Welcome

Welcome to CAVS Extension, a unit of Mississippi State University focused on meeting the needs of Mississippi’s manufacturers by:

  • Providing technical expertise with advanced engineering tools
  • Providing professional development training geared for industry
  • Providing on-site project support in the areas of product and process improvement

Let us know how we can assist you.

"Our staff has industry experience – so we understand the problems industry faces – and we want to help solve these problems so that companies can grow and prosper in Mississippi."
- Tonya McCall
Director, CAVS Extension
Providing Advanced Technical Expertise in the Areas of Product and Process Improvement and Technology Transfer Improving Processes with Six Sigma Training and Support Helping Manufacturing, Service and Healthcare Industries through Lean Enhancing Industrial Systems Through Simulation and Decision Support
Economic Impact: $7,243,141,139
click here for details and success stories
Upcoming Training and Events

Maintenance and Reliability Best Practices Workshop
Jun 06, 2023

Description:

This three day course is taught by Ramesh Gulati, who is the world leader in this area and the author of 'Maintenance & Reliability Best Practices'.

The M&R fundamentals course will boost your technical workforce's understanding of reliability & maintenance principles and help create a sustainable reliability culture to maximize the benefits.

The asset/equipment management practices in any organization determine whether an operation is considered a financial drain or a well-run business unit, which operates utilizing best reliability & maintenance practices to ensure assets reliability, safety, improved productivity, and profits.

Seminar Topics:
  • Introduction to Asset Management and It's Business Impact
  • Reliability Culture Examples
  • Defining Best Practices and Asset performance
  • Understanding Maintenance Role - Capacity Assurance
  • Workflow and Roles
  • Planning & Scheduling
  • Materials Management
  • Operations Role - Operator Driven Reliability
  • Workplace Design - 5S Plus
  • Optimizing Maintenance - RCM/CBM
  • Designing for reliability and Maintenance
  • Improvement Tools (Including 6 Sigma)
  • Workforce/People Development Organization, Team Building and Communication
  • Current Trends - Lean, Energy & Safety
  • Sustaining Reliability and Safety Culture
Recommended Audience
  • Reliability Engineers
  • Manufacturing Managers
  • Process Engineering
  • Maintenance Engineers
  • Technicians
  • Maintenance and Reliability Managers

Date(s): June 6-8, 2023 (Canton)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost: $1250.00

Please contact Jill Sellers at jsellers@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2746 if you have any questions.

Register

SPC 101 - Statistical Process Control
Jun 08, 2023

Course Objective:

This two day workshop is structured so that participants gain a solid understanding of the use of Statistical Process Control to drive process improvement. The class is taught through a balance lecture, class discussion, class exercises, and follow-on participant projects. Specific topics include both variables and attribute control charting. Specific variables control charting tools include X-BAR and R charts, as well as X and Moving R. Specific Attribute charting techniques are also presented including P, C, and U Charts. Also process capability indexes are presented and explained (i.e., Cp, Cpk, Pp, Ppk). Throughout the class a strong emphasis is placed on how to connect SPC with root causes oriented problem solving. Key concepts are reinforced through the use of catapults to simulate the real world linkage between SPC and process improvement.

Course Content:
  • Basics of Process Variation
  • Introduction to the Control Chart
  • Using Systematic Problem Solving to Drive Improvement
  • How a Control Chart Really Works
  • Basic Measures of Process Capability
  • SPC Class Exercise using Catapults

Who Should Attend? Manufacturing Engineers, Quality Engineers, Managers, Supervisors, and other professionals.

Instructor(s): Adam Collins and Emily Wall, Ph.D.

Date(s): June 8-9, 2023 (Canton, MS)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost: $500.00

Please contact Jill Sellers at jsellers@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2746 if you have any questions.

Register

Simulation Modeling and Analysis Using FlexSim
Jun 21, 2023

Course Objective:

The intent of the workshop is to provide the participants with the capability to use simulation to analyze and improve organizational performance. The workshop is hands-on, practical, and project focused. Participants will learn how to use FlexSim, a state-of-the-art simulation modeling environment, to address problems in their organization. During the workshop, participants are expected to develop a real, albeit simple, simulation, conduct the appropriate analysis, and present their findings to the class. The workshop is structured so that there is significant time for the participants to interact on a one-on-one basis with MSU modeling experts to facilitate the development of their "real-world" models.

Course Content:
  • What is Simulation and Modeling Analysis (SMA)?
  • How can SMA improve organizational performance?
  • What is involved in a SMA project?
  • What is required for a successful simulation project?
  • Overview of FlexSim modeling environment and interface
  • Model building in FlexSim
  • Basic coding in FlexSim
  • Importing and exporting data with MS Excel
  • Input data parameter and distribution estimatation
  • Analysis (generating and interpreting output in FlexSim, using the Experimenter, simple comparisons of alternatives, model validation and verification)
  • Other topics generated by the participants

Instructor(s): Travis Hill and Adam Collins

Date(s): Summer 2023 (June 21-22, July 19-20, August 23, 2023)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost: $1800.00

Please contact Jill Sellers at jsellers@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2746 if you have any questions.

Register

Basics of Data Analytics for the Manufacturing Industry - Webinar
Jun 28, 2023

Course Objective:

With the increasing amount of data being generated from Industry 4.0 equipment, analyzing and understanding this data is becoming more important. The purpose of this workshop is to provide participants with an understanding of fundamental data analytics concepts and to provide implementations of such concepts. Topics will include an overview of data analytics and a look at the four pillars of data analytics with concrete examples of data analytic methods for each pillar using the R programming language.

Course Content:
  • Introduction – What is data analytics?
  • An overview of available tools
  • The four pillars of data analytics: 
    • Descriptive
    • Diagnostic
    • Predictive
    • Prescriptive
  • Putting it all together – an example from start to finish
Who Should Attend?

Managers and technical professionals interested in applications of data analytics. Technical professionals who need alternative tools to spreadsheet-based software because of computational limitations.

Participant Involvement:

Participants are expected to have a basic knowledge of statistical concepts. While no programming experience is needed, significant time will not be spent on general programming concepts.

Class Resources:

Instructor(s): Jonathan Storey

Date(s): June 28, 2023

Time: 1:00PM - 5:00PM

Location: Online

Please contact Jill Sellers at jsellers@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2746 if you have any questions.

Register

SolidWorks Basic Skills
Jul 26, 2023

Course Objective:

This class will cover basic design and modeling practices that can be used across all design platforms. The goal of this course is to teach the fundamental skills and concepts to build parametric models, parts, and assemblies and how to make simple drawings of those parts and assemblies. This will be accomplished by using SolidWorks to create 3D models of parts from drawings and within assemblies. These parts will then be assembled in SolidWorks to confirm fitment and create 2D drawings. This will be accomplished over 2 days of hands-on modeling exercises led by a certified SolidWorks professional with industry experience. No prerequisite skills are required, but familiarity with SolidWorks is recommended.

Major Topics Covered
  • Sketching
  • Part Modeling
  • Sub-Assemblies
  • Assemblies
  • 2D-Drawings

Instructor(s): Jonathan Howell

Date(s): July 26-27, 2023

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost: $500.00

Please contact Jill Sellers at jsellers@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2746 if you have any questions.

Register

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
Aug 02, 2023

Course Objective:

This eleven-day workshop is to develop participant skills in the advanced problem-solving techniques that have been popularized under the banner of Six Sigma. Participants will apply these techniques on an approved project. Upon project completion and successfully passing a written examination, participants will receive a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.

Participant Involvement: The training will consist of 11 days scheduled during a five month period. Each participant is required to implement techniques and tools on an approved project that targets substantial benefits to their respective organizations. Each participant will receive consulting support both in and outside the classroom to assist with the successful completion of their project. It is anticipated that significant work outside the classroom will be expected in order to ensure maximum results from the student project.

Who Should Attend: Manufacturing and Quality Engineers and Technicians, Industrial Engineers, individuals supporting Six Sigma projects, and/or individuals looking to achieve their Green Belt Certification.

Class Resources:

Instructor(s): Judy Johnson, Les Goff, Ph.D., Adam Collins and Martin Konrad

Date(s): Fall 2023 (August 2-3, August 30-31, September 27-28, October 25-26, November 15-16, December 13)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost: $3000.00

Please contact Jill Sellers at jsellers@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2746 if you have any questions.

Register

Six Sigma Black Belt Certification
Aug 02, 2023

Course Objective:

This 11 day workshop requires each student to demonstrate mastery of the Six Sigma Body of knowledge and is accomplished through the participant leading a black belt project which illustrates the DMAIC methodology, use of appropriate statistical tools, and substantial business results. Upon project completion and after successfully passing a written examination participants will receive a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.

Participant Involvement: The training will consist of 11 days scheduled during a five month period. Each participant is required to implement techniques and tools on an approved project that targets substantial benefits to their respective organizations. Each participant will receive consulting support both in and outside the classroom to assist with the successful completion of their project. It is anticipated that significant work outside the classroom will be expected in order to ensure maximum results from the student project.

Who Should Attend: Manufacturing and Quality Engineers and Technicians, Industrial Engineers, individuals supporting Six Sigma projects, and/or individuals looking to achieve their Black Belt Certification.

Class Resources:

Instructor(s): Judy Johnson, Adam Collins, Les Goff, Ph.D. and Martin Konrad

Date(s): Fall 2023 (August 2-3, August 30-31, September 27-28, October 25-26, November 15-16, December 13)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost: $3500.00

Please contact Jill Sellers at jsellers@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2746 if you have any questions.

Register

Measurement System Analysis: Gage Repeatability & Reproducibility
Aug 08, 2023

Course Objective:

This two day course will provide an introduction to the concepts of Measurement System Analysis (MSA), which is often referred to as Gage Repeatability & Reproducibility (Gage R&R). Participants will hone their individual skills during a step-by-step, instructor led interactive example using sample demonstration parts.

Course Content:
  • Introduction
    • What is MSA (Gage R&R)?
    • Why measurement Error Matters
    • Measurement System Analysis Terms
    • Gage Repeatability
    • Gage Reproducibility
    • Assessing Measurement System Capability
  • Classroom Activity
    • Overview of Gage R&R Forms
    • Exercise: Actual Inspection & Data Collection Using Sample Parts
    • Step-by-Step Calculations
    • Interpretation and Explanation of Calculated Results
    • Verification of Results Using Computer Software (Minitab, Excel, etc.)
  • In Plant Application
    • Divide the class into teams and perform the Gage R&R on actual inspection equipment
    • Each team present results to the rest of the class.

Who Should Attend? Engineers practicing in any discipline, managers, other technical professionals, and anyone responsible for collection and/or analysis of measurement data.

Participant Involvement: This workshop will provide attendees with basic instruction in the statistical analysis of measured data for the purpose of measurement system validation. Each participant should have a working knowledge of the typical measuring system(s) used in their work or professional environment and an understanding of how related data measurements are collected. The participant's basic understanding of mathematics (average, percentage, & square root, etc.) is assumed. A prior understanding of basic descriptive statistics such as mean, range, and standard deviation is desirable, but these topics will be also be defined and explained during the workshop. Participants will benefit from instructor led lecture, individual hands-on activity, and general discussion on related topics.

Instructor(s): Jonathan Howell and Adam Collins

Date(s): August 8-9, 2023 (Canton, MS)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost: $500.00

Please contact Jill Sellers at jsellers@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2746 if you have any questions.

Register