A SIMPLE STEP TOWARD AUTOMATION

An Unbiased Assessment of Your Automation Opportunities

Automation can be an intimidating topic and a daunting task for the vast majority of manufacturers in Tennessee that do not have an automation engineer on staff. University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (UT CIS) advanced technology specialists can complete an unbiased on-site automation assessment.

There are many reasons why small- and medium sized manufacturers like you automate some of their operations, including:

  • Lack of workforce
  • Quality issues
  • Capacity constraints and bottlenecks
  • Supply chain issues
REQUEST FREE CONSULTATION

The Team

The University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (UT CIS) is an agency of the UT Institute of Public Service and has served the manufacturing ecosystem in Tennessee since 1963. Our Solutions Consultant team represents Tennessee’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership by providing a variety of services for small and mid-sized manufacturers and businesses across all 95 counties.

Our Network

We have a vast network of stakeholders we can tap into for advice on how to help you. Our network includes specialists and partners from the MEP National Network™, state and local workforce and economic development agencies, and federally funded laboratories and manufacturing innovation institutes.

Misty is a program manager with the UT CIS Manufacturing Extension Partnership and works to ensure her team has the resources needed to serve Tennessee manufacturers.

Misty DePriest
Manufacturing Extension Manager

UT Center for Industrial Services (CIS)

Interested In Our Services?

WORKPLACE DEVELOPMENT

Learn how a systems thinking approach empowers you to examine and continuously improve your People Development System.

See how an assessment helps you determine if an automation solution is a viable alternative for a manufacturing application.

AUTOMATION ASSESSMENT

We will show you how cybersecurity is a long term operational investment that provides you with ongoing value as needs and demands change and evolve.

CYBERSECURITY

PROCESS OPTIMIZATION

Our specialists understand how to break down your issues in the most simple ways and align your company with the appropriate solution, such as Lean, Training Within Industry or Toyota Kata.

The assessment helps you determine if an automation solution is a viable alternative for an application. As with most investments, the sweet spot for automation is higher impact with less complexity. In some cases, you may be able to add other technologies, such as an inspection system or conveyor, to streamline the operation enough to provide an ROI.

Our advanced manufacturing specialists have helped many companies with automation initiatives.

Our Services

The automation assessment looks at inefficient dirty, dull and dangerous functions to identify opportunities for automation, conveyance or even robotics. The assessment allows you to remain in control while you learn how automation works and envision a future in your facility before you ever talk with automation vendors. The on-site assessment evaluates the complexity and impact of applications, looking at key considerations that would determine what type of automation would be used. The factors include:

Our Process

A key consideration is which type of technology to invest in, a collaborative robot (cobot) that is capable of working alongside humans or an industrial robotic cell.

Investing in the Right Robotic Technology

With a passion for people development and global experience in developing and improving workplace culture, Tim is focused on helping you implement a workplace development program unique to your company.

Tim Waldo
Workforce Consultant

Keith is a continuous improvement specialist working across the state to help companies reduce costs, improve capacities, eliminate wasteful production activities, and facilitate culture change.

Keith Groves
Manufacturing Consultant

Danny helps manufacturers find solutions to highly technical problems by connecting companies to leading research facilities and resources. He also works across the state to help companies identify and implement automation and Industry 4.0 solutions and helps companies with supplier scouting of new and existing products.

Danny Norman
Advanced Manufacturing Consultant

Clients That Love Us

Our Impact

2,068 jobs 
created or retained

$7.8M
cost savings

$233M
new and retained sales

$46M
new client investments

UT CIS solutions consultants deliver technical expertise, hands-on training and share best practices. As a result, clients report that UT CIS efforts in the 2020 Calendar Year led to:
REQUEST FREE CONSULTATIONREQUEST FREE CONSULTATIONREQUEST FREE CONSULTATIONREQUEST FREE CONSULTATIONREQUEST FREE CONSULTATIONREQUEST FREE CONSULTATIONREQUEST FREE CONSULTATION
  • Application/Task
  • Part Size/Manipulation
  • Consistency/Part Variation
  • Integration
  • Precision
  • Cycle Time
  • Cost

You will receive a report analyzing your operations with recommendations on potential automation opportunities. If desired, UT CIS can also help develop a RFP for your specific needs and provide vendor matchmaking services.

Cobot 

  • Small & flexible
  • Similar speed as human
  • Fast set-up
  • Easy to use
  • Limited payload and reach
  • Safe alongside workers
  • Low upfront costs and fast ROI

Robot 

  • Large, Fixed Equipment
  • Typically requires safety barriers
  • High-volume, high-speed
  • Complex integration, programming
  • Wide range of payload and reach
  • Difficult to change/redeploy
  • High deployment costs

Call Today 615-253-6926

window.lintrk('track', { conversion_id: 8085833 });