EDMONTON, Alberta, May 15, 2017 /CNW/ -- For the past 30 years, the Western Manufacturing Technology Show (WMTS) has been the event where industry's manufacturing professionals come to meet, share, learn and purchase the very latest products, services and solutions. Produced by SME, the biennial event is set to take place at The Edmonton Expo Centre from June 6 - 8.
WMTS attendees will hear targeted, relevant keynote addresses from noted industry leaders and observers.
On Tuesday, June 6, Lonnie Love, PhD, FSME, corporate fellow and group leader of the Manufacturing Systems Research Group of Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, will discuss "Creating Disruptions in Manufacturing."
"We will describe recent technological advances that are radically changing the additive manufacturing industry," said Love. "Specifically, technological advances that directly impact the economics of additive enabling the development of microfactories where locally sourced materials can be transformed to locally manufactured products."
On Wednesday, June 7, Futurist Jim Carroll will present a keynote about the new reality of manufacturing. "There's a flood of new and expanding capabilities and methodologies, including exciting, rapid advancements in additive manufacturing," said Carroll, whose clients include NASA, Volvo/Mack Trucks and Magna International. "We'll speak to the impact of the Internet of Things on manufacturing process innovation; on spatial-innovation with advanced manufacturing robotics; and we'll discuss how new materials and substances allow for change in product development."
Also on June 7, Sandra L. Bouckley, FSME, P.Eng., 2017 SME president, will address "Creating the Manufacturing Workforce of the Future." Workforce development is an area of concern — and opportunity — throughout global manufacturing, as both technology and changing employee characteristics are creating increasing need for a qualified, talented workforce.
"Western Canadian manufacturers are facing the same steep challenge as all manufacturers: a growing skills gap," says Bouckley. "We have a great opportunity to address that talent shortfall by attracting and educating creative and capable young people; help them know the rewards of a new-generation, advanced manufacturing career."
WMTS features a tradeshow floor with more than 40,000 square feet of advanced technology from over 150 suppliers, as well as intimate and interactive Knowledge Pods that are led by industry experts. To learn more about WMTS or to register, visit wmts.ca.
About SME
SME connects all those who are passionate about making things that improve our world. As a nonprofit organization, SME has served practitioners, companies, educators, government and communities across the manufacturing spectrum for more than 80 years. Through its strategic areas of events, media, membership, training and development, and the SME Education Foundation, SME is uniquely dedicated to the advancement of manufacturing by addressing both knowledge and skills needed for the industry. Follow @SME_MFG on Twitter or facebook.com/SMEmfg.
SOURCE SME
Rick Crooks, 313-425-3186, [email protected], http://www.sme.org
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