Supported by Williams Advanced Engineering, the Motorsport Industry Association, Composites UK and the Women in Engineering Society, this two-day conference will provide an action-packed programme, spotlighting the current and future use of composite materials in motorsport.
The motorsport industry has continuously been a primary adopter of innovative technology, motivated by the desire to decrease weight. Formula 1 has utilised lighter and stiffer materials for decades; in 1981 McLaren transformed the building of racing cars with the manufacture of F1's first carbon fibre monocoque.
The pioneering work continues; the motorsport industry is still committed to developing new composite solutions. This event will take participants on a journey from initial design, manufacture, testing and through to the future of composites in the world of motorsport.
Including a number of networking opportunities with 21 exhibiting companies displaying their latest innovations, the event will open with a keynote presentation on the historical perspective on the use of composites in motorsport from recently retired chief composites design Engineer at Williams Advanced Engineering - Brian O’Rourke, who was with Williams Advanced Engineering for over 30 years and has worked with composite materials since the mid-1970s.
Day one will include sessions from design and methods to digital and additive manufacturing. Presentations throughout the day will explore lightweight materials and how they play a role in the motorsport industry, including design, manufacturing, techniques and processes from representatives including Gordon Murray Design, Bellandi Engineering, University of Liverpool Motorsport, Lentus Composites, Cranfield University, Airborne, Composites Evolution, KW Special Projects and Oxford Brookes Racing.
A drinks reception, sponsored by Base Materials and open to all participants at the end of day one will include a tour of Sir Frank Williams private F1 collection. Housing many of the Williams F1 team's seminal race cars, the Williams Grand Prix Collection is the largest private collection of Formula One cars in the world, charting the team's 34 years of motor racing history.
Day two of the event will be opened with a keynote presentation from Professor Willem Toet of Sauber Aerodynamics. Having worked in the field of aerodynamics for over 30 years and bringing hundreds of people into motorsport employment, Willem will be discussing how the industry best takes advantage of light, strong, stiff structures.
Further presentations on day two of Composites in Motorsport will include expert representatives from Cevotec, Altair, GRM Consulting, Mahindra Formula E Racing, BComp, CRP Technology and Ycom. These insightful presentations will come under a number of sessions including topics such as design, automation and processes to optimising manufacturing techniques, with a closing presentation from Motorsport Industry Association CEO, Chris Aylett on what the future holds for the industry.
Event organiser NetComposites’ communications manager, Siobhan Longhurst, comments: “The response we have had for this event is phenomenal. In addition to a varied line-up of industry experts, we are proud to provide a platform for this industry to come together, showcase some fantastic technologies and discuss what lies ahead for the world of motorsport.”
Visit the website to view the programme, exhibitors, speakers and to register. Use discount code CIM10 to receive a 10% discount on the registration rate.
