This year The ASSEMBLY Show will offer an expanded conference program, including 20 educational presentations and three pre-show workshops, giving attendees the opportunity to hear industry experts discuss the latest technological advances and manufacturing trends. The ASSEMBLY Show will take place from Tuesday, October 27, through Thursday, October 29, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.
"We are pleased to be expanding our education program this year and will provide more educational opportunities, more products, companies and hours in the exhibit hall, as well as more networking," stated Tom Esposito, Publisher of ASSEMBLY magazine. "For 2015 we will be offering a third pre-conference half-day workshop and doubling the number of education sessions we are offering our attendees. Our enhanced education program has been designed to keep engineers and managers responsible for manufacturing and design current on trends, advancements and the future of assembly."
The following half-day workshops will run from 1:00 - 4:00 PM on Tuesday, October 27:
- Additive Manufacturing Workshop: Additive manufacturing is moving out of the lab and onto the shop floor. A technology that was once reserved for quickly making prototypes is now being used to produce jigs, fixtures and assembly-ready parts. Presenters will include John O'Hara, Sciaky Inc.; James Dagg, Altair/solidThinking Inc.; Jim Hasseberger, solidThinking Inc.; and Allen Kreemer, Stratasys.
- Design for Manufacturing & Assembly Workshop: This workshop will focus on how to analyze and reduce the cost of designs. At least 85% of manufacturing costs are determined in the early stages of design. When engineers make informed design decisions during the concept stage, they can avoid costly corrections later on. Speakers at this workshop will include Chris Tsai, Boothroyd Dewhurst Inc.; David Sweet, Boothroyd Dewhurst Inc.; James A. Rains, Jr., Advanced Value Group LLC; and Joseph Fiksel, The Ohio State University.
- Methods for Mixed Materials Assembly Workshop: Auto parts, appliances, medical devices and many other products increasingly contain a mix of material - steel, aluminum, plastics, composites, glass and ceramics. Mixed-material designs might be implemented to reduce weight, cut costs, increase strength or simply improve aesthetics. Presenters will include Kelly Binnendyk, Extol; Michael Pomykala, Henkel Corp.; and Bastian Hartmann, Bollhoff Inc.
On Wednesday, October 28, and Thursday, October 29, there will be 20 seminars held in the exhibit hall in customized showcase theaters, including the following:
- A Process for Selecting the Optimum Leak Testing Method: presented by Paul Chamberlain, LACO Technologies Inc.
- Cordless Technology Takes Error Proofing to New Levels: presented by Kevin Reiland, Panasonic Assembly Tools (Webinar)
- Cutting the Cord - Ergonomic and Cordless Power Tool Solutions: presented by Dave Garner, Desoutter Industrial Tools
- Latest Advances in Precision Fluid Dispensing Technologies, Including New Jetting Systems: presented by Claude Bergeron, Nordson EFD
- How You Can Leverage the Smart Factory Today: presented by Nuzha Yakoob, Sr., Product Manager, Electromechanical, Festo Corp.
- Adhesive and Tape Technologies to Replace Mechanical Fasteners: presented by Shari Loushin, 3M's Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Laboratory (Webinar)
- Flexible, Scalable, Sustainable Assembly Line Design: presented by Rod Emery, RedViking
- Technology Developments in Loctite Liquid Optically Clear Adhesives (LOCAs) for Display Lamination Applications: presented by Kelly Nelson, Henkel Corp. (Webinar)
- Shifting Technology of CAM-Driven Indexers and Gripping Solutions: presented by Gary Labadie, DE-STA-CO.
- 2016 State of the Profession Report: presented by Austin Weber, ASSEMBLY Magazine (Webinar)
- Common Sense Lean Thinking: presented by Doug Sparks, Flex Craft LLC
- Squeezing More Productivity and Profit from Your Harness Assembly: presented by Patrick Ryan, Panduit (Webinar)
- Flexible, Easy and Fast Integration of Continuous Improvement - Enhancing your Existing Controls Architecture with IO-Link: presented by Will Healy III, Balluff Inc.
- The Assembly Roadshow: Automated Assembly Systems Panel Discussion & Parts Review: moderated by John Sprovieri, ASSEMBLY Magazine (Webinar)
- A Swift Kick in the Bowls - The Latest Advancements in Vibratory Feeding Technology: presented by Klaus Bott, Afag Global Feeding Technology
- Advances in Flange and Thread Sealant Technology and Applications: presented by Michael Feeney, Henkel Corp. (Webinar)
- Increasing Profits by Utilizing Robots in Assembly Applications: presented by Martin G. Albert, Stèubli Robotics
- 2016 Capital Equipment Spending Outlook: presented by John Sprovieri, ASSEMBLY Magazine (Webinar).
In addition to the seminar series and half-day workshops, there will be a keynote presentation on Wednesday, October 28, at 9 AM featuring Richard Morris, Vice President of Assembly & Logistics, BMW Manufacturing Co. The presentation, "Leading Sustainable Improvement," will provide a thought-provoking perspective of how to effectively guide organizations through process change improvement. Richard Morris will review BMW's commitment to profit before growth as it relates to economic, environmental and social sustainability. In addition, Morris will address lean manufacturing and continuous improvement as he shares examples of how BMW's plant in South Carolina has achieved remarkable success in the last 20 years.
For information about The ASSEMBLY Show and to register, visit www.theassemblyshow.com.