CAVS Extension

Three-day hands-on course covering the fundamentals of steel processing and its interaction with end-product structure, properties, and performance. Topics to be covered include:

• Chemistry-Process-Structure-Property-Performance (CPSPP) paradigm for material development
• Alloying elements and their effects
• Fundamentals of various steel processing methods
• Overview of steel phases, transformations, and microstructures, and their connection with properties and performance
• Live demonstrations of steel processing including vacuum induction melting, ingot casting, hot rolling, forging/pressing, etc.

Instructor(s): Hongjoo Rhee and Shiraz Mujahid

Date(s): June 16-18, 2026

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: CAVS-Research - 200 Research Blvd, Starkville, MS and Edwards Building - Steel Research 72 Herbert Street, Mississippi State, MS

Cost:$750.00 ¹

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

¹Pricing is contingent upon participant eligibility for state funding. Eligibility will be assessed during registration. For more information about eligibility click here.

Two-day hands-on course covering fundamentals of aluminum alloys and useful characterization methods. Topics to be covered include an overview of the Chemistry-Process-Structure-Property-Performance (CPSPP) paradigm for material development, as well as the effects of alloying elements and processing methods on phases, transformations, and microstructures. Live demonstrations will include aluminum characterization and property assessment (microstructure analysis, mechanical testing, formability testing, etc.). casting, hot/cold rolling, forging/pressing, etc.

Instructor(s): Hongjoo Rhee and Shiraz Mujahid

Date(s): June 23-24, 2026

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: CAVS-Research - 200 Research Blvd, Starkville, MS and Edwards Building - 72 Herbert Street, Mississippi State, MS

Cost:$550.00 ¹

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

¹Pricing is contingent upon participant eligibility for state funding. Eligibility will be assessed during registration. For more information about eligibility click here.

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): June 24-25, 2026 (Canton, MS)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

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

Cost:$175.00 ¹

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

¹Pricing is contingent upon participant eligibility for state funding. Eligibility will be assessed during registration. For more information about eligibility click here.

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 2026 (July 8-9, July 29-30, August 19)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

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

Cost:$475.00 ¹

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

¹Pricing is contingent upon participant eligibility for state funding. Eligibility will be assessed during registration. For more information about eligibility click here.

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 2026 (August 5-6, August 26-27, September 30 - October 1, October 28-29, November 18-19, December 9) Canton, MS

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

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

Cost:$850.00 ¹

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

¹Pricing is contingent upon participant eligibility for state funding. Eligibility will be assessed during registration. For more information about eligibility click here.

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 2026 (August 5-6, August 26-27, September 30 - October 1, October 28-29, November 18-19, December 9) Canton, MS

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

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

Cost:$1025.00 ¹

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

¹Pricing is contingent upon participant eligibility for state funding. Eligibility will be assessed during registration. For more information about eligibility click here.

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 11-12, 2026 (Communiversity)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: Communiversity - 7003 South Frontage Road Columbus, MS 39701

Cost:$200.00 ¹

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

¹Pricing is contingent upon participant eligibility for state funding. Eligibility will be assessed during registration. For more information about eligibility click here.

Lean 101 is a class designed to introduce students to the principles of Lean Manufacturing, focusing on efficiency and waste reduction in processes. Students will learn how to identify and eliminate unnecessary steps through a combination of lectures and hands-on activities.

Instructor(s): William (Billy) Peacock, PE, Harry Kitchens and Montrell Marshall

Date(s): August 18, 2026 (Canton, MS)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

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

Cost:$175.00 ¹

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

¹Pricing is contingent upon participant eligibility for state funding. Eligibility will be assessed during registration. For more information about eligibility click here.