Wednesday, March 25, 2026 9:35 AM – 10:00 AMCGEC Auditorium (Room 215)Keynote Speaker Smart Lamination Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) and Automated Tape Laying (ATL) have progressed from enabling technologies for low-rate, high-performance aerospace programs to foundational production tools for next-generation defense platforms and high-rate commercial aircraft. As the aerospace industry faces increasing pressure to improve affordability, quality, and production rate at the same time, composite manufacturing must evolve from operator-dependent, experience-driven workflows into repeatable, data-driven production systems where quality is built in and not inspected after the fact. This presentation highlights the emerging shift toward “smart lamination,” in which in-process inspection is directly integrated with AFP and ATL machine performance. Recent advances in laser-based surface inspection and 3D digital representations enable real-time detection of gaps, overlaps, tow defects, steering anomalies, and foreign object debris during layup. The session will explore current capabilities and the art of the possible in connecting lamination quality directly to both part performance and machine behavior. Erik LundCTO, Fives Composite and Automated Solutions Erik has been the CTO of Fives Composite and Automated Solutions since 2021 which includes Fives Lund, Fives Cincinnati, and Fives Forest Line. Erik was formerly CEO and CTO at Fives Lund (formerly Lund Engineering) since 2010. His current position involves assisting the Fives Group businesses while also focusing on technical guidance, technical development and customer relationships for the entire Fives Group composites business. While a wide variety of composite manufacturing technology is a deep focus for this team, Erik also works with other industries to develop new manufacturing equipment and processes. 10:30 AM – 10:50 AMCGEC Auditorium (Room 215)Session 1: Smart Composites & AI in Manufacturing Applied AI in Smart Manufacturing Systems: Today & Tomorrow Artificial Intelligence (AI) is THE topic of the hour - praised to solve the most pressing problems of humankind while at the same time damned as the end of civilization as we know it. In manufacturing, every company today has been told by service providers, vendors, and the media that they need to invest in AI and other Smart Manufacturing technologies or face certain failure. At the same time, there is a lack of understanding of how Applied AI and other Smart Manufacturing technologies impact the business models and value creation in a manufacturing and digital supply network context. This seminar highlights recent measurable improvements of AI applications in manufacturing and provides a glimpse at what the future holds. Specifically, we will take a look at a recently completed collaborative project that achieved a 37% reduction in energy and 41% in processing time and an ongoing effort combining federated learning and blockchain technology in manufacturing networks. Following, we will be venturing out a bit by exploring more visionary ‘tomorrow’s’ opportunities of advanced and smart manufacturing technologies. The seminar content is based on projects funded by CESMII, NSF, DoD, NIST, and the EPA, and partially based on the presenter's book 'Digital Supply Networks' by McGraw-Hill that won the IISE Book of the Year 2021 award. Thor Wuest, PhDProfessor & Director, University of South Carolina Dr. Thorsten Wuest is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Director of the Center for Industry Solutions, and Director of Industrial Engineering at the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing at the University of South Carolina. His research focusses on Smart and Advanced Manufacturing, AI/ML incl., Hybrid Analytics and Federated Learning, Industry 4.0, Servitization and Product Service Systems, as well as closed-loop, item-level Product Lifecycle Management. Dr. Wuest's research is funded by a variety of federal agencies (incl. NSF, NIST, DoD, EPA, NIH, CESMII/DoE), international agencies (incl. Thomas Jefferson Fund, DFG, EC, BMBF, etc.), and industry. He is a globally recognized Smart Manufacturing thought leader and one of SME's 20 most influential professors in smart manufacturing. In addition to publishing his work in the premier academic outlets of his field, he was featured by Forbes, Futurism, IndustryWeek, the World Economic Forum, CBC Radio, and World Manufacturing Forum, etc. Dr. Wuest gave invited talks in more than 10 countries, served on Ph.D. committees in 7 countries, published three award-winning books and over 180 peer-reviewed articles in international archival journals and conferences gathering over 15,000 citations to-date. He served as Vice-Chair Americas for the IFIP WG 5.7, is an Associate Editor for the Robotics & Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (RCIM), ASTM Journal Smart and Sustainable Manufacturing Systems (SSMS), and the International Journal of Manufacturing Research (IJMR), and a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Manufacturing Systems (JMSY) and Production & Manufacturing Research (PMR) and several more. He serves on the Advisory Board for various companies and startups, including the Knudsen Institute, Maven Machines, Veepio, and Sustainment. Learn more at www.SmartMfg.info 10:50 AM – 11:10 AMCGEC Auditorium (Room 215)Session 1: Smart Composites & AI in Manufacturing KraussMaffei Composites Technology: Old Dog…New Tricks! How Pioneering Plastics Changes but Stays the Same In this discussion we will explore how some old composite technologies have been reintroduced with new capabilities. How we have combined technologies to reduce cycle time and consolidation of parts. We will also review what technologies we are seeing growth in and what KM sees on the horizon. Dan RozelmanTechnical & Sales Application Manager, KraussMaffei Corporation Dan has been with KraussMaffei’s for almost 4 years, as the Technical & Sales Application Manager for Composites & Surfaces Solutions, He is responsible for managing the technical interface between KM and their customers. He has 20 years of experience in polyurethane, composites, and capital equipment. 11:10 AM – 11:30 AMCGEC Auditorium (Room 215)Session 1: Smart Composites & AI in Manufacturing Towards AFP+ | Enabling Intelligent Automation in Automated Fiber Placement The future of composite manufacturing, particularly Automated Fiber Placement (AFP), is driven by the need for radical transformations through smart manufacturing philosophies. Traditional AFP processes are often siloed, resulting in complex, difficult-to-optimize open-loop systems. This complexity and cost burden creates a significant bottleneck, stalling current optimization efforts and hindering broader adoption beyond aerospace towards emerging markets. This talk outlines a vision moving towards a closed-loop AFP system, termed AFP+ , that seamlessly integrates design, process planning, manufacturing, and inspection via a robust digital thread. This advanced paradigm relies on a digital workflow and cyber-infrastructure to transform data into knowledge, enabling a two-way exchange between the physical machine and its digital twin to actively inform future manufacturing runs. Key functionalities of AFP+ include: Material Independent Automated Process Characterization to streamline setup and optimize parameters for diverse materials; Automated Process Placement for adaptable path trajectory planning and course-based optimization to manage defects and enhance performance ; Manual Inspection Annulment via in-situ machine learning and sensor integration to eliminate a major production bottleneck and provide real-time repair directives ; and Out of Autoclave AFP Composites Manufacturing to expand the process chain beyond conventional curing, reducing costs and limitations. By adopting a hybrid model that combines physical laws with data-driven AI, AFP+ will enable self-organizing production, overcoming complexity and unlocking new advancements across various domains. Ramy HarikDirector of the Clemson Composites Center, Exxon Mobil Employees Endowed Professor, Clemson University Ramy Harik, a Fulbright Alumni, is the Director of the Clemson Composites Center and a Professor of Automotive Engineering at Clemson University. Ramy holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering (B.S./M.S.), Automated Manufacturing (M.S.), and Industrial/Mechanical Engineering (Ph.D.). His teaching focuses on Manufacturing, Smart Manufacturing, and Composites Manufacturing. Harik serves as an Associate Editor for SME Manufacturing Letters and authored the “Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing” textbook published by SAE. He has secured over 15 million USD in funding from NASA, Boeing, and others. Recognized as one of the top 20 influential professors in Smart Manufacturing by SME’s Smart Manufacturing Magazine in 2020, he has extensive teaching experience globally and has supervised over 30 graduate students and founded research initiatives. His book “Manufacturing vs Corruption: Who Wins?” won the 2023 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite for Social/Political Change books. In June 2024, Harik received the SC Governor's Award for Excellence in Scientific Awareness, South Carolina's highest honor for promoting science education and supporting the future workforce. 1:00 PM – 1:20 PMCGEC Auditorium (Room 215)Session 2: Future Materials and Processes Multifunctional Performance of BNNT Hybrid Composites in Space and High-Heat-Flux Environments Materials operating in extreme space and aerospace environments must withstand coupled effects of thermal cycling, radiation, atomic oxygen, high vacuum, and intense aero-thermal loading without loss of structural integrity or functionality. In this work, hybrid composite systems incorporating boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) reinforcement were evaluated using a combined spaceflight and ground-based testing framework. As part of the Materials on the International Space Station Experiment (MISSE-20), BNNT hybrid laminates were exposed for six months on the ISS in multiple flight orientations, capturing environmentally driven degradation under realistic spaceflight conditions. Post-flight characterization assessed surface stability, microstructural evolution, and retention of laminate integrity relative to unexposed regions and ground controls. Complementary HotJet testing was conducted to simulate high heat-flux and convective aero-thermal environments relevant to high-speed flight and re-entry. Together, the MISSE and HotJet results enable direct comparison of degradation mechanisms across disparate extreme environments, providing critical insight into the durability and multifunctional potential of BNNT-reinforced hybrid composites for future space and aerospace systems. Rebekah Downes, PhDAssociate Professor, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Rebekah Downes, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at the FAMU–FSU College of Engineering and a core researcher at the High-Performance Materials Institute (HPMI). Her research focuses on advanced polymer and hybrid composites, with emphasis on nanoreinforced and multifunctional materials, additive manufacturing, and structure–property–performance relationships under extreme environmental conditions. She integrates advanced characterization, thermal and mechanical analysis, and multiscale modeling to inform materials design and manufacturing. Prior to academia, Dr. Downes worked as a research scientist in industry, and she remains strongly engaged in interdisciplinary collaboration, industry partnerships, and student mentorship. 1:20 PM – 1:40 PMCGEC Auditorium (Room 215)Session 2: Future Materials and Processes Enhanced Bond Strength in Composite Structures Through Plasma Modification As a lightweight and strong alternative to metals, composites have become a dominant aerospace manufacturing material. Traditional fastening methods damage the underlying fibers, degrade the long-term performance, and the hardware offsets the weight savings. As a result, adhesives are used in the manufacturing process for composite-to-composite and composite-to-metal bonding. However, composites are non-polar, with low surface free energies (SFEs), and require surface preparations to achieve structural bond strengths. Common methods often require harsh mechanical or chemical treatments and pose high operator and environmental safety hazards. Atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) are a nondestructive surface preparation method that removes contaminants and activates surfaces, increasing SFE, to initiate covalent bonding to adhesives. Air-based plasma achieves cleaning and activation by producing reactive electrons, ions, and free radicals that modify surfaces without etching material. APPJs are scalable, energy efficient, and produce no hazardous waste. In composite-to-composite bonding, APPJ treatment of carbon fiber composites prior to bonding with an epoxy adhesive, showed 40% lap shear strength improvement compared to as-received materials, while plasma treatment showed 7% improvement over grit blasting. Further analysis of bond areas through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imaging showed that grit blasting eroded the surface, exposing underlying carbon fibers. Conversely, plasma treatment slightly increased roughness without exposing fibers. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS analysis) of plasma treated samples showed an increase in oxygen-containing functional groups known to promote covalent bonding to adhesives. Plasma treatments were also compared to other surface modification methods such as solvent wiping, laser ablation, hand sanding and grit blasting. Plasma treatment resulted in higher bond strength than the other methods, without damage or exposure of carbon fibers. This is important as exposed carbon fibers in carbon fiber reinforced polymers used in composite-to-metal bonding create a conductive channel for galvanic corrosion. Plasma treatment provides similar or better bond strength while mitigating the corrosion pathway. Corrosion prevention can be further improved through plasma deposition of a nanoscale anticorrosion barrier tie layer added to metallic substrates. The coating prevents ingress of moisture into the bond line and validated with resistance to a copper sulfate test solution on aluminum coupons. Jake CharlesSales and Business Development Manager, Plasmatreat USA, Inc Based in Greenville, SC, Jake Charles is responsible for the commercial and technical support of Plasmatreat systems and equipment at manufacturers, laboratories, and educational institutions. Jake, along with the Plasmatreat team, have a deep knowledge and understanding of plasma-based surface treatment and its potential uses, applications, and benefits. Prior to Plasmatreat, Jake was a Key Account Manager for Henkel Adhesives where he supported the industrial adhesives, coatings, and specialty chemical product lines. 1:40 PM – 2:00 PMCGEC Auditorium (Room 215)Session 2: Future Materials and Processes Impossible Objects IncorporatedComposite-Based Additive Manufacturing (CBAM)Material & Process Overview The technology overview will present a detailed examination of the engineering principles underlying Impossible Objects’ Composite-Based Additive Manufacturing (CBAM) technology, with emphasis on its capability to produce thermoplastic and thermoset composite components at high production throughput. The presentation will include a comprehensive description of the CBAM process architecture and workflow, along with part design guidelines, available material build configurations, and the resulting mechanical and thermal material properties. In addition, the discussion will highlight current tooling and end-use applications enabled by CBAM composite materials and outline future development initiatives, including the integration of ceramic material systems for high-temperature and extreme-environment applications. Jeff DeGrangeChief Commercial Officer, Impossible Objects Inc Chief Commercial Officer at Impossible Objects, a pioneering Chicago-based company transforming manufacturing with breakthrough 3D carbon fiber technology. Previously served as Vice President at Stratasys, where he co-founded the Additive Manufacturing Vertical Business Unit, driving innovative production applications and expanding the impact of 3D printing across industries. Earlier in his career, he led cutting-edge R&D initiatives at Boeing, focusing on advanced materials, certification, and qualifications of additive manufacturing technologies. His work supported production parts for both defense and commercial aircraft across major Boeing hubs in St. Louis, Seattle, and Los Angeles. A recognized leader in the field, he is co-founder and inaugural chairman of the Direct Manufacturing Research Center in Paderborn, Germany—a collaborative effort advancing the future of direct digital manufacturing. His contributions to the industry have earned him prestigious honors, including being named an SME Technical Fellow and receiving the AMUG Distinguished INNovator Operator (DINO) Award. He holds an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Iowa. He is also an accomplished inventor, holding numerous patents in advanced manufacturing technologies. 2:30 PM – 2:50 PMCGEC Auditorium (Room 215)Session 3: From Characterization Innovation to Commercialization From Concept to Component: Accelerating South Carolina’s Composites Innovation Engine South Carolina’s innovation ecosystem is strongest when it connects industry pull—real problems and market constraints—with research push—capabilities, facilities, and talent—through neutral applied R&D that de-risks adoption and speeds commercialization. This talk explores how South Carolina is building a repeatable pathway to move advanced composites ideas from early concept to qualified, scalable components. It maps the state’s innovation ecosystem across industry, academia, and public-sector enablers, highlighting how applied R&D translation reduces the friction that often stalls collaborations at the proof-of-concept stage. A case story illustrates this “concept to component” engine in action: a manufacturer’s interest in South Carolina—anchored by the Clemson Composites Center—combined with Fraunhofer applied R&D and the SC Fraunhofer USA Alliance to make a differentiating composites innovation economically viable. Marcel Schaefer, PhDSr. Research Scientist, Fraunhofer USA Dr. Marcel Schaefer has been leading the Fraunhofer USA office in South Carolina since March 2021. He is the Senior Program Coordinator for Fraunhofer USA's activities within the South Carolina Fraunhofer USA Alliance, a unique program by the South Carolina Department of Commerce that offers 50% co-funding on all projects with Fraunhofer. Projects so far cover a broad spectrum ranging from Artificial Intelligence, Smart Manufacturing, Industry 4.0, Digitization, Predictive Analytics to sustainability, renewable energy, battery, hydrogen, and other innovative and emerging technologies. Typically, those projects have a strong manufacturing focus. Dr. Marcel Schaefer has been a Senior Research Scientist for Fraunhofer USA since January 2019. From 2009 to 2018, he was with the Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technologies SIT in Darmstadt, Germany. He holds a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Wuppertal, Germany, and a PhD in computer science from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany. As PI, Co-PI, and researcher, Dr. Schaefer has led and worked on various projects that discover new challenges and opportunities broadly spread over the fields of cybersecurity and software engineering in both the public and private sectors. From his office in South Carolina, Marcel is thriving to expand the Fraunhofer brand in the state and the whole southeast region. His goal is to institutionalize Fraunhofer USA as an established organization in South Carolina and to bring the newest technology "made by Fraunhofer" from the global Fraunhofer network into the South. 2:50 PM – 3:10 PMCGEC Auditorium (Room 215)Session 3: From Characterization Innovation to Commercialization From Concept to Cure: Streamlining Composites with the Digital Thread Across the engineering landscape, domains are typically siloed, bridged by ineffective data communication methods. The composites industry is no different, constricted by incomplete data handoffs, lost requirements, and cyclical workflows. With the higher cost of materials, care should be taken to optimize every other aspect of the engineering process to reduce wasted time and money. To streamline the engineering cycle for composites, from conception, through design and analysis, to production, Digital Threads, realized within the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, are deployed to tame the complex workflows. By interconnecting the data with a Product Lifecycle Management backbone, connectivity is ensured, driving true digital transformation. Requirements are associated with designs for continuous verification, while analysts and manufacturing engineers are kept informed to accelerate productivity. With the full digital backbone, true Digital Twins can be realized, enabling real-time tracking of product and production performance for unparalleled operational excellence. Through the construction and deployment of these Digital Twins, autonomous features will be introduced, which will reveal optimizations previously overlooked and enable greater manufacturing flexibility. Drew SanderDigital Thread Automation Engineer, Siemens Digital Industries Software Drew Sander is currently a Digital Thread Automation Engineer with Siemens Digital Industries Software, working to automate digital workflows through agentic deployments. Having graduated from the University of South Carolina with his undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering, Drew then continued to finish his Masters of Science, publishing a thesis titled: Digital Twins for Flexible Manufacturing. With experience in composites manufacturing, industrial robotics, automation programming, and manufacturing simulation, Drew is working to unify the typically siloed domains of design and manufacturing. Outside of work, Drew can be found rock climbing, gaming, or spending time with his dog. 3:10 PM – 3:30 PMCGEC Auditorium (Room 215)Session 3: From Characterization Innovation to Commercialization Making Small Composite Parts Affordable Composite parts trade very well against metallics for large, stiffened-skin parts with processes such as automated fiber placement and tape layup. However, on a typical tactical military aircraft, about 80% of the parts that make up the entire airframe structure weigh less than 20 pounds. Most of these parts are made from metals because composites typically do not do well in the trade studies for parts less than 20 lbs or with surface areas less than 20 square feet. This is driven by poor automation techniques and low throughput. From a processing standpoint three areas need to be addressed: preforming; consolidation/cure; and tool turnaround. Automation of the preforming process for small parts is difficult. It requires new strategies to maximize throughput without huge capital equipment expenditures that scale with volume while maintaining the quality demanded for aerospace/defense applications. Consolidation and curing processes offer significant opportunity to utilize in-situ process monitoring and computational tools to minimize cost and cycle time. Finally, the ability to turn around or change out tools is necessary to support the business case for this class of parts. Press-based processing of thermoplastic and thermoset composites proves to be ideal in addressing all these areas of concern. Mick MaherPresident, Maher & Associates Michael "Mick" Maher is the president and co-founder of Maher & Associates LLC, which he co-founded in September 2016 after five years as a program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Prior to this, Maher was chief of the Composite and Hybrid Materials Branch and Materials Applications Branch at the Army Research Laboratory. He has a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Loyola University Maryland and attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute.
