Manufacturing Tech Council
Driving Innovation Through Advanced Technology


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Mission


 
 


The Manufacturing Tech Council is a membership-based community for manufacturing technology leaders who want to understand how advanced technologies are transforming the industry — and how to use them to succeed.
Our mission is to prepare our members for a future that holds both opportunities and challenges. We provide a virtual forum to meet the people, products, and ideas that are driving manufacturing forward, and a peer-to-peer network to inspire the new ways of thinking and solving problems that are essential not just for success, but also for survival.
From additive and advanced robotics to augmented reality and generative design, there are faster, more efficient and more customer-driven approaches to the manufacturing process. Each day technology changes the way things are made, sold, bought and serviced. Join your peers and industry leaders who are on the forefront of this revolution. We invite you to engage in this endeavor of discovery and growth.
 
 
The Manufacturing Tech Council is a membership organization for manufacturing technology leaders who want to understand how emerging technologies are transforming
 their industry—from additive manufacturing to blockchain-powered supply chains to machine learning.
Our mission is to prepare our members for the upside and challenges of a rapidly evolving manufacturing technology landscape, expose them to the people, products, and ideas that are fundamentally
 changing the way products are made and manufactured, and connect them with other industry leaders in a peer-to-peer network to inspire different thinking and solving problems.
Benefits


 
8​​ ​​In-Depth,​​ ​​Live​​ ​​Video​​ ​​Sessions
Get​ ​exclusive​ ​access​ ​to​ ​private,​ ​livestreamed​ ​video​ ​sessions​ ​with
industry​ ​thought​ ​leaders,​ ​startup​ ​founders,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​world’s​ ​leading
technologists,​ ​moderated​ ​by​ ​host​ ​John​ ​Gallant​ ​(former​ ​Chief
Content​ ​Officer​ ​for​ ​IDG—CIO,​ ​NetworkWorld,​ ​InfoWorld).​ ​




Face-to-Face​​ ​​Meetings
We​ ​host​ ​regular​ ​invitation-only​ ​events​ ​in​ ​Chicago​​ ​and​ ​San Francisco​ ​to​ ​strengthen​ ​your​ ​professional​ ​network​ ​and​ ​connect​ ​you
with​ ​other​ ​Council​ ​members.​ ​Discuss​ ​and​ ​explore​ ​issues​ ​on​ ​how
emerging​ ​technologies​ ​are​ ​driving​ ​change in​ ​your​ ​industry.




Member​​ ​​Platform
Grow​ ​your​ ​business​ ​network​ ​and​ ​share​ ​your​ ​knowledge.​ ​Research
new​ ​technologies,​ ​connect​ ​with​ ​fellow​ ​Council​ ​members,​ ​watch
videos​ ​of​ ​past​ ​sessions,​ ​and​ ​explore​ ​data​ ​every​ ​day​ ​on​ ​our​ ​private,
online​ ​platform.




The IMTS Experience 
See the latest trends in manufacturing technology first-hand at IMTS – The International Technology Show. Council members are invited on a one-of-a-kind curated tour of advanced technology exhibits, including the IMTS Emerging Technology Center. Leading experts will demonstrate how new technologies are making a big impact on manufacturing. www.IMTS.com, SEPT 10-15, 2018, McCormick Place Chicago 




Database​​ ​​of​​ ​​Enterprise-Ready​​ ​​Startups
Search​ ​our​ ​growing​ ​database​ ​of​ ​pre-vetted,​ ​enterprise-ready
startups.​ ​See​ ​funding​ ​data​ ​and​ ​customers.​ ​Sort​ ​by​ ​topic​ ​and
industry,​ ​or​ ​create​ ​your​ ​own​ ​custom​ ​lists.​ ​Share​ ​startup​ ​lists​ ​and
profiles​ ​with​ ​your​ ​team.




Ask​​ ​​The​​ ​​Network
Leverage​ ​the​ ​expertise​ ​of​ ​fellow​ ​Council​ ​members​ ​and​ ​speed​ ​up
your​ ​decision-making.​ ​Pose​ ​questions​ ​(publicly​ ​or​ ​anonymously)​ ​to
the​ ​entire​ ​Council.​ ​Or​ ​discuss​ ​with​ ​smaller​ ​groups​ ​in​ ​private​ ​chats,​ ​or
one-on-one​ ​via​ ​direct​ ​messages​ ​through​ ​the​ ​member​ ​directory.




Host


 
 
erick-headshot


Erick Schonfeld​
Executive Producer, Manufacturing Tech Council
Erick has been discovering and working with startups his entire professional career as a technology journalist, startup event producer, and founder. Erick is the former Executive Producer of the DEMO conferences and former Editor-in-Chief of TechCrunch (where he helped conceive, lead and select startups for the Disrupt conferences, among other duties). Prior to TechCrunch, which he joined as Co-Editor in 2007, Erick was Editor-at-Large for Business 2.0 magazine, and a senior writer at Fortune magazine covering technology. 
 
John​ ​Gallant
​
Executive Producer, Manufacturing Tech Council
Currently a senior executive at Traction Technology Partners, John​ ​Gallant​ ​is​ ​a​ ​seasoned​ ​journalist,​ ​analyst​ ​and​ ​event​ ​moderator​ ​with more​ ​than​ ​30​ ​years​ ​of​ ​involvement​ ​in​ ​the​ ​technology​ ​industry.​ ​He​ ​has interviewed​ ​the​ ​top​ ​executives​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​important​ ​vendors​ ​and​ ​emerging companies,​ ​along​ ​with​ ​the​ ​most​ ​senior​ ​IT​ ​leaders​ ​of​ ​corporate​ ​America.
Most​ ​recently,​ ​Gallant​ ​was​ ​Senior​ ​Vice​ ​President​ ​and​ ​Chief​ ​Content​ ​Officer of​ ​IDG​ ​US​ ​Media.​ ​In​ ​this​ ​role,​ ​he​ ​worked​ ​with​ ​the​ ​editorial​ ​leaders​ ​of​ ​IDG’s CIO,​ ​CSO,​ ​Computerworld,​ ​Greenbot,​ ​InfoWorld,​ ​JavaWorld,​ ​Macworld,Network​ ​World,​ ​PCWorld​ ​and​ ​TechHive​ ​titles,​ ​setting​ ​content​ ​strategy​ ​and ensuring​ ​that​ ​the​ ​brands​ ​served​ ​their​ ​respective​ ​audiences​ ​with​ ​the​ ​best digital​ ​media​ ​and​ ​services​ ​in​ ​the​ ​industry.​ ​Gallant,​ ​one​ ​of​ ​Network​ ​World’s founders,​ ​was​ ​formerly​ ​CEO​ ​and​ ​editorial​ ​director​ ​for​ ​that​ ​company,​ ​where he​ ​guided​ ​content​ ​and​ ​business​ ​development​ ​for​ ​print​ ​and​ ​online,​ ​as​ ​well as​ ​Network​ ​World’s​ ​events.
 
Event​ ​Schedule


  • February​ 27, ​2018 ​
    Speakers:
     
    Doug Woods, CEO, AMT
     
    David King, CEO, FogHorn Systems
     
    Jon Sobel, CEO and Co-founder, Sight Machine.
    Machine​ ​Learning​ ​and​ ​Manufacturing
    Machine​ ​learning​ ​promises​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​deep​ ​insights​ ​and​ ​automated​ ​suggestions​ ​to​ ​improve
manufacturing​ ​productivity,​ ​reduce​ ​downtime,​ ​increase​ ​equipment​ ​effectiveness​ ​and​ ​make​ ​your
organization​ ​more​ ​competitive.​ ​But​ ​machine​ ​learning​ ​requires​ ​a​ ​commitment​ ​to​ ​quality​ ​data​ ​and
savvy​ ​analytics​ ​skills.​ ​Understand​ ​how​ ​machine​ ​learning​ ​really​ ​works​ ​and​ ​how​ ​it​ ​can​ ​be​ ​woven
into​ ​your​ ​processes​ ​today.
  • March​ 27, ​2018 
    Speakers:
     
    Tim Shinbara, VP Technology, AMT
     
    Joseph DeSimone, CEO and Co-Founder, Carbon
     
    Ric Fulop, CEO and Founder,Desktop Metal.
    ​Additive​ ​Manufacturing
    Additive​ ​manufacturing​ ​–​ ​the​ ​industrial-strength​ ​version​ ​of​ ​3D​ ​printing​ ​–​ ​brings​ ​new​ ​speed​ ​and
flexibility​ ​to​ ​the​ ​manufacturing​ ​process​ ​and​ ​can​ ​change​ ​the​ ​way​ ​your​ ​company​ ​designs,
prototypes,​ ​and​ ​delivers​ ​new​ ​products.​ ​It’s​ ​already​ ​being​ ​applied​ ​by​ ​industrial​ ​giants​ ​like​ ​GE.
See​ ​the​ ​latest​ ​advances​ ​in​ ​additive​ ​manufacturing​ ​and​ ​learn​ ​how​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​them​ ​to​ ​your
operations.
  • April 24, ​2018 	​
    Keynote:
      	
    Michael Campbell, EVP, ThingWorx Platform, PTC Corp.
      	​
    Speakers:
      	
    Brian Ballard, Founder, CEO, Upskill
      	
    Paul Boris, COO, Vuzix
           Augmented Factories
    Augmented reality technology has a wide array of potential applications for manufacturers – everything from assisting workers with advanced (and challenging) assembly chores, improving the productivity and effectiveness of maintenance personnel, and putting the knowledge of manufacturing experts in the hands of colleagues around the globe. Learn about the current state of AR solutions for manufacturers and see how early adopters are putting AR to the test today.
  • May​ 29, ​2018 
    Keynote:
     	
    Stephen J. Rogers, VP, Blockchain Initiatives for Supply Chain, Industry Platforms, IBM
       	​
    Speakers:
       	 
    Michael Cromheecke, Co-Founder, CEO, SteamChain,
     
    John Monarch, CEO, ShipChain
         ​Blockchain​ ​For​ ​Your​ ​Supply​ ​Chain
    You’ve​ ​heard​ ​of​ ​Bitcoin,​ ​but​ ​how​ ​much​ ​do​ ​you​ ​know​ ​about​ ​blockchain​ ​–​ ​the​ ​powerful​ ​distributed
ledger​ ​technology​ ​that​ ​underpins​ ​Bitcoin​ ​and​ ​other​ cryptocurrencies,​ ​and​ ​that​ ​will​ ​have​ ​a​ ​profound
impact​ ​on​ ​your​ ​manufacturing​ ​operations?​ ​Blockchain​ ​applications​ ​include​ ​securing​ ​the​ ​supply
chain,​ ​fighting​ ​counterfeiting,​ ​and​ ​reducing​ ​intellectual​ ​property​ ​theft.​ ​Find​ ​out​ ​how​ ​the
blockchain​ ​works​ ​and​ ​see​ ​how​ ​it’s​ ​being​ ​applied​ ​in​ ​manufacturing​ ​environments.
  • June 26,​ ​2018
    Keynote:
    Alain Ouellette, director of operations for GE Aviation
     	 
    Speakers:
       	  
    Bill Huang, founder and CEO at CloudMinds, Inc,
      
    Derik Pridmore, Co-Founder, CEO at Osaro, Inc.
         ​Advanced,​ ​Self-Learning​ ​Robotics
    Robotics​ ​is​ ​entering​ ​a​ ​brave​ ​new​ ​world​ ​where​ ​robots​ ​are​ ​more​ ​mobile​ ​and​ ​autonomous,
self-learning​ ​and​ ​capable​ ​of​ ​handling​ ​a​ ​wider​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​more-complex​ ​tasks​ ​on​ ​the​ ​production
floor.​ ​How​ ​will​ ​these​ ​advanced​ ​robotic​ ​systems​ ​change​ ​your​ ​production​ ​processes​ ​and​ ​how​ ​will they​ ​impact​ ​your​ ​supply​ ​chain​ ​and​ ​your​ ​workforce?​ ​Learn​ ​the​ ​state-of-the-art​ ​in​ ​advanced
robotics​ ​and​ ​how​ ​this​ ​technology​ ​will​ ​make​ ​it​ ​to​ ​your​ ​shop​ ​floor.

  • July​ ​31, 2018

    Keynote:
      
    Russ Waddell 
    MTConnect Institute
     
    AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology
      
    Speakers:
    Bryce Barnes, Global Lead, Manufacturing Solutions Development, Cisco
    MTConnect - A Deep Dive into the Emerging Standard for Connecting Machines
    We are on the verge of creating a true Internet of Machines where machines talk to each other using a common language. That emerging standard is MTConnect—a semantic vocabulary for manufacturing equipment to provide structured, contextualized data with no proprietary format. With uniform data, developers and integrators can focus on useful, productive manufacturing applications rather than translation. In this session, you will learn about the latest developments in MTConnect, how you can put it into practice, and what is the potential ROI of doing so.

  •  September​ ​25, 2018 
     
    Keynote:
       
    Stephen Hooper,
     Vice President for Design and Manufacturing, Autodesk 
     
    Speakers:
     
    Jesse Coors-Blankenship, Founder, CEO, Frustum, Inc.
     
    Bradley Rothenberg, Co-Founder, CEO, nTopology, Inc
     
      ​Generative​ ​Design
    Generative​ ​design​ ​is​ ​a​ ​completely​ ​different​ ​approach​ ​to​ ​product​ ​design.​ ​Rather​ ​than​ ​traditional
designs​ ​based​ ​on​ ​what​ ​you​ ​already​ ​know,​ ​you​ ​establish​ ​design​ ​goals​ ​and​ ​apply​ ​vast​ ​computing
power​ ​to​ ​generate​ ​powerful​ ​new​ ​designs​ ​beyond​ ​your​ ​imagination.​ ​Generative​ ​design​ ​can​ ​cut
design​ ​time,​ ​speed​ ​prototyping​ ​(especially​ ​when​ ​combined​ ​with​ ​the​ ​power​ ​of​ ​additive
manufacturing),​ ​and​ ​cut​ ​production​ ​and​ ​material​ ​expense.​ ​How​ ​can​ ​you​ ​put​ ​this​ ​power​ ​to​ ​work
for​ ​you​ ​today?
  •  October ​23, 2018 
    Keynote:
     
    Michael Holman, Vice President of Research, Lux Research
     	  
    Speakers:
     
    Jim Phillips, CEO, NanoMech
       
    Miguel Galvez, CEO, NBD Nanotechnologies
          ​Nanotechnology/New​ ​Materials
    Working​ ​at​ ​the​ ​molecular​ ​or​ ​atomic​ ​level,​ ​nanotechnology​ ​promises​ ​the​ ​emergence​ ​of​ ​a​ ​wide range​ ​of​ ​new​ ​materials​ ​that​ ​can​ ​change​ ​what​ ​you​ ​build​ ​and​ ​how​ ​you​ ​build​ ​it.​ ​It’s​ ​been​ ​hyped​ ​for years,​ ​but​ ​do​ ​you​ ​know​ ​how​ ​leading​ ​manufacturers​ ​are​ ​capturing​ ​the​ ​power​ ​of​ ​nanotech​ ​and new​ ​materials,​ ​and​ ​where​ ​it​ ​makes​ ​sense​ ​for​ ​your​ ​organization?​ ​Get​ ​beyond​ ​the​ ​buzz​ ​and​ ​look at​ ​solutions​ ​that​ ​can​ ​be​ ​deployed​ ​now.
  •   November​ ​27, 2018      
    Keynote:
          
             Chris Rezendes, Chief Business Officer, Spherical Analytics, and      
                
    Founder/Managing Director
         
    IoT Impact LABS
          
    Speakers:
          
    William Sobel, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder of Vimana
          
    Ron Victor, Founder and CEO, IoTium
           ​Industrial​ ​Internet​ ​(IIoT)> ​Industrial​ ​Internet​ ​(IIoT)
    In​ ​a​ ​world​ ​of​ ​machines​ ​and​ ​products​ ​outfitted​ ​with​ ​sensors,​ ​we’ll​ ​be​ ​awash​ ​in​ ​a​ ​sea​ ​of
information​ ​that​ ​can​ ​improve​ ​our​ ​supply​ ​chains,​ ​increase​ ​product​ ​reliability​ ​and​ ​serviceability,
and​ ​reduce​ ​design,​ ​production​ ​and​ ​support​ ​costs.​ ​The​ ​Industrial​ ​Internet​ ​of​ ​Things​ ​isn’t​ ​without
its​ ​challenges,​ ​however.​ ​You’ll​ ​face​ ​security,​ ​communications​ ​and​ ​data​ ​management/analytics
issues,​ ​among​ ​others.​ ​Understand​ ​how​ ​top​ ​manufacturers​ ​are​ ​building​ ​their​ ​IoT​ ​operations​ ​and
what​ ​new​ ​tools​ ​can​ ​help​ ​you​ ​capture​ ​the​ ​promise​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Industrial​ ​Internet.
  • January 15, 2019 
    Keynote:
          
    John Rassieur, Managing Partner, Digital Manufacturing Transformation, Americas Consulting, DXC Technology
    Speakers:
     
    Evan Kaplan, CEO, InfluxData
    Willem Sundblad, CEO, Oden Technologies
    Building a Digital Strategy
    No industry generates more data than manufacturing, says consultancy McKinsey, yet the vast majority of that information goes untapped. It’s time to change that with a Digital Strategy that enables manufacturing executives, designers, workers, machines, and more to capture the value of this vast data reserve to create new revenue and product opportunities. Explore emerging digital solutions to help you collect, connect, store, analyze and utilize data from your existing systems, as well as the advanced digital technologies you’re deploying – without a massive overhaul of your manufacturing environment. 
  • February 12, 2019
    Keynote:
          
    Wilfried Bair, VP of Engineering for NextFlex
    Speakers:
     
    Sam Cece, CEO of Swift Sensors
    Dr. Yang Zhao, CEO, Aceinna
     Sensor Technology
    We’re rapidly moving beyond the current generation of cheap, embeddable sensors into a world of adaptable, intelligent sensors that provide a wealth of additional data and empower improved machine-to-machine communications along with localized decision-making that speeds response and problem resolution. Micro-sensor implants, organic and bio-degradable sensors, sensor swarms, and multi-function sensors, among other advances, can find and infer new types of information, and hold vast promise to improve processes, increase product quality and create new revenue streams. Learn what’s emerging today in Advanced Sensor Technology.
  • March 19, 2019
    Keynote:
          
    Thomas R. Kurfess, Ph.D., P.E., Chief Manufacturing Officer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Manufacturing Demonstration Facility 
    Speakers:
     
    Dave Ramahi, CEO of Optomec
    Jason Jones, CEO and Co-Founder of Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies
     Hybrid Manufacturing
    Combining the best of two worlds – additive (3D printing) and traditional ‘subtractive’ (read CNC) systems – hybrid manufacturing holds tremendous promise for improving fabrication and precision for complex part and unique geometries. Emerging hybrid solutions are becoming available from a variety of traditional and emerging machine tool companies, but are they right for your shop today? Learn where hybrid manufacturing is best deployed, and what lessons early adopters are learning as they embrace this ‘ambidextrous’ technology. Find out more about the next steps in the evolution of hybrid manufacturing.
  • April 9, 2019
    Keynote:
          
    Vinay Jammu, Technology Leader, Physical-Digital Analytics & Software at GE Global Research
    Speakers:
     
    Lior Akavia, co-founder and CEO, Seebo
    Jay Allardyce, Executive Vice President of Industry, Product and Partnerships, Uptake
     Digital Twin
    Digital Twins provide more than just a virtual replica of real-world assets, from aircraft engines to wind turbines to manufacturing systems – encompassing even a virtualized factory environment. Capitalizing on AI and machine learning, Digital Twins can optimize performance, reduce repair and downtime, improve manufacturing processes, as well as support new services-based revenue models. Here’s what you need to know to capture the value of Digital Twins, from where to begin to how to analyze and profit from the vast amount of data generated. You also learn how existing CAD/CAM systems are evolving to support Digital Twins.
  • May 14, 2019
    Keynote:
    Jeffrey Hojlo, Program Director, IDC Manufacturing Insights
    Speakers:
     
    Randy Altschuler, CEO of Xometry
    Jeremy Herrman, Founder, Plethora
     Manufacturing As a Service
    MaaS is democratizing manufacturing, giving more people the ability to create new things and offering new revenue opportunities for existing manufacturers. Imagine a virtual manufacturing world where parts and products are built on demand closes to customers, and underutilized assets become more productive and lucrative. The promise exists, but there are substantial challenges to overcome as well, not least the security of the manufacturing data that drives the MaaS process. We’ll explore the emerging array of MaaS options and examine how MaaS can reshape your manufacturing strategy today.
  • July 16, 2019
    Keynote:
    Marvin Goins, Mgr, Corporate Security Architecture, Information Technology, Eastman Chemical Company
    Speakers:
     
    Ben Miller, VP, Threat Operations, Dragos 
    Chris Rouland, Founder/CEO, Phosphorus Cyber Security
     Securing Industry 4.0
    As we digitize manufacturing processes, create a digital thread connecting every phase of a product’s lifecycle, and harvest data from all our machines and tools via the Internet of Things, we open the door to a growing number of security threats and create additional attack vectors for a virtual Pandora’s Box of new risks - from disruption of manufacturing processes to theft of information and intellectual property. Security is the dark underbelly of Industry 4.0, the stinging fly in the ointment. But don’t despair. There are a wide variety of new strategies and technologies that promise to shore up our defenses and protect next-generation manufacturing operations. Find out more as we explore the evolving state of manufacturing security. 
  • September 10, 2019 Update 2019: AI and Additive Manufacturing
    Artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing were among the most important topics covered in year-one MTC webinars, but a lot has changed since we first explored the emerging tech landscape in AI and 3D printing. A panel of manufacturing technology experts will examine the evolving landscape in AI and additive, as well as insights into new deployment applications for these technologies and the latest solutions from startup companies. 
  • October 15, 2019  Metamaterials in Manufacturing
    Metamaterials, designed to exhibit properties not found in naturally occurring materials, sound like the stuff of science fiction - bending, blocking, absorbing and deflecting electronic, magnetic waves like light, among other things. They might even make your Invisibility Cloak possible! These composites, which can provide more elasticity, enhanced acoustical properties, and lighter-weight, more durable materials, promise a whole new generation of products and components. Explore the reality of metamaterials today and understand how they could be applied in your manufacturing setting. 
  • November 19, 2019 Cognitive Automation
    Cognitive automation takes robotic process automation (RPA) to the next level - from acting like a human to thinking like a human. In fact, consultancy KPMG says it will "lead to a revolution in scale, adoption, and impact of artificial intelligence” and cautions that companies “need to move fast to reap the powerful benefits promised and to ensure that they can compete in the future.” Cognitive automation is sometimes called “white collar automation” for its role in streamlining a number of business processes, but it also has a variety of game-changing applications in the manufacturing realm. Where will cognitive automation impact your factory floor? We’ll examine the state of the art in CA and how early adopters are capitalizing on it.


Why Join?


 
  • Doug Woods, President, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology
    "From machine learning and augmented reality to blockchain and advanced robotics, the velocity of change in manufacturing due to transformative technologies is faster than anything I’ve seen in my 40 years in the industry. The Manufacturing Tech Council plays a critical role in identifying the technologies making the most impact, presenting their different applications to improve businesses, and building a community of business leaders interested in being part of the change that is happening."
    Doug Woods, President, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology
  • Tim Shinbara, VP Technology, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology
    "The Manufacturing Tech Council is that one place that’s focused on manufacturing technology innovation that also provides an extension to my network from relevant start-ups to peers and potential partners without all the extra travel and expenses."
    Tim Shinbara, VP Technology, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology
  • Erick Schonfeld, Traction Technology Partners
    "The opportunity to reinvent manufacturing with digital technologies is vast, and just getting underway. You can either learn how to harness emerging tech, or get swept away by it."
    Erick Schonfeld, Traction Technology Partners
  • John Gallant, Executive Producer, Manufacturing Tech Council
    "The Manufacturing Tech Council provides a unique opportunity to learn more about new, disruptive technologies and how they are being applied by savvy manufacturers to innovate and change the competitive landscape, as well as an opportunity to network with peers and experts in a variety of game-changing areas."

 
    John Gallant, Executive Producer, Manufacturing Tech Council


 

		

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