Manufacturing & Engineering Week ready for lift off

Manufacturing Expo, Design Engineering Expo, Engineering Expo and Maintec. The four exhibitions are designed to showcase the most exciting solutions across the entire breadth of manufacturing and engineering, from design and development to processes, assembly, control and automation, robotics, maintenance and asset management, cyber security, testing and measurement, components, skills development and more.

Each show will feature a wide range of exhibitors from across the country, with companies ranging from industry leaders like ABB, Fluke and Farnell, to a host of innovative SMEs. These include innovators such as Fixturlaser, supplying precision laser alignment and plant reliability solutions; and Senseye, which uses AI driven software to reduce machine downtime.

As well as the chance to see new, innovative technologies and techniques, Manufacturing & Engineering Week is a great opportunity to learn more about the challenges and opportunities in store for UK industry. Each of the four events has its own programme of CPD accredited high-level keynote presentations, panel discussions and case studies covering a range of sectors including aerospace, automotive, food and beverage, motorsport, energy & renewables, pharmaceutical, space and FMCG, with a particular focus on SMEs’ and OEMs’ strategies. Topics will include the future of the sector, embracing the need for digital transformation, incorporating AI, Net Zero - the road to green, and much more.

One of the major challenges across industry is the need to improve cyber security. Visitors can gain vital insights in the Cyber Zone, which features the award winning Immersive Cyber Demonstrator. This brings home the dangers of cybercrime by recreating the unique settings of a hacker’s bedroom and a manufacturing plant boardroom. Using high-tech staging and film techniques, actors will play out the cyber hacking scenario in real-time, clearly demonstrating the challenges faced by the leadership team as they work to contain and overcome the threat. The 20 minute performances run regularly throughout the show.

Alongside the demonstrator will also be a dedicated Cyber Pavilion featuring Assured Cyber Protection, a global technology partner empowering organisations to protect their most valuable assets, people, and data.

Continuing the event’s theme of innovation, there will be a dedicated Innovation Zone featuring an AI enabled car and a vertical take-off biplane. The Innovation Zone will also feature two world’s firsts. The New Holland T6 Methane Power is the world’s first 100% methane powered production tractor and is set to play a key role in reducing CO2 without compromising performance.

Also on show at the Innovation Zone will be the world’s first bike made from recycled plastics. Motion plastics specialist igus has designed a robust, durable urban bike made entirely of plastic, from the frame to its bearings and the toothed belt. A special feature of the new bike is that the recycled version will be primarily made of reused "single use" plastics.

There will also be an innovation challenge in the form of the Great Egg Race. An exciting live challenge taking place over both days of Manufacturing Expo 2022 and inspired by the TV show of the same name, people will compete to build gadgets to propel an uncooked egg over a wall into a tractor trailer. A compere will host the challenge with winners presented with prizes onsite.

As well as attracting numerous manufacturers, Manufacturing & Engineering Week is also supported by many other leading organisations, including: the Women’s Engineering Society – an organisation that promotes women’s education in engineering; the Institute of Export and International Trade – the professional body for importers and exporters; Napier - a B2B technology PR and marketing agency; the Institution of Mechanical Engineers; the Manufacturing Technology Centre – set up to bridge the gap between academia and industry; the Advanced Propulsion Centre – facilitates funding for low-carbon emission powertrains; High Value Manufacturing Catapult – helps new concepts become commercial; Innovate UK – a public body that promotes innovation; Made Smarter UK – helps grow manufacturing through digital technologies; and the UK government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.