The intent of the workshop is to provide the participants with the capability to use simulation to analyze and improve organizational performance. The workshop is hands-on, practical, and project focused. Participants will learn how to use FlexSim, a state-of-the-art simulation modeling environment, to address problems in their organization. During the workshop, participants are expected to develop a real, albeit simple, simulation, conduct the appropriate analysis, and present their findings to the class. The workshop is structured so that there is significant time for the participants to interact on a one-on-one basis with MSU modeling experts to facilitate the development of their "real-world" models.

• What is Simulation and Modeling Analysis (SMA)?
• How can SMA improve organizational performance?
• What is involved in a SMA project?
• What is required for a successful simulation project?
• Overview of FlexSim modeling environment and interface
• Model building in FlexSim
• Basic coding in FlexSim
• Importing and exporting data with MS Excel
• Input data parameter and distribution estimatation
• Analysis (generating and interpreting output in FlexSim, using the Experimenter, simple comparisons of alternatives, model validation and verification)
• Other topics generated by the participants

Instructor(s): Travis Hill and Adam Collins, PE

Date(s): Summer 2025 (June 18-19, July 16-17, August 20)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost: $1800.00

Please contact Coretta Price at cprice@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2770 if you have any questions.

This workshop will provide in-depth exposure to ergonomics definitions, goals and background along with discussions and examples of ergonomics tools for ergonomic evaluations and improve the ergonomics of a company.

Professionals and managers with responsibility to improve employee health and safety through incorporating ergonomic principles and methods. These techniques are applicable in both the manufacturing and service industries.

• Overview of Ergonomics: General principals, aims and benefits, measuring the impact of good ergonomics, and human characteristics and limitations.
• Ergonomics Techniques and Methods: Work and task design and evaluation, control and display design, compatibility, and population stereotypes.
• Physical Ergonomics: Musculoskeletal disorders, manual material handling, NIOSH lifting guideline, ergonomic risk assessment, and measurement and information gathering (ergonomics standards, observational skills, checklists).
• Cognitive Ergonomics: Human information processing, mental workload, perceptions of risk and stress, warning design, signal detection theory, and memory.

Instructor(s): Adam Collins, PE

Date(s): July 30, 2025 (Canton, MS)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost: $350.00

Please contact Coretta Price at cprice@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2770 if you have any questions.

This eleven-day workshop is to develop participant skills in the advanced problem-solving techniques that have been popularized under the banner of Six Sigma. Participants will apply these techniques on an approved project. Upon project completion and successfully passing a written examination, participants will receive a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.

Participant Involvement: The training will consist of 11 days scheduled during a five month period. Each participant is required to implement techniques and tools on an approved project that targets substantial benefits to their respective organizations. Each participant will receive consulting support both in and outside the classroom to assist with the successful completion of their project. It is anticipated that significant work outside the classroom will be expected in order to ensure maximum results from the student project.

Who Should Attend: Manufacturing and Quality Engineers and Technicians, Industrial Engineers, individuals supporting Six Sigma projects, and/or individuals looking to achieve their Green Belt Certification.

Instructor(s): Les Goff, Ph.D., Adam Collins, PE and Harry Kitchens

Date(s): Fall 2025 (August 6-7, September 3-4, October 1-2, October 29-30, November 19-20, December 10) Canton, MS

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost: $3000.00

Please contact Coretta Price at cprice@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2770 if you have any questions.

This 11 day workshop requires each student to demonstrate mastery of the Six Sigma Body of knowledge and is accomplished through the participant leading a black belt project which illustrates the DMAIC methodology, use of appropriate statistical tools, and substantial business results. Upon project completion and after successfully passing a written examination participants will receive a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.

Participant Involvement: The training will consist of 11 days scheduled during a five month period. Each participant is required to implement techniques and tools on an approved project that targets substantial benefits to their respective organizations. Each participant will receive consulting support both in and outside the classroom to assist with the successful completion of their project. It is anticipated that significant work outside the classroom will be expected in order to ensure maximum results from the student project.

Who Should Attend: Manufacturing and Quality Engineers and Technicians, Industrial Engineers, individuals supporting Six Sigma projects, and/or individuals looking to achieve their Black Belt Certification.

Instructor(s): Adam Collins, PE, Les Goff, Ph.D. and Harry Kitchens

Date(s): Fall 2025 (August 6-7, September 3-4, October 1-2, October 29-30, November 19-20, December 10) Canton, MS

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost: $3500.00

Please contact Coretta Price at cprice@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2770 if you have any questions.

This two day course will provide an introduction to the concepts of Measurement System Analysis (MSA), which is often referred to as Gage Repeatability & Reproducibility (Gage R&R). Participants will hone their individual skills during a step-by-step, instructor led interactive example using sample demonstration parts.

• Introduction
  • What is MSA (Gage R&R)?
  • Why measurement Error Matters
  • Measurement System Analysis Terms
  • Gage Repeatability
  • Gage Reproducibility
  • Assessing Measurement System Capability
• Classroom Activity
  • Overview of Gage R&R Forms
  • Exercise: Actual Inspection & Data Collection Using Sample Parts
  • Step-by-Step Calculations
  • Interpretation and Explanation of Calculated Results
  • Verification of Results Using Computer Software (Minitab, Excel, etc.)
• In Plant Application
  • Divide the class into teams and perform the Gage R&R on actual inspection equipment
  • Each team present results to the rest of the class.

Who Should Attend? Engineers practicing in any discipline, managers, other technical professionals, and anyone responsible for collection and/or analysis of measurement data.

Participant Involvement: This workshop will provide attendees with basic instruction in the statistical analysis of measured data for the purpose of measurement system validation. Each participant should have a working knowledge of the typical measuring system(s) used in their work or professional environment and an understanding of how related data measurements are collected. The participant's basic understanding of mathematics (average, percentage, & square root, etc.) is assumed. A prior understanding of basic descriptive statistics such as mean, range, and standard deviation is desirable, but these topics will be also be defined and explained during the workshop. Participants will benefit from instructor led lecture, individual hands-on activity, and general discussion on related topics.

Instructor(s): Jonathan Howell and Montrell Marshall

Date(s): August 13-14, 2025 (Canton, MS)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost: $700.00

Please contact Coretta Price at cprice@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2770 if you have any questions.

This two day workshop is structured so that participants gain a solid understanding of the use of Statistical Process Control to drive process improvement. The class is taught through a balance lecture, class discussion, class exercises, and follow-on participant projects. Specific topics include both variables and attribute control charting. Specific variables control charting tools include X-BAR and R charts, as well as X and Moving R. Specific Attribute charting techniques are also presented including P, C, and U Charts. Also process capability indexes are presented and explained (i.e., Cp, Cpk, Pp, Ppk). Throughout the class a strong emphasis is placed on how to connect SPC with root causes oriented problem solving. Key concepts are reinforced through the use of catapults to simulate the real world linkage between SPC and process improvement.

• Basics of Process Variation
• Introduction to the Control Chart
• Using Systematic Problem Solving to Drive Improvement
• How a Control Chart Really Works
• Basic Measures of Process Capability
• SPC Class Exercise using Catapults

Who Should Attend? Manufacturing Engineers, Quality Engineers, Managers, Supervisors, and other professionals.

Instructor(s): Adam Collins, PE

Date(s): August 21-22, 2025 (Canton, MS)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost: $500.00

Please contact Coretta Price at cprice@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2770 if you have any questions.

Course objective is to develop participant skills in the recognition and elimination of Waste, and to improve Flow in their operations. Participants will apply these techniques on an approved project.

Who Should Attend? Manufacturing Engineers, Quality Engineers, Industrial Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Engineering Managers, Plant Managers

Participant Involvement: The training will consist of 4 two-day sessions (i.e., 64 hours of class time) scheduled during a four month period. Each participant is required to implement techniques and tools on an approved project that targets substantial benefits to their respective organizations. Each participant will receive consulting support both in and outside the classroom to assist with the successful completion of their project. It is anticipated that significant work outside the classroom will be expected in order to ensure maximum results from the student project.

Instructor(s): John Moore

Date(s): Fall 2025 (August 27-28 (Communiversity), September 24-25 (Canton), October 22-23 (Communiversity), November 19-20 (Canton))

Time: 8:00AM - 4:00PM

Location: Communiversity - 7003 South Frontage Road Columbus, MS 39701 & MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost: $2900.00

Please contact Coretta Price at cprice@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2770 if you have any questions.

This two-day workshop explores how Industry 4.0 tools can be used to enhance your condition-based monitoring program to increase asset reliability. This is a hands-on interactive workshop that uses the simulated Industry 4.0 factory in our i4.0 Skills Accelerator Lab.

• Industry 4.0 Overview
• Condition Based Monitoring
• Process Control Analysis
• Equipment Criticality Ranking
• Risk Mitigation (RCA/RCM)
• Industry 4.0 Technologies for Maintenance

Reliability engineers, manufacturing managers, process engineers, maintenance engineers, technicians, and maintenance and reliability managers.

Instructor(s): Jonathan Curtis, PE, Jonathan Howell and Mike Burgett

Date(s): August 27-28, 2025

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost: $700.00

Please contact Coretta Price at cprice@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2770 if you have any questions.