AIAG's Auto ID Event Explores Automatic Identification Technologies

NASA's Fred Schramm, Pioneer in Parts Marking, to be Keynote Speaker

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., May 4 -- Fred Schramm, a pioneer in the development of parts-marking technology with NASA's George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, will be the keynote speaker at Auto ID Showcase.

Hosted by the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), Auto ID Showcase takes place on Thursday, May 20, at the Holiday Inn - Livonia West in Livonia, Mich., and will feature educational sessions and exhibits related to technologies in automatic identification.

Started as a grassroots effort to inform the auto industry on labeling standards nine years ago, the conference now covers a full-range of automatic- identification technologies. More than 50 exhibitors are expected at the program.

Schramm will discuss the need for traceability and parallels between the aerospace and automotive industries. The event's agenda also includes 2-D direct parts marking, radio frequency identification (RFID) and the open real- time locating system (RTLS) standard, as well as emerging technologies to help meet federal mandates and aid in error-proofing.

"Auto ID Showcase is the only event designed specifically for the automotive industry that focuses on automatic identification technologies," said Andrew J. Cummins, executive director for AIAG. "With recent mandates such as the TREAD Act and the End-of-Life Vehicle Directive (ELV) requiring companies to gather and report considerable data, automatic-identification technologies have become critical. Auto ID Showcase is a continuation of our efforts to educate the industry on meeting these requirements."

Schramm has won national recognition for adapting a parts-identification marking system to NASA's standards and introducing the technology into the private sector. He was the principal investigator on a study with the Marshall Center in 1987 to determine if 2-D marking on parts could efficiently track the millions of parts used in the nation's space-shuttle program. The Marshall Center has since been a leader in direct parts marking and has worked with industry partners to enhance the technology.

Various companies, including auto manufacturers and suppliers involved in automatic identification technologies, will exhibit at Auto ID Showcase. A list of exhibitors can be viewed at AIAG's Web site at www.aiag.org . Event sponsors include Bar Code Solutions, Inc., Cognex Corp. and PRINTRONIX.

Registration fees for the event are $50 for AIAG members and $100 for non- members. To register, call AIAG customer service at (248) 358-3003 or visit www.aiag.org .

Founded in 1982, AIAG is headquartered in Southfield, Mich. Its more than 1,600 member companies include North American, European and Asia-Pacific OEMs and suppliers, as well as technology-solution providers, to the automotive industry with combined annual sales of more than $850 billion. A not-for- profit association, AIAG's primary goals are to reduce cost and complexity within the automotive supply chain and to improve speed-to-market, product quality, employee health-and-safety and the environment.