Composites Engineering has become a firmly established feature of the Advanced Engineering show.
This year, the two-day event is being held on November 2nd and 3rd at the NEC in Birmingham in Halls 2, 3 and 3a of the exhibition centre. The Advanced Engineering Show also incorporates Aero Engineering, Automotive Engineering and Performance Metals under the same umbrella.
The 2016 edition is being managed by Easyfairs, a global event organiser which acquired the show from its founder Ian Stone and UK Tech Events last year. Easyfairs intends to build on the successful formula that the show has benefited from so far, according to Event director Katie Crocombe.
“It is a unique trade event mainly because it is open to everybody throughout the supply chain, whether you are a start-up, SME or well-established company within the engineering sector,” she begins. “That’s also one of the main reasons there’s a real sense of innovation. One of the main features we have continued is the very strong relationships we have with the membership bodies and organisations from the various industries involved in the show. They have really contributed to how it has evolved on the show-floor.”
Industry input
This industry involvement from groups such as the, Composites UK, ADS, EEF, NetComposites, UKTI, Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) and Catapult High Value Manufacturing has helped to build a sense of community among all the participating bodies, according to the organisers.
“There is a real buy-in into the concept from everyone, whether they are associations, academic institutions or exhibiting companies,” Crocombe continues. “The show also gives exhibitors the opportunity to see other companies from parallel sectors that they wouldn’t normally get to see at a sector specific trade event. That crossover factor has huge benefits.”
The Composites Engineering zone will feature some of the latest advances in the industry.
Jeremy Whittingham, head of marketing for Advanced Engineering comments: “Composites Engineering is still the UK’s largest composite, materials design and processing event. This year it is going to be bigger than ever. We have a lot of show exhibitors in that section who have increased the size of their stands over the years. I think that the composite industry recognises how the show enables them to look at other sectors. There is a huge overlap in technology between automotive – particularly motorsport – and the aerospace sectors. We have many Formula 1 people attending the show and of course top people from the OEMs and Tier 1 companies.
“An example of how the show is regarded is reflected in the fact that Composites UK holds its annual awards during the event. Composites UK does feel that it is the industry’s general get together and they continue to ask us how we can work together more closely. They have always been really positive about the show.”
Crocombe adds: “In the composites open conference programme composites use in sport and in construction are two key topics that NetComposites and Composites UK will be discussing. This shows how these materials are making their way into other sectors.”
Some of the other conference topics in the Composite Engineering presentation zone include: CFRP for volume automotive applications from Jaguar Land Rover; adhesive bonding innovations presented by 3M; design and microwave processing of composites from Simutool TWI; and a presentation on biocomposites from NetComposites to name just a few.
Composite materials are also playing an increasing role in the rail industry. An expanded feature from last year’s show is the Rail Alliance stand at Advanced Engineering.
Whittingham states: “The rail sector is an area that we need to address because of projects like HS2 and Crossrail. The Alliance is looking for new members and will have a number of presentations. There is a big opportunity of rail applications particularly for composite materials both in rolling stock and infrastructure.”
Encouraging innovation
A key feature of Advanced Engineering is developing and promoting new technology in all the sectors associated with the show; whether it is through the show’s open conference programme, which offers attendees the latest insights into industry from expert speakers, or exhibitor zones which feature the latest products and prototypes from many areas of engineering.
A typical example of the focus on new technology is the Enabling Innovation hub. Sponsored by global automotive supplier Magna and supported by the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), the hub will showcase some of the most innovative technology from start-ups and SMEs.
This year a new development will be a competition for a group of selected innovators who will be featured at Enabling Innovation. The shortlisted entries will exhibit with support from Magna. The most innovative technology from whatever engineering background will also win a £5,000 prize courtesy of Magna.
Innovators and technology specialists can also exhibit in the zone themselves or set up meetings with representatives from Magna’s R&D team for funding and technical support opportunities.
Whittingham explains: “With Enabling Innovation we are better placed than most trade shows to help companies capitalise on the innovations between R&D and the industry.”
This year Advanced Engineering is partnering a number of other events related to the modern manufacturing also at the NEC in November.
The Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) will be holding two, one day seminars during Advanced Engineering. On November 2nd the seminar programme will be dedicated to Aviation Aerodynamics with speakers from companies such as Airbus, who will be speaking about Clean Sky 2 and natural laminar flow flight testing and Rolls-Royce, discussing its UltraFan engine and Boundary Layer Ingestion (BLI) propulsion on large aircraft. There will also be talks from Reaction Engines, QinetiQ and the European Space Agency.
On November 3rd the Seminar will be dedicated to brakes and enhancing their performance with speakers from companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, Honda, McLaren Automotive and Bentley.
Advanced Engineering will also be held in partnership the Smart Factory Expo at the NEC. The Expo will focus on the latest interconnectivity advances in manufacturing and the development of Industry 4.0.
Crocombe says: “This is a very hot topic at the moment. The conference is aimed at the executive level, and focuses on the impact the Smart Factory is going to have on manufacturing in the future.”
Zone to zone
The event’s format allows attendees and exhibitors to encounter all the latest advances in manufacturing and engineering.
Whittingham says: “As well as covering traditional areas of manufacturing we also have several presentations regarding additive technology during the event.”
And the show seems to be going from strength to strength if returning booking numbers are anything to go by.
“The strongest indication of a show’s success is shown by how many exhibitors come back year on year,” says Crocombe. “If you look at bookings for 2016 we have had the highest return of exhibiting companies that we have ever had.
“We also try to facilitate networking around the show. To help this we have the pre-show portal that exhibitors and attendees can access, to book a meeting. It is a great way for people to make the best use of their time. We also have a mobile phone app that allows visitors and exhibitors to access data and be proactive with that information.”
So according to Easyfairs, Advanced Engineering is set to continue its success based on the foundations laid down by its originators.
“We wanted to make improvements but still keep the essence of the show that has made it a success,” says Crocombe. “Advanced Engineering is marketed on a manufacturing zone basis but also a co-ordinated overall event which we believe is more than the sum of its parts.
She concludes: “It has had fantastic growth and enthusiastic support from the industry. Hopefully as a bigger organisation we can provide more support so the behind the scenes elements will make it an easier experience for exhibitors and visitors.”
