PECM Issue 29 2017 | Page 35

One of the hubs which is being expanded this year is Enabling Innovation hosted by Magna International, a leading global automotive supplier. This is a dedicated area for up to 50 carefully selected SMEs and micro businesses which are at the early stages of their development, perhaps prototyping. And new to the show this year is the Connected Manufacturing zone, which will catalyse the business and technology opportunities that exist between innovators, customers and suppliers - including those within big data, automation and more. This marks a significant step in the revolution of Industry 4.0. The keynote speakers for Advanced Engineering 2017 open-conference have been announced and will include representatives from major OEMs and niche SMEs. Topics will include how specific engineering problems have been overcome, as well as more strategic issues such as the fourth industrial revolution, Brexit, additive manufacturing and advances in aluminium engineering. Here’s a few of the issues that will be covered: t Nissan - Meeting the needs of high volume production; t Formaplex - Thermoplastic composites for automotive applications; t EEF - Leading factories of the future. How the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is shaping a new leadership and skills dimension; and t GKN and Meggitt Modular Modifiable Manufacturing (M4) - Various aspects of manufacturing within aerospace engineering. The Show is in its ninth year and has established itself as the leading event in the advanced engineering calendar. For more information on Advanced Engineering, or to secure your free ticket for the show, visit: www.advancedengineeringuk.com. Find regular updates on Twitter via #AEUK17. Issue 29 PECM 35