PhD

Chris Brazil – Bio

Topic – Pollution Prevention in Kansas: Successful Industry Projects with Metal Fabricators

Program – K-State’s PPI has successfully implemented savings of over $22M and 33K MTCO2e through our pollution prevention (P2) programs. PPI provides P2 assistance to industry and businesses in KS through our internship and technical assistance programs. In this seminar presentation, we will provide an overview of PPI and our available services. We’ll also discuss the most recent projects recommended by our summer interns, who collaborated with the metal fabricators and aerospace industry. Projects improved companies’ environmental footprint with savings in hazardous waste, water, or energy, and resulted in cost savings.


THURSDAY

11:30 am Room 101B Thurs. Oct.19

Company – ACIETA

Presenter – Nick Cowell

Nick Cowell – Bio

Topic – Adapt Your Manufacturing Process: DO MORE WITH LESS

Program – Manufacturers today face a major paradox: high demand for faster lead time and a dwindling workforce. Integrating robotic automation into your manufacturing process frees up floor space and increases productivity, all with fewer workers. Greg Morehouse will expand on the benefits of robotic automation and how to choose the right robotics integrator. He will share real-world examples of how automation has helped Acieta customers address labor shortages, increase capacity, and position their business for future growth.

Key Point:

How do you set yourself apart from other companies to attract and keep good workers? Hire a robot to do the dirty, dull and repetitive work.


THURSDAY

11:30 am Room 102A Thurs. Oct.19

Company – Wilder Systems

Presenter – Shane Koppold

Shane Koppold – BIO

Topic – Augmented Intelligence – Robotic Visual Inspection

Program – By pairing a high-resolution vision system with augment intelligence software capabilities, Wilder System’s Agile Manufacturing Robot enables the operator to accurately, repeatably, and safely inspect aircraft structures.


THURSDAY

1:00 pm Room 101A Thurs. Oct.19

Company – Wolfram Mfg

Presenter – Nathan Byman

Bio Nathan Byman

Topic – I thought these robots were supposed to make everything easier?!

Program – Provide a realistic strategy for machining operations to understand process risks and focus effort on what matters to achieve automation progress ahead of the curve. Emphasis on straight forward quantitative evaluation and proven tools that reduce the barrier to entry and track wins.

Abstract Program Info


THURSDAY

1:00 pm Room 101B Thurs. Oct.19

Company – ACIETA

Presenter – Jake Corning

Jake Corning – Bio

Topic – The hidden factor in calculating a robot’s ROI

Program – Many companies know they need robots to help improve productivity and reduce costs, but they sometimes do nothing for fear of the cost. In reality, robotic systems can have an ROI in as little as 6-12 months. This is because ROI is based on more than just calculating the hourly wage of a human operator to do the same job. There are many other business costs and higher profit potential to consider before figuring out if a robotic system is a good choice for your company. Only when all of these numbers have been calculated will you arrive at a true ROI. Learn about calculating the true ROI of robots with Acieta’s Regional Automation Manager, Steve Apel.

Key Point: Learn how to get started on evaluating robots for your company and calculating the true ROI of robots.


THURSDAY

1:00 pm Room 102A Thurs. Oct.19

Company – PHY-CY.X Security Group,LLC

Presenter – Clint Stevens

Clint Stevens – Bio

Topic – Cyber Security and the Supply Chain

Program – The cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving, where threats to the manufacturing industry and supply chain have never been greater. No longer can companies believe they aren’t a target; it isn’t a matter of if, it’s when and how prepared you are when an attack happens. Learn what threats exist, how they are executed, why your organization is a target and what you can do to build an effective defense in depth security program tailored to your organizational needs.