ROLLS ROYCE, ROBOTICS, MOTORSPORT, PROSTHETICS AND BLOCKCHAIN SET TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT SUBCON THIS SUMMER

We are incredibly excited to announce that Rolls Royce CTO, Paul Stein will present the keynote at Subcon!  His presentation will be just one of the highlights of this year’s programme.  Elsewhere, sessions on digitalisation, robotics, prosthetics, motorsport, Blockchain, smart materials and technology transfer will be delivered by some of the UK’s leading engineers and its most innovative disruptors.

This year’s conference is a three-day, two-theatre, six-stream, 36-session programme showcasing cutting edge innovation and best practice from the worlds of engineering, manufacturing and supply chain management. The programme is free to attend for all Subcon visitors and can be viewed online at http://www.subconshow.co.uk/conference/2018-programme. 

Cross sector collaboration

A key theme of this year’s conference is cross-sector collaboration and technology transfer with Dr Caroline Hargrove, CTO of McLaren Applied Technologies, talking about how technological expertise in motorsport can be spun out into other sectors and BAE Systems’ Dr Henry White showing delegates how technology from the defence sector can be applied to the world of elite sport.

Other programme highlights include cybernetics specialist Nadine Stech, who helped to design Linx, the world’s most intelligent prosthetic limb, and the CTO of Fujitsu UK who will treat visitors to an explanation of Blockchain and how it can be applied to the engineering supply chain. Visitors will also be able to hear about the latest developments in driverless cars from Jaguar Land Rover’s head of autonomous projects Mark Cund.

To register to attend Subcon 2018 please visit www.subconshow.co.uk

Digital manufacturing excellence

On the manufacturing side, the conference programme will cover everything from the practicalities of implementing Industry 4.0 technology to the latest developments in 3D printing, composite materials, and advanced metrology technologies. Highlights here include Xaar’s Professor Neil Hopkinson one of the pioneers of 3D printing in the UK.

“Delegates at my session will learn to appreciate the immediacy of the opportunity of 3D printing for part production - it’s a field that is moving quickly – and understand where the technology does and does not make sense,” he explained. “They should also draw inspiration on where and how they can best add value to their organisations through 3D printing.”

Other key speakers include The AMRC’s head of digital Professor Rab Scott and Professor Dame Jane Jiang – who heads up the EPSRC’s Future Metrology hub at the University of Huddersfield.

In the words of conference director Jon Excell; “We’re really excited about the programme for this year’s conference - we’ve got a great mix of engineering leaders at the forefront of technological change and top academics who are plugging their research into real world, mainstream applications. Over the three days visitors will be able to gain expert insight into some of the big trends that are shaping engineering and manufacturing as well as being able to marvel at some of the UK’s most inspiring and innovative engineering projects.”

To register to attend Subcon 2018 please visit www.subconshow.co.uk

4.WHAT? Is UK manufacturing really ignorant to Industry 4.0 or just blinded by buzzwords?

Subcon research carried out earlier this year seemed to reveal that more than half of UK manufacturing and engineering businesses still don’t know what Industry 4.0 is.

When asked if they understood what Industry 4.0 is, more than one third (37%) answered no. A further 19% admitted they were unsure and less than one quarter were definite they had a handle on the concept.

Ignorance and investment plans?

However, the survey also showed that, even without high levels of confidence in their understanding of Industry 4.0, UK manufacturers and engineering businesses have been investing in the technologies associated with the fourth industrial revolution over the last 12 months, regardless; technologies including simulation, automation, robotics and 3D printing are dominating manufacturing investment plans.

•                46% have invested in simulation and CAD modelling technologies

•                36% have invested in automation and robotics

•                28% have invested in 3D printing

•                23% have invested in cyber-physical systems and the Internet of Things

And, looking ahead to the next year, respondents plan to invest even more with, for example, over a third keen to spend money on automation and robotics; investment that is being driven by the competitive issues of new product development and improving design and production processes.

•                34% plan on investing in automation and robotics

•                27% plan on investing in simulation and modelling

•                24% plan on investing in 3D printing

“This research is fascinating,” commented Subcon event director Gordon Kirk, “because it begs the question, ‘do UK engineering and manufacturing businesses understand the benefits of Industry 4.0 even though the term is proving tricky to grasp?’”

You can view the full survey results at http://www.subconshow.co.uk/visiting/show-news/2018/03/29/ignorance-4.0-uk-manufacturing-and-engineering-competitiveness-at-risk-from-lack-of-knowledge 

Just three months to go till Subcon 2018

 With just three months to go, industry preparations for Subcon, the defining event in the manufacturing supply chain calendar, are now well underway.  Now in its 42nd year, Subcon returns to the NEC in Birmingham across 5^th - 7^th June 2018. The landmark, three-day event will arm UK manufacturing and engineering professionals with the latest manufacturing and design solutions, alongside cutting-edge developments in advanced engineering technologies.

Of the 400 world-class suppliers who exhibited in 2017, more than a third have already confirmed for this year.  This includes businesses such as Bowman Additive Production and Laser Lines, both of whom provide 3D printing services and technology.  Elsewhere, CAD / CAM specialists Smart Design Services will demonstrate how design software can increase design efficiency and other software providers include ECI, Redthorn and IndySoft.

Other names already singed up include B.S.C (Diecasting), Carlton Die Casting, Cooper Brown Enterprises, Lucy Group, Timsons Engineering, Cogent Technology and measurement and metrology specialists such as Hexagon, Faro and Zeiss. 

The 2018 event will see a range of new pavilions, highlighting deep, last-mile expertise and providing keenly focused, industry specific solutions for metals, transport, materials, electronics, automotive, aerospace and energy sectors.

Also new for 2018, Subcon will be co-located with The Engineer Expo to create the first, truly cross sector industry event with visitors able to enjoy unlimited access to both shows. This will enable engineering and manufacturing visitors alike to see how they can optimise production and process throughout the design and manufacturing cycles.

A six-stream, 36-session conference programme will be held across two theatres.  A key theme of the event will be developing cross-sector collaboration: taking the lessons learnt from successful innovation within industries such as automotive, aerospace and defence, and applying them elsewhere to create true competitive advantage.

Speakers will include leaders from some of the biggest, most established names in UK engineering and manufacturing, alongside innovators from disruptive start-ups. Topics will include the latest Smart Factory developments, real world applications of the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced integrated circuits (ICs), sensing, measurement and process control, materials design, synthesis and processing. Elsewhere, expert panels will explore the potential of sustainable and additive manufacturing as well as showcasing industry case studies in cross sector collaboration and open innovation.

“2018 has already seen an incredibly strong start for UK manufacturing and engineering,” said Gordon Kirk, event director, Subcon.  “UK manufacturing output is expanding at its fastest rate since early 2008. November 2017 saw a seventh consecutive month of growth, so it is no wonder we are seeing such strong interest so early on, especially as this year Subcon will combine with The Engineer Expo to create the first truly cross sector event.”

To register your attendance at Subcon 2018 please visit www.subconshow.co.uk