MxD Innovates

01/21/2026

Help shape the next federal strategy for manufacturing innovation. Every four years, the White House revises the National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing. As part of this process, a Request for Information (RFI) is issued to gather public input on Federal programs and initiatives that can enhance U.S. manufacturing. These efforts aim to create new jobs, strengthen the economy across various industries, and bolster national security.

The National Science and Technology Council is tasked with developing the 2026-2030 National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing and is currently seeking public stakeholder input. In support of this outreach, the NIST Office of Advanced Manufacturing is hosting a virtual “Town Hall” to hear from members of Manufacturing USA institutes. Your input is crucial to shaping the next national strategy.

Register Now: https://loom.ly/Ivo4RDA
Wednesday, February 11, 2026. 2:00-3:30 pm ET

We hope you will join us to share your thoughts on the future of advanced manufacturing in the U.S. However, if you can’t attend, we still encourage you to review the RFI and provide your comments online through the Federal Register. Note: the RFI deadline has been extended to March 30, 2026.

01/12/2026

In the defense industry, keeping secrets is part of the job. But as CMMC 2.0 rolls out, many manufacturers are facing a significant puzzle: How do you protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) if you can’t recognize it?

Because CUI can range from engineering files to simple scheduling details, many companies find themselves struggling with "keyword fatigue" or over-classifying public data. As Michael Tanji, MxD’s Director of Cybersecurity, points out: “Understand that properly designating CUI material is often a matter of context and can be a tedious process.”

Our latest article dives into: ✅ Why identifying CUI is the first (and hardest) step toward CMMC compliance. ✅ The common pitfalls of automated systems and keyword triggers. ✅ How to move from "mystery" to "mastery" through System Security Plans and employee training.

Protecting the defense supply chain is a team sport. Whether you are a prime or a small supplier, the goal is the same: Don’t let this leak.

Read the full breakdown on how to demystify CUI and harden your shop floor's defenses: https://loom.ly/TH91nIQ

01/08/2026

2025 was the year of AI-powered attacks, but 2026 is the year manufacturers fight back. While AI is driving massive wins in predictive maintenance and quality control, it’s also fueling a new wave of ransomware. We sat down with MxD’s Michael Tanji to discuss why the target has shifted from intellectual property theft to a much more dangerous goal: stopping America’s ability to produce. Learn how to harden your shop floor against the next generation of threats.

Read our 2026 Cybersecurity Outlook: https://loom.ly/mfupUXg

In 2025, cybercriminals leaned heavily on artificial intelligence (AI) to automate attacks at a scale few companies were ready for — and incidents like the Jaguar Land Rover breach exposed just how vulnerable modern factories have become as information technology (IT) and operational technology (O...

01/07/2026

MxD, in collaboration with EY, is developing a technology roadmap to help the Casting and Forging industry harness the full potential of digital manufacturing. This roadmap will look across the entire lifecycle—from design to production to supply chain—and is being shaped through in-person workshops with leaders from industry, academia, government, and key trade associations. We are pleased to invite you to Workshop 3, where we will shift from exploring actionable solutions to developing the digital roadmap.

Workshop 3 Details:
Date: January 21, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: MxD, Chicago, IL
Focus: Digital Roadmap Development
Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided.

We hope you will join us for this collaborative and forward-looking discussion.

Register here: https://loom.ly/boKLvCs

Identifying Pain Points and Challenges in the US Casting and Forging Industry Join us for an industry-leading event designed to benefit professionals working in or supporting the fields of design, manufacturing, or quality.

01/05/2026

Join the NIST Office of Advanced Manufacturing for a new knowledge-sharing webinar series for the Manufacturing USA network! Accelerating Innovation: Project Impacts from Manufacturing USA will highlight some of the NIST-sponsored technical project impacts of the Manufacturing USA institutes and their project partners. Discover exciting technological advancements, improved manufacturing processes, and learn about collaboration opportunities. The kick off date for the series is January 15, 2026, at 12 p.m. ET.

Digitization, Automation, and Supply Chains
January 15, 2026 at 12 pm ET

Featuring:

Local Health Alert System (LHAS)
Presented by Ian Taylor (Simba Chain)
MxD

Robotics and Automation Decision Framework for Agility and Resilience (RADAR)
Presented by Eleftherios Iakovou (Texas A&M University)
ARM Institute

Rx Product Marketplace Orchestrator: An Open Product Marketplace Orchestrator for Rapid-Response Across (Rx) Health and Medical Supply and Demand Chains
Presented by Kyoung-yun Kim, (Wayne State University), Karl Haapala, (Oregon State University), and Gul Kremer, (University of Dayton).
MxD

Register Now: https://loom.ly/-B5XXSM

Who should attend? CTOs, COOs, project managers, technical leaders across the Manufacturing USA institutes, their agency sponsors, and participating member organizations.

12/30/2025

In the year ahead, MxD looks forward to building on the programs and initiatives that support modernization across the manufacturing sector.

Our focus remains on digitalizing manufacturing, increasing cyber awareness, upskilling our workforce, and strengthening our defense collaboration.

We look forward to continuing our work and invite you to get involved as a member or through our events. Learn more about what we do at: https://loom.ly/7cf2s2E

12/29/2025

In 2025, MxD continued to strengthen our role in advancing digital manufacturing through steady, meaningful progress.

We hosted another successful Annual Summit, launched the xChange app, redesigned our website to better serve our community, and represented our work at several key conventions and industry events.

Thank you to our members and partners for all your support this year.

12/23/2025

MxD wishes you a safe and joyful holiday season!

12/22/2025

Modernizing the artisan workforce is essential to the future of the Organic Industrial Base (OIB).

Leaders need clear guidance to navigate that change, which is why we created the OIB Workforce Readiness Guide: a free resource that outlines the roles, skills, and capabilities needed to prepare people, processes, and technologies for phased modernization.

Inside, you’ll find workforce frameworks, success profiles, and insights on the drivers and barriers shaping the path forward.

Download the guide and get a head start on building the OIB workforce of tomorrow: https://loom.ly/YlQW9K4

12/18/2025

During his presentation, “Achieving Production Precision with Digital Twin,” at our Annual Summit, Cody Johnson of the U.S. Army DEVCOM Armaments Center breaks down digital twin technology and what it means for modern production.

Watch the full presentation: https://loom.ly/NwJY4LY

12/17/2025

Here’s what’s inside this month’s MxD newsletter:

- CyMOT Courses on the VTC
UMBC and MxD are now offering six Cybersecurity for Manufacturing Operational Technology courses through the Virtual Training Center. These support both the Manufacturing Cybersecurity AI/ML Engineer and Advanced Cyber Analyst training tracks. Find them in the VTC: https://loom.ly/V1Cosu4

- Funding Opportunities
New opportunities are now live on MxD Member xChange. Don’t have an account yet? Sign up here: https://loom.ly/2KuTscM

- Annual Member Survey
We want your feedback! Help shape next year’s programs, events, and resources by taking a few minutes to complete our survey: https://loom.ly/oIcDSGw

To stay connected with all things MxD, subscribe to our newsletter today.

MxD Learn introduces the Virtual Training Center, a comprehensive training and learning platform designed to serve manufacturers and individual workers alike.

12/16/2025

MxD’s Cybertown is a first-of-its-kind testbed that brings cyber risks in operational technology (OT) to life.

By simulating real-world environments, it shows how offensive tactics actually impact OT systems in real time. These demonstrations help industry teams recognize threats faster, understand operational consequences, and strengthen their defenses.

The result: a more prepared and resilient industrial base.