Spotlight on design & innovation at SM&E Week 2024

With a comprehensive schedule that includes two summits and a symposium, the event promises a deep dive into cutting-edge topics from design and innovation to digital transformation and sustainability.

The Industrial Data & AI Summit, now in its seventh year, is scheduled for June 5th. It will concentrate on topics such as Data Management and Data Insights, featuring keynote presentations from industry leaders, a panel discussion, and interactive roundtable sessions. This summit provides a platform for senior leaders to exchange knowledge and explore advancements in data integration, management, and the drive towards a data-driven business landscape.

Simultaneously, the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit, which spans both days of the event, focuses on the transformative effects of digitalisation on product design, production, and maintenance. The summit is split into two streams: the Enterprise stream for larger corporations and the Growth stream tailored for SMEs. Attendees can expect eight keynote addresses, two panel discussions, and hands-on roundtable discussions, offering insights into optimising operations and enhancing the digital footprint of manufacturing processes.

In addition to the summits, SM&E Week also hosts the Automation & Robotics Accelerator Symposium, which is intended for manufacturing executives interested in leveraging automation and robotics within their organisations. The half-day event, organised by The Manufacturer, takes place on 6th June, and is designed for those at any stage of automation integration, offering insights into best practices, technology deep dives, and the impact of automation on the workforce.

One of the main attractions of the SM&E Week is the variety of keynote presentations hosted at the Design & Innovation Theatre. This year, notable speakers include Sam Tilley of Omron and Carl Diver from Manchester Metropolitan University, who will explore ‘How does the Skills Gap Affect the Future Technology Sector?’ in a presentation addressing crucial workforce challenges facing the industry.

On the following day, Roy Haworth from Airbus Defence & Space will take the stage to present ‘Using CAD data to drive data fusion and 3D visualisation’, highlighting the significant technological trends that are shaping the aerospace sector and beyond. In addition, Geoff Mackey of Plastics Europe will present on the second day. His talk, ‘Product design today, an essential for circularity’, will cover how thoughtful design choices and material selection can lead to more sustainable products, effectively reducing waste and enhancing business outcomes.

Visitors to SM&E Week will also have access to additional free educational content across eight different theatres. Whether interested in data management, digital transformation, or maintenance strategies, the event offers a wealth of knowledge through its 144 presentations, covering diverse aspects of manufacturing and engineering.

With so much going on during Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week attendees can tailor their experience to their own areas of interest. To build a personal ‘visitor trail’, attendees need to register in advance at: https://www.mandeweek.co.uk/