Steve Plumb
Verified- Editor-in-Chief, Manufacturing Engineering & Technology
- Editor-in-Chief, SME Media
- Host, Advanced Manufacturing Now
- Editor-in-Chief, Advanced Manufacturing News Desk
United States
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Articles by Steve Plumb
Previewing the November Issue of MET and the 2026 A&D Industry Report.
Your browser does not support the audio element. The editorial team discusses the Aerospace & Defense Industry Report and features on giving production data context, high-mix/low-volume production why smart manufacturing fails and how AI weaves islands of info into a comprehensive digital thread.
Tanishka Gadewar
As an electronics and communication engineering student, Tanishka Gadewar has already contributed to two patent award teams. If her past is prologue, the sky’s the limit for Tanishka Gadewar’s future. The 21-year-old already has taken part in two medical-related patent teams, developed an end-to-end plant classification system using computer-vision models across 15 disease classes and she is working on AI-powered, augmented reality (AR) transition glasses.
Matt Perham
Matt Perham is a senior manufacturing engineer for the drive inverter team at Tesla’s Austin, Texas, plant. (Provided by Matt Perham) Don’t be afraid to take on demanding projects, new jobs or even life-changing events that are a little scary at first. This philosophy has served Matt Perham well during the initial stages of his career and life.
Aditya Chivate
Aditya Chivate is an assistant professor at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he teaches various courses focused on Industry 4.0, IIoT, automation and other advanced manufacturing technologies. Additive manufacturing (AM) didn’t fully take hold with Aditya Chivate until his graduate studies at the University of Buffalo (UB). Since then, his work has expanded across a broad range and into the wider world of smart manufacturing.
Meet the 2026 Class of 30 Under 30 Honorees
There are many roads to success. For some, it takes years to discover their true calling and navigate a fulfilling and impactful career path. For others, the journey starts early, nurtured by family, their surroundings and even childhood obsessions. Such is the case for the 2026 class of SME’s 30 Under 30 honorees. Lauren Heinrich, for example, inspired by watching her father, a mechanical engineer, repair the family car, began building carts out of scrap wood when she was 5.
Welcome to October Manufacturing Fest!
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, the annual Manufacturing Month in October takes on greater significance. Manufacturing has been critical to America’s success since the country’s origins. In fact, one of the founding fathers, Paul Revere, was a manufacturing pioneer, establishing one of the first purpose-built metalworking operations with his foundry in Boston—12 years after his famous ride. Amazingly, that company’s successor is still in business today.
How AI can Expand the Skilled Manufacturing Workforce
Your browser does not support the audio element. Key opportunities include advanced manufacturing, maintenance and repair, and quality and lab technicians. Steve Shepley and Victoria Bloom discuss these and other findings from a new report from Deloitte and the National Association of Manufacturers.
Universal Robots Unveils Seventh Generation Platform
Universal Robots has introduced its seventh generation operating platform with updated capabilities, the company says. Universal Robots A/S took the wraps off its seventh-generation robotics platform at IMTS in Chicago. The system features a unified system upgrade, anchored by the PolyScope X robot operating system with a fully reengineered control box, teach pendant and tool flange.
Countdown to IMTS: Paul Boris, CEO of Murray Mentor
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Countdown to IMTS with Will Healy of Universal Robots and Jake Hall, the Manufacturing Millennial.
Your browser does not support the audio element. AI and Automation will take center stage at the Smart Manufacturing Experience Showcase during IMTS (Sept. 14-19) in Chicago. Jake Hall and Will Healy join SME's Steve Plumb and Carl Mitroff to talk about the show and the latest manufacturing trends, as well as the Cubs-Tigers rivalry.
Manufacturing Resiliency
Welcome to the September issue of Manufacturing Engineering & Technology (MET). As autumn approaches and manufacturers finalize preparations for IMTS (Sept. 14-19), the industry’s resiliency continues to shine amid a new wave of hurdles and ongoing economic uncertainties. This includes the latest round of tariffs enacted by the Trump administration in late July that impose 10% to 12.5% duties on goods from more than 60 countries.
The Unsung Heroes of American Manufacturing
Your browser does not support the audio element. Author and host of Manufacturing Talks Jim Vinoski shares the inspirations of his new book, “American Manufacturing,” which profiles 22 of the country’s most resilient success stories and the innovative people behind them.
IMTS Unscripted—Real Conversations, Real Solutions
Your browser does not support the audio element. The manufacturing industry is changing at an unprecedented rate. With this in mind, the upcoming Smart Manufacturing Experience Showcase at IMTS will address the latest challenges, opportunities and how emerging technologies are shaping the future.
Trending Insights From 450 Manufacturing Facilities
Your browser does not support the audio element. Cara Walton shares the latest benchmarking results about efficiency, ROI, automation, workforce trends, IMTS and more from the consulting company's annual survey. Spoiler: material costs and volatility were the top concern.
MET August Previews IMTS 2026
Welcome to the August 2026 issue of Manufacturing Engineering & Technology (MET), which previews the upcoming International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago (Sept. 14-19). Dubbed the “largest manufacturing show in the Western Hemisphere,” the six-day event spans more than 1.2 million sq ft and is expected to draw 90,000 visitors. As always, SME will have a major presence at the event.
Inside the Smart Manufacturing Experience at IMTS 2026
Your browser does not support the audio element. What can manufacturers expect from the Smart Manufacturing Experience at IMTS 2026? In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, Steve Plumb is joined by Carl Mitroff, SME's conference manager, to preview one of IMTS's premier educational destinations. Carl shares what attendees can expect from more than 30 presentations designed to help manufacturers turn emerging technologies into practical business results.
How AI & Smart Manufacturing Are Narrowing Time to Market
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Blox nxt offers streamlined teamwork with group editing (Copy)
About BLOX Digital BLOX Digital is thrilled to announce the beta launch of BLOX NXT (pronounced "next"), a groundbreaking new content management system that is set to redefine how media organizations manage, monetize, and distribute content. Starting this December, select partners will get a first look at BLOX NXT's suite of innovative capabilities, including AI-powered tools, collaborative document editing, and streamlined subscriber management workflow solutions.
An American Story: Triumph Over Adversity
Sometimes life’s tragedies can be overwhelming. At the same time, the world is full of inspiration. Sitting in the Istanbul airport for 12 hours en route to Bangkok for a business trip, I was in the mood to write a scathing screed about the world’s injustices, no matter how trivial or imagined. But I encountered several helpful workers and fellow passengers also stuck in limbo, passing time in the middle of the night awaiting transport to varied destinations.
Robotics, AI, and the Future of Automation: Insights from Automate
Your browser does not support the audio element. Steve Bauer, Digital Content Producer for SME Media, joins Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb to share his experiences and insights from his visit to the Automate show in Chicago. The conversation highlights the latest advancements in robotics, vision systems, grippers, and integrated automation solutions.
Instilling Manufacturing Enthusiasm Early with SME PRIME
Your browser does not support the audio element. In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, host Steve Plumb is joined by educators Chris Desmond from Hopewell High School and Jason Hyatt from Cazenovia High School. Both schools are part of the SME Education Foundation’s PRIME (Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education) initiative, which has recently expanded to middle schools.
Humans of the Loop: Expanding Role on the Shop Floor
Your browser does not support the audio element. In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, the team previews the June/July issue of Manufacturing Engineering and Technology, available to read now on advancedmanufacturing.org. On top of the State-by-State of the Industry special report, the June/July issue explores the intersection of people and technology, from press brake tooling and setup reduction to evolving chip control strategies.
Humans in the Loop: Expanding Role on the Shop Floor
Your browser does not support the audio element. In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, the team previews the June/July issue of Manufacturing Engineering and Technology, available to read now on advancedmanufacturing.org. The issue explores the intersection of people and technology, from press brake tooling and setup reduction to evolving chip control strategies.
Revitalizing America’s Energy Resources
The U.S. needs to take a comprehensive approach to energy needs and national security, says Christopher Saldaña, the deputy assistant secretary of CMEI‘s Office of Critical Minerals, Materials and Manufacturing.
Cross Training, Chick-fil-A and Electric Motors
There’s virtually no job or part of Industrial Motor Service (IMS) Inc.’s operations that Taylor Powell isn’t well versed in. That’s partly due to necessity in working for a small business. But it’s mostly by design. Powell is passionate about training, workforce development and doing things right. At her core, she’s a problem solver. And don’t wind her up about electric motors. That’s her business—literally. She started working at IMS when she was 18.
Delaware States Its Case for a Biotech Revolution
The automated visual inspection of filled vials is shown. Manufacturing is elemental to Delaware. The state’s first recorded industrial activity dates back to 1687, when Swedish colonist Tyman Stidham opened a flour mill on the Brandywine River. In the 19th century, Delaware’s manufacturing base grew to include textiles, food processing and small-scale chemical production. One of the state’s most well-known and longest-running companies is what started as chemical giant E. I.
Maximum Velocity in Ohio
Velocity Group assembly line workers insert electronic sensors for an industrial weight sensing application. Kent Savage is a firm believer in the benefits of onshoring.
Hometown Son’s Electrifying Career Choice
Evan Adams, who started working at Toyota Motor Corp.’s Georgetown plant as a co-op student in college, now oversees the facility’s new battery pack assembly line for electric vehicles. The automotive industry is part of Evan Adams’ DNA. His father joined Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky the month before Evan was born, working in production control and logistics at the automaker’s Georgetown plant until retiring in 2024.
Revolutionizing the American Dream
Apprenticeship Works at the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center assisted in the development of the first U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship for additive manufacturing technicians. It’s my pleasure to introduce our first-ever State by State of the Manufacturing Industry special report, which is a celebration of ingenuity, determination and success. The package highlights a cross-section of people, programs and organizations making manufacturing matter in each state.
A State-by-State Look at American Innovation
Your browser does not support the audio element. On the latest episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, the editorial team discusses the 250th anniversary of the United States, and the spirit of innovation they discovered while putting together the State-by-State of the Manufacturing Industry special report.
Knives Out-and Thriving
Josh Smith became the world’s youngest Master Bladesmith at 19 and has been perfecting his craft ever since, founding the Montana Knife Co . in 2020 and growing the business. When he launched Montana Knife Co. (MKC) in 2020, Josh Smith acknowledges he didn’t know much about engineering, manufacturing or business. But he had something even more important: talent, passion and a dream that he’s parlayed into a successful company that quickly outgrew his garage and first expansion into a new facility.
General Motors Upskills Next-Gen Auto Workers in Kansas
General Motors says it has invested more than $500 million in the last five years for apprenticeships and upskilling workers. For nearly 80 years, General Motors’ Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kan., has been a pillar of American manufacturing. Opened in 1946, the facility has weathered industry shifts, economic cycles and evolving vehicle technologies while continuing to anchor the region’s industrial economy.
California Startup Gets Physical With Tech That Matters
GrayMatter Robotics' new headquarters features more than 25 robotic cells performing real manufacturing operations. Gray matter, the darker tissue of the brain and spinal cord, is crucial for processing information and controlling movement and emotions. Carson-based GrayMatter Robotics (GMR) puts its own intelligence to good use in the field of physical AI. This includes industrial applications with end-to-end solutions that can expand capacity, boost quality and future-proof production.
Manufacturing in Uncertain Times
From supply chain volatility and geopolitical unrest to workforce challenges and transformative technologies, manufacturers need to learn how to survive—and thrive—in dynamic environments where flexibility is critical. Quickparts CEO Avi Reichental and SME Media’s Steve Plumb and Michael McConnell will discuss what this means for the industry today and how it could impact the future.
Blasting Off Into Maryland’s Future
Baltimore native Reid Wiseman commanded the recent Artemis II mission that orbited the moon. Maryland has long been an important center of American manufacturing, thanks to its strategic location, transportation network and skilled workforce. One of the early pioneers was G. Krug & Son Inc., which began in 1810 and now boasts of being the longest continuously operating blacksmith and ironworks business in America.
How Schools are Closing the CNC Skills Gap
Your browser does not support the audio element. In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, we speak with Heather Curtis of Tormach and Joe Leonhard of Sheboygan Central High School about how their partnership with the National Coalition of Certification Centers is shaping the future of manufacturing education.
Is the Next Industrial Revolution Here?
Your browser does not support the audio element. Manufacturers expect levels of tech enablement and automation to more than double by 2030, according to PwC’s Global Industrial Manufacturing Sector Outlook 2026. In this episode of Advanced Manufacturing Now, we speak with Ryan Hawk, global and US industrials and services leader for PwC, about the report and what industry leaders are saying about the future of manufacturing.
Government Tech Transfer Takes Flight
Your browser does not support the audio element. Stephen Luckowski, director, Technology Transfer, Transition and Commercial Partnership (T3CP), Office of the Assistant Secretary of War, Science & Technology, joins SME Chief Technology Officer Brett Conner to discuss the latest T3CP initiatives, including the recent patent holiday that provides no-fee commercial evaluation licenses for a curated selection of patents from War Department laboratories.
It’s Time to Get Smart
I’m not an engineer, nor do I play one on TV or podcasts. But I often interview and interact with engineers and try to help them convey their expertise to the greater manufacturing community—including other engineers. My experience started in college, when I was paired with several roommates pursuing engineering majors.
For Another 250 Years of Freedom, a Conversation with Keith Krach
Your browser does not support the audio element. On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate 250 years of independence, and Freedom 250 is the public-private organization leading that celebration. We speak with Keith Krach, CEO of Freedom 250, about the work the organization is doing to reignite the spirit of American innovation for another 250 years.
Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom, Innovation and Manufacturing
Your browser does not support the audio element. On July 4, 2026, America will officially celebrate 250 years of independence. But the festivities have already started, with a barrage of local parades, tech activities, educational events and contests across the country, including the Great American State Fair, sponsored by Freedom 250. CEO Keith Krach, a serial entrepreneur and innovator, shares some of the highlights, history and what’s next as the country reignites the American spirit.
What’s Next for an Original Rosie the Riveter
Your browser does not support the audio element. Mae Krier has lived an amazing life. She started working at Boeing, riveting the wings of B-17 and B-29 planes during World War II, and has been a fierce advocate for all the Rosies ever since.
How 3D Printing is Enhancing National Security
Advanced technology has never been more important to the success of today’s military and national defense. Brigadier General Beth Behn, commanding general for the U.S. Army TACOM, shares her insights at RAPID + TCT in Boston on how additive manufacturing is being deployed to enhance readiness.
Additive Manufacturing Takes Shape
Additive manufacturing (AM) has come a long way since Chuck Hull invented stereolithography (SLA) in 1983. Over the years, SLA has been joined by several other resin- and metal-based processes, while applications have progressed from rapid prototyping and high-end specialty parts to increasingly higher volumes across aerospace and defense, transportation, healthcare and consumer goods.
Manufacturing Strength is National Security, a Conversation with Brett Conner
Your browser does not support the audio element. We sit down with SME's chief Manufacturing Officer, Dr. Brett Conner, to discuss the National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy, and what they mean for manufacturers in the United States.
Next-Gen Solutions for Aerospace and Defense
The aerospace and defense (A&D) sector stands at a pivotal juncture marked by sustained growth, evolving customer requirements, and shifting national security guidelines and priorities. Forecasts point to continued expansion across both commercial and defense segments as modernization programs and security-driven procurement drive demand. However, the industry also faces significant headwinds.
It’s Time to Celebrate Mom, Rosie and All Trailblazing Women
Mark your calendars for March 8 and take time to celebrate all the women in your life—and everything they’ve done to guide, support, influence and nurture you. Chances are, there have been myriad caring, kind and smart women who have helped you become the person you are today. It’s not just mothers, sisters, aunts, cousins and grandmothers. It’s all your female friends and neighbors, coworkers and bosses, teachers and other professionals—even service providers you interact with on a regular basis.
Rosie the Riveter Mae Krier Still Making History at 100
Mae Krier When I first spoke with Mae Krier, she was in the process of renewing her driver’s license and deciding on whether to accept an invitation for an overseas trip and speaking engagement. While these are unusual activities for a soon-to-be-100-year-old woman, Mae is no ordinary centenarian. In fact, she’s quite extraordinary for any age—continuing to live life to its fullest and making an impact on the world at large.
Where Agentic AI Actually Fits on the Factory Floor
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AI Takes Center Stage at CES
Any doubt about the future of AI in manufacturing was put to rest at CES in January. The technology dominated the annual electronics showcase, including a range of seemingly near-sentient humanoid robots and other AI-infused machines and automated solutions performing all manner of entertaining tasks—from cooking, vacuuming and folding laundry to dancing, playing table tennis and even dealing blackjack (CES is held in Las Vegas after all).
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