Facilities
The Institute occupies a 10,000-square-foot space in the UWM Libraries — a highly visible, central location on campus. State-of-the-art research and laboratory facilities within the Connected Systems Institute (CSI) set it apart from other university-industry consortiums studying IIoT connectivity.
CSI research facilities includes four on-campus manufacturing labs used for research, testing, and education. These test facilities give industry partners a place for experimental analyses and validation. The simulated manufacturing plant provides a work environment for students and researchers to experiment with new concepts and solutions. CSI’s facilities are designed to test IIoT solutions across domains specific to manufacturing.
Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab
UWM and the Connected Systems Institute (CSI) are proud to host the world’s seventh Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab—the first lab dedicated to manufacturing and the only one at an academic institution. Through this partnership, CSI and Microsoft will:
- Develop AI and cloud solutions that enhance manufacturing processes
- Improve product reliability and quality
- Offer Rapid Prototyping and Design Thinking sessions
The lab will strengthen UWM’s research and education mission by connecting Wisconsin manufacturers with Microsoft’s AI engineers. Together, we aim to serve 270 Wisconsin businesses—including 135 manufacturers—by 2030, while providing a dynamic research and training environment for UWM students and faculty.
Manufacturing Test Bed
Features a fully functional production environment in which students produce and fulfill orders. This simulated manufacturing facility gives students hands-on experience in a live production environment. The test bed provides exposure to Industry 4.0 technologies, including robotics and AI. The test bed features plant and automation controls tools from Rockwell Automation, OT security systems from Fortinet, data management and switching controls from Cisco, hardware from Dell, and cloud storage from Microsoft.
Digital Twin Lab
Features a digital replica of the Manufacturing Test Bed. Using software simulation for mechatronics and robotics programming, students can simulate processes before executing them in the test bed production environment. The lab uses simulation software from Ansys and digital manufacturing solutions from PTC.
OT Cybersecurity Lab
Focuses on the unique security needs of connected systems in manufacturing production environments.
CSI facilities feature a fully connected system of IIoT components. The simulated manufacturing plant provides a work environment for students and researchers to experiment with new concepts and solutions.
The facilities are designed so that small- and medium-sized businesses can partner with CSI to test their own use cases. The Institute also supports innovation by providing a low-cost test facility with state-of-the-art technology and a highly trained staff.
Vial Fill Cell Build Partners
