International Conference on Additive Manufacturing
The 12th annual International Conference on Additive Manufacturing will boast a full day event to uncover opportunities for businesses delivered by Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Network.
Designed to cut through the hype and encourage attendees to take advantage of the many advantages 3D technology offers, the Innovate UK pre-conference session will precede the two-day event.
Innovate UK’s ‘The Industrial Realities of Additive Manufacturing’ will take place on 11th July, with the main conference following on the 12th and 13th. The pre-conference session will feature a line of speakers with a wealth of experience in the additive manufacturing field. These include Sophie Jones from Added Scientific, Phil Reeves of Stratasys Expert Services, Frank Cooper from Birmingham City University and David Brackett from the Manufacturing Technology Centre.
The speakers will recount the challenges faced and lessons learned using additive manufacturing methods. Covering a range of issues such as quality assurance, facility development, training and funding, the expert voices will provide attendees with a degree of insight.
“Our conference has always been about delving into the realities of what AM technology can, and importantly cannot, do. The pre-conference traditionally sets the scene for the main event with a series of in-depth discussions relevant to the industry and this year is no different,” said Richard Hague, conference chair. “Collaborating with Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Network provides us with a brilliant opportunity to address the ‘dirty secrets’ of AM, clearing up misconceptions around the technology and giving us the opportunity to discuss the benefits AM can bring to industry and government with a wider audience. It will set the scene perfectly for this year’s conference.”
In the afternoon, there will be a session specifically dedicated to the UK’s National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing. This will detail the country’s plans with regards to additive manufacturing and how UK companies in a variety of industries can use AM to their benefit.
“We are committed to helping businesses get the most out of creativity, ideas and the latest discoveries, and addressing the realities and pitfalls of technologies is an important piece of this process,” said Louise Jones, Knowledge Transfer Manager Additive Manufacturing at the Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Network. “We were drawn to the conference’s honest approach to additive technologies as well as its wide range of expert speakers representing innovators in industry, academia and business. This event fits perfectly with our aims as an organisation – to embrace ideas and technologies to strengthen the UK economy and improve people’s lives.”
The ‘Industrial Realities of Manufacturing’ pre-conference and the two-day International Conference for Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing will both be held at the Nottingham Belfry Hotel. There will also be a host of organisations exhibiting at the events, demonstrating their technology, analysis, expertise and products. Registration for both events is now open.
