The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) has announced that registration is now open for the inaugural educational conference, Extrusion Design University-EDU '18. This learning experience provides an educational opportunity to individuals who are interested in expanding and honing their understanding of aluminum extrusion design, applications and technology.
EDU '18 is a two-day conference scheduled to take place Monday, May 14 through Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at the Chicago Marriott O'Hare in Chicago, IL. The event will feature more than 20 educational sessions, EDU Expo, networking events and add-on workshops.
"The AEC's Industry Promotion program has delivered important engineering and design knowledge to over 14,000 professionals. Our webinar program and other offerings continue to grow each year," said AEC President Jeff Henderson. "We became convinced there is such a wide demand for this knowledge that it made sense to put together a conference featuring the best education available, with the most expert teachers, and offer a trade expo so attendees can truly hear and see the latest offerings from the aluminum extrusion industry."
More than 20 hour-long educational sessions over two days covering topics on aluminum extrusion design, applications and technology will be delivered by speakers with knowledge in a variety of aluminum extrusion technologies. The speakers who will lead the sessions were hand-picked by the AEC from the wealth of AEC members who are committed to advancing the industry and sharing aluminum extrusion knowledge. These speakers were chosen because of their reputation and expertise on specific topics, and who will make the in-person format of the conference an interactive, enlightening and empowering experience. Sessions will be vetted and submitted for continuing education units for registrants who want to stay current on their professional development requirements.
Some of the confirmed topics and speakers include:
- Specifying & Achieving Desired Extrusion Performance for Automotive Extrusions - Mark Butterfield; VP Engineering & Manufacturing, Magnode Corporation
- Aluminum Extrusion Anodizing for B&C Applications: What You Should Know - Eric Koger; Finishing Manager, Bonnell Aluminum
- Maintaining Finished Aluminum - Chris Incorvaia, Business Development Manager-Façade Restoration, Stuart Dean
- Architectural Applications for Liquid & Powder Fluoropolymer Paint - Scott Moffatt, Architectural Sales Manager-Building Products, PPG Industries
- Al-Mg-Si Alloys with Improved Crush Properties - Jostein Royset, Hydro Aluminum R&D and Technology.
Other topics scheduled to be addressed include:
- Aluminum extrusion thermal break methods
- Anodizing for automotive applications
- Machining and fabrication of aluminum extrusions
- Green building codes for aluminum extrusions
- LED lighting & aluminum extrusion
- Alloy quality, standards and fatigue.
There also will be a special "Taste of ET" track that features some of the award-winning papers delivered at the recent International Aluminum Extrusion Technology Seminar. The papers represent technology research and best practices that the aluminum extrusion industry is engaged in to stay ahead of the curve.
Workshops Provide Enhanced Learning Opportunities
In-conjunction workshops will be offered to provide attendees with more learning opportunities before and after the conference. The educational events require additional registration and fees and registrants can choose to add one or more workshops to their EDU '18 experience, or if not attending EDU '18, can register for just a workshop.
The Aluminum Anodizers Council (AAC) will be conducting the Anodizing Essentials - Level 1 workshop. Anodizing Essentials is a "School for Anodizers" that covers more than the fundamentals of anodizing. Experienced industry practitioners and trouble-shooters provide details on the foundation of quality anodizing. This workshop is designed to increase the knowledge and ability of anyone involved in operating an anodizing line. The workshop is scheduled from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and the program takes the learner through the entire process - beginning with the metallurgical properties of aluminum alloys commonly anodized right through to the final rinse and sealing processes. This course is suitable for those who may be new to working the anodizing line, as well as those who oversee the process or who may simply want a refresher - a reminder of best practices.
Also on Monday, Randy Kissell, P.E., of Trinity Consultants, will share his expertise in a special seminar, Determining the Strength of Aluminum Extruded Members. Kissell has been involved in the design, fabrication, erection and inspection of aluminum structures since 1978, including 12 years as the engineering manager of Conservatek, an aluminum space frame manufacturer and erector. In the seminar, Kissell will discuss the many advantages of using extruded aluminum for structural applications, explain how designers can exploit the versatility of extrusions and how to calculate the structural strength of such shapes using The Specification for Aluminum Structures, published by The Aluminum Association. The seminar is scheduled from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
On Thursday, May 17, AEC will host a one-day course, Extrusion Excellence: Applied Fundamentals for Aluminum Extruders. The course is taught by Dr. Wojciech Misiolek, Director of the Institute for Metal Forming at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA where he is the Loewy Professor of Materials Forming and Processing. The Extrusion Excellence program provides learners with a well-rounded education on the fundamentals of the aluminum extrusion process from billet production through the press to the runout table.
For more information contact:
Aluminum Extruders Council
1000 N. Rand Rd., Ste. 214
Wauconda, IL 60084
www.AEC.org/EDU18