Two free-to-attend conference streams addressing key issues, best practice and technological innovation will run alongside Subcon, the Advanced Manufacturing Show and The Engineer Design & Innovation Show.
World-class speakers come from global blue-chip organisations including Microsoft, Siemens, BAE Systems, Jaguar Land Rover, Bureau Veritas, Stratasys, Lloyds Bank and Renishaw.
The programme will also feature leading technological experts from top research and development bodies and special presentations giving an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at companies showing the highest levels of engineering innovations and ingenuity in their products, including Ocado Technologies, BAC Mono and leading HiFi turntable manufacturer Rega Research.
The sessions will be held in two separate streams hosted by The Engineer and The Manufacturer respectively.
Thirty-six sessions across the three days will cover topics ranging from virtual reality, additive manufacturing and Industry 4.0 to materials testing, updates to AS9100, magnesium components and big data.
Microsoft’s Lars Knoke will be examining the potential for Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality in manufacturing and supply chains, while some of the UK’s foremost authorities on additive manufacturing (AM) will be looking at the latest developments in this technology.
Phil Reeves of Stratasys and Prof Richard Hague of Nottingham University will be giving keynote presentations looking, respectively, at where to get the most valuable business benefits from AM and multifunctional 3D printing of complete components.
Complementing these talks, Marc Saunders of Renishaw will look at metal additive manufacturing as a viable series production process and Desi Bacheva of HiETA will look at its potential for lightweight automotive components.
Other keynote speakers include Sam Turner, chief technology officer at the High Value Manufacturing Catapult; Andy Wright, director strategic technology at BAE Systems Programmes and Support, who will be looking at disruptive technologies and the future of manufacturing; while Michael Ward, chief technology officer at the Advanced Forming Research Centre, will be looking at the way we will use conventional technologies in the future.
The fourth industrial revolution – also known as Industry 4.0 – will also be well covered, particularly from the perspective of SMEs and what they can do to engage with the demands these new technologies bring.
Alan Norbury of Siemens, Malcolm Harold of the Knowledge Transfer Network and Chris Richards of the EEF are among the speakers on this topic, while Bin Cai, powertrain metrology manager at Jaguar Land Rover, will explore the vital role that metrology plays as the interface between the physical and digital worlds.
For many visitors, the highpoint of the conferences will be three presentations focusing on innovation and excellence in engineering.
The speakers here are Sid Shaikh, who will be talking about the automation systems that Ocado has developed to make sure that its retail operation delivers; Roy Gandy, founder and innovator behind the renowned top-end British HiFi manufacturer Rega Research; and Neill Briggs of the Briggs Automotive Company on the story behind the BAC Mono, the single-seat, road-legal supercar that was dubbed ‘amazing’ by Jeremy Clarkson.
You can see the full conference programmes online at www.subconshow.co.uk/conference
You can find out more about visiting and exhibiting at the three shows at: www.subconshow.co.uk, www.advancedmanufacturingshow.co.uk and www.theengineer-designinnovationshow.co.uk
Engineering industry reacts to Reeves' budget
I´d have to say - ´help´ - in the longer term. It is well recognised that productivity in the UK lags well behind our major industrial competitors and...