SOLUTIONS THEATRES

Alongside the two keynote theatres there are, in addition, six Solutions Theatres. These theatres are again worth investigating by readers of The Manufacturer as the topics include key areas of interest: Automation & Robotics, Digital Transformation, IIoT & Connectivity, Industrial Data & AI, Innovation and Design Engineering. Additional free educational sessions are being hosted by the Institute for Manufacturing in the IfM Theatre. These Masterclasses are designed to challenge and extend the attendees' thinking in relation to some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities they face.

IfM uses research and frameworks developed at the University of Cambridge, so those attending the Masterclasses can gain practical insights and recommendations. IfM Industrial Practitioners have extensive expertise in supporting organisations across many sectors, and so are ideally placed to answer any questions and unpick problems.

The final timetable for this year’s Masterclasses will be released shortly but previous strategic topics have included: Strategic Roadmapping, Technology and Innovation Management, Sustainability – Scope 3 Emissions, Sustainability - Reducing Energy Waste and Digital Strategy.

IfM Masterclasses require advance booking, and this can be done when registering for your ticket for Smart Factory Expo.

The week beginning 5 June 2023 is Manufacturing & Engineering Week with the centrepiece exhibitions, Smart Factory Expo, Design & Engineering Expo, Maintec and the Drives & Controls zone taking place at Birmingham’s NEC on 7-8 June. Other exhibitions are also taking place at the NEC during the week and these include Automechanika run by Messe Frankfurt, Med-Tech Innovation Expo and TCT 3Sixty from Rapid News Group, and Subcon from the Mark Allen Group.

ABOVE: Innovation Alley will feature as part of Smart Factory Expo (full preview on page 6)

Games titled, Keeping the Games

Running, to a session on the critical role of maintenance in achieving net zero. RS is sponsoring the Maintec Theatre and will be presenting findings from a recent survey of more than 1,000 maintenance professionals as well as the Founder of RS Industria, Richard Jeffers, presenting a thoughtprovoking session on predictive maintenance as a way of life – not a technology.

In addition to hosting presentations on perennially important topics such as eliminating downtime, the theatre will also see several case studies presented as well as looking to the future of maintenance with papers and panel discussions on the role of AI and machine learning.

One conference session to mention (which is taking place in the Maintec Theatre) is from Engineers Without Borders UK. The keynote session on the afternoon of Wednesday 7 June will see the launch of a Global Responsibility Competency Compass. This session is focused on those struggling to respond effectively to the complexity, uncertainty and challenges of the age.

The action-oriented tool, developed through extensive consultation and testing, articulates the essential skills, knowledge and mindsets that engineers increasingly need to deliver the most positive impact on the four principles of global responsibility: responsible, purposeful, inclusive and regenerative. For those in manufacturing businesses who want to achieve something regarding their sustainability challenges then this session is a ‘must see’.

To register for a free pass visit: www.mandeweek.co.uk