MxD Recognized as Manufacturing Leadership Awards 2024 Finalist

MxD Honored in Both Project and Individual Categories

April 8, 2024 (CHICAGO) — MxD today announced that it has been recognized as a finalist in the 2024 Manufacturing Leadership Awards for outstanding project achievements as well as in next-generation leadership.

MxD projects were honored as finalists in three categories: Enterprise Integration and Technology, Collaborative Ecosystems, and Digital Network Connectivity.

The institute’s Rapid and Secure Deployment of Medical Devices and Instrumentation: Lungs-in-the-Loop was named a finalist in the Enterprise Integration and Technology category. Rapid and Secure Deployment of Medical Devices and Instrumentation: Lungs-in-the-Loop developed a reference hardware and software architecture that maintains high security for health data and serves as a model for other designers. This is showcased on the MxD factory floor via the use of an edge-compute and physically segregated networking card which only promotes analytics to the cloud rather than the data itself. Lungs-in-the-Loop also demonstrated the value of live or executable digital twins, which can run in near-real-time.

MxD’s Cybersecurity for Manufacturing Operational Technology (CyMOT) with University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) was named a finalist in the Collaborative Ecosystems category. The CyMOT program is a partnership between UMBC and MxD that answers manufacturers’ calls for more talent with cybersecurity for OT expertise. Both organizations partnered to identify the cybersecurity roles most crucial to the future of manufacturing. MxD’s Cybersecurity Hiring Guide was used as a playbook during the development of the CyMOT program to determine which roles and skills would be targeted for training, while UMBC developed a robust curriculum for the two targeted roles and implemented synchronous training for 128 students in 2023.

The MxD Sensor Kit was named a finalist in the Digital Network Connectivity category. The MxD Sensor Kit was created to respond to challenges facing small and medium manufacturers and to show this community that “going digital” does not have to be complicated. Sensor kits were designed to be a simple, no-code solution that interfaces with most commercially available sensors to allow manufacturers to monitor their processes more closely, shortening downtimes and reducing failures.

Angela Accurso, Director of Workforce Programs at MxD

Finally, Angela Accurso, Director of Workforce Programs, was named a finalist for the Next-Generation Leadership Award. Angela leads multiple programs including Curriculum and Pathways Integrating Technology and Learning (CAPITAL) initiative. Angela has played a role in creating unique organizational models and teams by leading the Learn Advisory Committee. This committee was created to better work with industry partners and ensure that the workforce program is meeting the needs of the industry.

MxD will be recognized at the Manufacturing Leadership Awards Gala, which will take place on June 5, 2024, in Marco Island, FL. A full list of winners and details on the gala can be found at https://www.manufacturingleadershipcouncil.com/leadership-awards/.

About MxD
MxD (Manufacturing x Digital) is where innovative manufacturers go to forge their futures. In partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD), MxD equips U.S. factories with the digital tools, cybersecurity, and workforce expertise needed to begin building every part better than the last. As a result, our nearly 300 partners increase their productivity, win more business, and strengthen U.S. manufacturing. MxD is also the National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing as designated by DoD.

Media Contact:
Mackie Hill, Marketing and Communications Manager, MxD
mackie.hill@mxdusa.org
312.281.687