Entry Date:
August 13, 2003

Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity/Industry Collegium (LMP)

Principal Investigator Timothy Gutowski

Co-investigators David Trumper , Sanjay Sarma


The Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity (LMP) is an interdepartmental laboratory in the School of Engineering, established in 1977, to conduct engineering research in manufacturing and to develop the fundamentals of manufacturing science. The primary research focus is on design, analysis, and control of manufacturing processes and systems. The LMP has an industrial collegium intended to provide members with a broad overview on new technology development for manufacturing processes.

The purpose of the LMP Collegium is to develop a close working relationship with a company. The Collegium holds periodic symposiums, makes LMP research reports available, teaches an annual one-week short course, and encourages LMP graduates to seek employment with its members. In addition, it works to connect MIT faculty with member companies.The goal of these connections is to foster communication, to establish collaborative research projects, and to transfer technology.

Perhaps the best way a company can benefit from the new technology that emerges from the LMP is to work with the lab to develop it. Companies that sponsor research get early access to results, and they can even have a student (or students) located at their facility for part of the year. Research project costs depend on the size of the project, the equipment or materials to be purchased, the personnel involved, and the need for travel.

The Lab has several sponsors already working with researchers to develop various manufacturing tools.