Visitors can tap into knowledge and expertise (source: Official Press Release)

Visitors can tap into knowledge and expertise.

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The new Composites Engineering Show will be held at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, on the 29th and 30th September 2010. Conceived and developed with the specific aim of bring together participants from the UK’s rapidly developing and expanding composites design and production engineering community, the show will feature product and process applications from a wide spectrum of industry sectors, including aerospace, motorsport, transportation, marine, medical, construction, oil & gas, telecoms and consumer products.

“The continuing thirst for information and partnerships for UK companies wishing to work with composites, and from those already part of the composites value chain, spurred us to launch this dedicated showcase for the composites community, mirroring the importance – and growing use – of these advanced materials across all industry sectors, from the obviously synergetic aerospace to motorsport, renewable energy, medical, industrial equipment, automotive and more,” explains event director, Ian Stone.

Exhibits and technical presentations at the Composites Engineering Show will cover every type of composite, including fibre reinforced polymers, sandwich and cored structures, fibre metal laminates, metal matrix, ceramic matrix and carbon composites. The event showcases materials manufacturers and suppliers; design, analysis and simulation technologies; process providers and production technologies, including machining and tooling; suppliers of composite parts, components and structures; and composites maintenance engineering.

Composites Engineering is organised by Leading Edge Events & Media, and is co-located with the Aero Engineering 2010 Exhibition within an integrated show space that promotes knowledge transfer. Pointing out who should attend this new event, Ian Stone says: “As the target audience is the complete end-to-end design, manufacturing and operational engineering value chain, virtually everyone involved with any engineering project should make time to visit. If you are already involved with composites, then the show will be the ideal place to ensure that you are aware of the latest material and process developments. If you are looking to get involved with this rapidly growing technology, then a visit to the show will provide you with a wealth of information.”

This UK-centric show will provide a ‘grass roots’ opportunity for visitors looking to introduce composite materials into their product range. Visitors can discuss with materials and manufacturing partners how this can be achieved, and also establish a clear picture of the size and support mechanisms that already exist in the UK to help with new composite product introductions. “The size of the show is not intimidating or prohibitive, with 70 to 80 exhibiting suppliers and a comprehensive programme of supporting technology presentations. A two-hour briefing session on the industry will be hosted by one of the show’s headline sponsors, CompositesUK, the leading stakeholder body in the UK for the composite industry, with around 100 members,” says Ian Stone.

As one of the leading global information portals, NetComposites is the show’s headline media partner and provides a great reach across the industry. NetComposites will host a number of free-to-attend micro technology sessions, on pertinent subjects such as biological and sustainable materials in composites and automation systems, which will run on the show floor.

Dr Neil Calder is responsible for organising the seminars at the show. He says: “The industry sector engaged in the design and manufacture of composite parts and whole products has experienced healthy growth figures for some years and this trend shows no sign of abating. The UK government has recently provided additional impetus through initiatives such as the establishment of a National Composites Centre and the funding of a Grand Challenge for industrially focused collaborative research and development, as a consequence of the £22 million composites strategy announced by Lord Mandelson in November 2009. So, there has never been a better time to develop your position in this expanding value chain.

“For the Composites Engineering 2010 show we have teamed up with CompositesUK to offer a business briefing session, which will include key UK personalities explaining the current facts and figures and the national landscape for the composites value chain.”

 

The NEC is the UK’s premier exhibition venue and is conveniently located for the majority of engineering companies. Composites Engineering will feature a plethora of companies at different stages of the value chain that can help with the various composites projects. Visitors can get an exceptional amount of knowledge packaged in an easily digestible and time-efficient way, so they can make informed decisions about the use of composites in their design and manufacturing process. Ian Stone concludes: “The response to the co-location for the shows in both value chains has been outstanding, and we are expecting a high take-up from visitor groups for both shows nationwide.”