The Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Artificial Intelligence (CAM‑AI) connects businesses with UW–Stout’s applied expertise, cutting‑edge labs, and rapid technical support to solve real‑world challenges. We help manufacturers modernize through advanced manufacturing, automation, machine vision, and materials expertise, while also supporting any organization exploring AI solutions. Whether improving production, enhancing decision‑making, or advancing digital transformation, CAM‑AI provides practical, industry‑focused innovation that moves businesses forward.
Advanced Manufacturing Services
We provide advice on processes, materials and design, design of jigs, fixtures and final use parts and output with industry-standard 3D printers.
We design and implement AI‑enhanced vision systems that accurately capture, interpret, and act on visual data. These systems can detect defects, classify parts, measure dimensions, and integrate with automation equipment. By using pattern recognition, image segmentation, and other AI techniques, we help organizations improve quality control, reduce manual inspection, and enable real‑time decision‑making.
Our team develops custom automation assemblies tailored to specific operational needs. Solutions may include robotic integration, programmable logic control (PLC) systems, sensor‑driven workflows, and automated material handling. By streamlining repetitive or labor‑intensive processes, we help organizations boost efficiency, production throughput, and safety.
We offer expert guidance across the full injection molding lifecycle—materials selection, tooling design, process optimization, and testing. Whether evaluating polymer performance or fine‑tuning mold conditions, we support manufacturers in improving product quality, reducing scrap rates, and achieving reliable, scalable production. Services include:
Material Characterization
- Composition analysis
- Material identification and selection
- Failure analysis
- Mechanical testing
- Accelerated weathering
- Lot to lot variation testing
- Rotational and capillary rheology measurements
Plastics Processing
- Injection molding (material trials, process simulation, mold design)
- Extrusion (material trials, process analysis and optimization, die and screw design)
- Thermoforming (material trials, process optimization, mold design)
- Extrusion blow molding (material trials)
- Rotational molding (material trials)
- 3D printing (design and prototyping)
Our packaging services cover structural design, materials assessment, performance testing, and iterative prototyping. We help companies ensure their packaging is durable, functional, cost‑effective, and compliant with regulatory or transportation standards. This includes stress testing, sustainability considerations, and optimization for manufacturability. Services include:
Materials Testing
- Mechanical testing, including tensile, impact, peel adhesive, tear, folding endurance, ECT, and Mullen testing
- Water Vapor Transmission Rate testing
- Oxygen Transmission Rate testing
- Coefficient of Friction
- Contact Angle measurements
- Sutherland rub testing
- Gelbo flex testing
Package Testing
- Distribution simulation testing (drop, vibration, compression)
- ISTA parcel package testing
- Shock and fragility testing
- Package integrity testing
- Seal strength and window testing
- Burst testing
- O2/CO2 headspace
- Bubble leak testing
- Shelf-life studies
- UV-VIS spectrometer testing
- Gas chromatography
Package Design & Prototyping
- Kongsberg cutting table
- Heat sealer with vacuum and gas flush
- Modified Atmosphere Packaging
- Tray sealer
- Heat shrink tunnel
- Thermoforming
- K control coater
Artificial Intelligence Services
Planning, policy, and ethical frameworks to guide responsible AI adoption:
- AI readiness assessments to determine organizational maturity and gaps.
- Roadmap development for phased and sustainable AI integration.
- Ethical and compliance frameworks, including bias mitigation and transparency guidelines.
- Governance structures that define roles, responsibilities, and decision authority.
- Risk assessments to identify and manage AI-related operational or reputational risks
Using AI to analyze data and automate workflows for efficiency and new insights:
- Data analysis and modeling to reveal trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities.
- Process mapping and automation to streamline workflows and eliminate bottlenecks.
- Predictive analytics for maintenance, demand forecasting, or quality improvement.
- AI-driven workflow automation, reducing manual effort and increasing accuracy.
- Dashboarding and visualization to support data-driven decision-making.
Training and upskilling teams to build AI literacy and integrate new competencies:
- Foundational AI literacy programs for employees at all levels.
- Hands-on technical training for staff using AI tools, data platforms, or automation systems.
- Leadership training to support strategic decision-making around AI adoption.
- Customized learning modules tailored to industry, department, or skill level.
- Change management support to ease transitions into AI-enhanced workflows.
Interactive sessions to explore AI applications, tools, and strategic actions:
- Engaging presentations on AI trends, use cases, and emerging technologies.
- Hands-on workshops for experimenting with AI tools and practical exercises.
- Facilitated strategy sessions to help teams identify opportunities and next steps.
- Sector-specific workshops, tailored to manufacturing, education, service industries, and more.
- Innovation-focused sessions to spark new ideas and cross-team collaboration.
Cost
Because each project is unique, pricing is determined by the scope of work and deliverables. Contact us for a detailed, no‑obligation quote based on your goals.
