SME's Manufacturing Technology Summit Helps Engineers Diversify Their Manufacturing Knowledge

DEARBORN, Mich., June 30 -- The Society of Manufacturing Engineers' (SME) first annual Manufacturing Technology Summit, being held on August 10-11, 2004 at the University of Michigan Dearborn, Fairlane Center, Dearborn, Mich., will feature more than 65 industry presentations on seven key areas of advanced manufacturing technology. The mission of this conference is to help engineers diversify their manufacturing disciplines.

Developed by SME's Technical Communities and the University of Michigan- Dearborn (UM-D), this one-of-kind event is a collaboration of innovative technologies being used in the manufacturing industry today. The conference features seven concurrent tracks. As more engineers are forced to broaden their manufacturing knowledge and overall skill-set, the seven different areas of technology provide important tools for achieving this knowledge. These technical areas include:

  *  Rapid Technologies & Additive Manufacturing
  *  Product & Process Design and Management
  *  Engineering Materials Applications
  *  Machining and Material Removal
  *  Forming & Fabricating
  *  Automated Manufacturing & Assembly
  *  Manufacturing Education & Research

Several sessions will case-study the manufacturing enterprise to show how the various technologies were integrated in the production of the Ford F-150 from design to final product. Suppliers to the F-150 will showcase the applications and the technologies utilized in achieving the world-class 2004 Motor Trend Truck of the Year status. The conference features a special Ford Rouge Factory Tour, showcasing the Ford F-150 truck, on Wednesday, August 11 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m.

EVENT-AT-GLANCE:

Tuesday, August 10 - 8 a.m. - Keynote Address: "Building the All-New F- 150," will be presented by Frank Davis, vehicle program director, Pickup Trucks and Commercial Vehicles, Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Mich. Mr. Davis is responsible for the development and launch of the F-Series, Super Duty, Ranger and Econoline, F-650 products as well as the company's truck lineup.

Wednesday, August 11 - 8 a.m. - Plenary Address: "Winning in the Marketplace - General Motors' Quality Strategy for Vehicle Design and Manufacturing," will be presented by Joseph M. Mazzeo, executive director, Metal Fabrication Division Quality Systems, General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich. Mr. Mazzeo is responsible for the implementation and utilization of GM's manufacturing quality systems in their twenty-six vehicle assembly plants.

Tuesday, August 10 - 5 p.m.-7 p.m. - Networking Reception includes technical exhibits and a poster session. The poster session will present student and faculty research projects developed through the Center for Engineering Education and Practice at the U of M Dearborn.

To register for the Manufacturing Technology Summit or join the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, call the SME Resource Center at 800-733-4763, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. EST or visit http://www.sme.org/techsummit .

Sponsors of the Manufacturing Technology Summit include Automotive Industries, Dana, Mott Community College, TRW and WJR-950 AM Radio.

The SME Technical Communities help manufacturing professionals gain in- depth exposure to other professional and technical resources in specific manufacturing disciplines. Each of the seven communities, in turn, offers even more specific exposure to segments within its technology through working committees or tech groups. Major benefits include: tech group meetings, online discussions, e-newsletters, community-level town hall meetings and blue books. Visit http://www.sme.org/communities .

About SME:

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers is the world's leading professional society supporting manufacturing education. Through its member programs, publications, expositions and professional development resources, SME promotes an increased awareness of manufacturing engineering and helps keep manufacturing professionals up to date on leading trends and technologies. Headquartered in Michigan, SME influences more than half a million manufacturing engineers and executives annually. The Society has members in 70 countries and is supported by a network of hundreds of chapters worldwide.