CAVS Extension

This two day workshop is structured so that participants gain a solid understanding of the use of AutoCAD computer aided design software. The class is taught through a balance lecture, class discussion, and in-class exercises. Time will also be allocated to discuss user specific needs and solutions. Specific topics include basic sketching, dimensioning, block creation and editing and proper usage of layers.

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

Date(s): October 13-14, 2026 (Canton, MS)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

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

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.

This workshop introduces participants to Microsoft Power Automate as a powerful tool for streamlining and digitizing manufacturing workflows. Attendees will learn how to build automated processes that connect data, systems, and people, reducing manual tasks and improving operational efficiency. The curriculum covers flow creation, integration with manufacturing platforms, and real-world use cases such as maintenance tracking, inventory alerts, and production reporting. Designed for professionals in manufacturing and operations, no programming experience is required.

Instructor(s): Martin Konrad and Jonathan Howell

Date(s): October 26, 2026 (Communiversity)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

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

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.

With the increasing amount of data being generated from Industry 4.0 equipment, dashboards are a useful way to visualize and analyze this data. This workshop focuses on the visual exploration of this data and the development of digital dashboards to provide usable information and aid decision making for management, engineers and shop floor personnel. We will utilize Microsoft Power BI to extract data, transform data and generate visuals to help analyze industrial systems. The workshop will be highly interactive and include practical hands-on examples.

• Overview of Microsoft Power BI
• Data Sources
• Data Transformations
• Dashboard Development
• Data Analysis
• Power BI Service
• Hands-on Examples

Managers and technical professionals interested in analyzing and visualizing Industry 4.0 data.

Instructor(s): Travis Hill and Martin Konrad

Date(s): October 27-28, 2026 (Communiversity)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

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

Cost:$275.00 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 hands-on workshop introduces participants to Microsoft Power Apps as a tool for creating custom applications that support smart manufacturing initiatives. Attendees will learn how to design and deploy low-code solutions to streamline data collection, automate workflows, and enhance visibility across production systems. The curriculum covers app development fundamentals, integration with manufacturing data sources, and real-world use cases tailored to industrial environments. No prior coding experience is required, ideal for engineers, technicians, and operations professionals seeking to modernize their processes.

Instructor(s): Travis Hill and Jonathan Howell

Date(s): October 29-30, 2026 (Communiversity)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

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

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 comprehensive workshop provides a structured, end-to-end approach to understanding, implementing, and sustaining Industry 4.0 technologies in manufacturing environments.

Participants will gain:

• A foundational overview of current and emerging technologies such as AI, digital twins, machine vision, and predictive maintenance.
• A step-by-step guide to integrating these technologies into production systems, including ROI calculations and cost-benefit analysis. Strategic planning tools to develop a sustainable roadmap for digital transformation, with a focus on maintainability, scalability, and long-term value creation.

Designed for manufacturing professionals, engineers, and decision-makers, this workshop bridges the gap between technical implementation and strategic execution, empowering participants to lead successful Industry 4.0 initiatives.

Instructor(s): Jonathan Howell and William (Billy) Peacock, PE

Date(s): November 4-5, 2026 (Canton, MS)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

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

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 will equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to rank the criticality of machines/assets within a manufacturing environment and to implement Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) effectively. This allows them to identify and prioritize failure modes, assess risks, and develop mitigation strategies. This is a hands-on interactive workshop that uses the simulated Industry 4.0 factory in our CAVS-E Experiential Learning Lab (C.E.L.L.).

• FMEA (History, Purpose, Implementation)
• Asset Criticality Ranking (Purpose, Implementation)
• Risk Mitigation
• Condition Based Monitoring
• Hands on Activities

Maintenance Managers, Manufacturing Managers, Maintenance Engineers, Maintenance Technicians, Process Engineers, Reliability Engineers, Reliability Managers.

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

Date(s): November 11-12, 2026 (Canton, MS)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

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

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.

This 3-day (24 Hours) course covers the tasks that an operator, technician, engineer or programmer needs to setup, record and/or troubleshoot programs on a FANUC CRX-Series Collaborative Robot.

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Understand the different types of collaborative operation.
• Understand the requirements for unpacking and installing a new CRX-Series robot.
• Become familiar with the Tablet Teach Pendant and CRX User Interface.
• Perform a backup and restore.
• Jog the robot by manual guidance.
• Create and test motion programs to pick and place workpieces.
• Gain an understand of collaborative functions related to a CRX-Series robot.

The course consists of lectures, chapter reviews, demonstrations, and a series of lab exercises designed to reinforce what the student has learned. In addition to lab exercises, a pre-test and a post-test are used to measure mastery of objectives. Through our partnership with Aim Up, Carver Middleton will provide support for the training program.

This course is intended for the person who must set up and record a program on a Collaborative Series Robot.

Instructor(s): Jonathan Howell

Date(s): December 1-3, 2026

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 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): December 2-3, 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.