SME'S Westec 2003 Provides Comprehensive Line Up of Manufacturing Resources

DEARBORN, Michigan - November 14, 2002 - Offering a comprehensive collection of machine tools, metalworking equipment, assembly and automation technologies, software products, and job shop services, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers' (SME) WESTEC 2003 Advanced Productivity Exposition (APEX) is where West Coast manufacturers can find what they need. Visitors will have the opportunity to see and compare hundreds of new products, equipment and services that can help keep their companies globally competitive by allowing them to improve efficiency, increase productivity, lower costs and reduce time-to-market.

North America's largest annual metalworking and manufacturing event returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, March 24-27, 2003.

More than 600 exhibiting companies will display and demonstrate international product lines representing 150 technology categories including: machine tools and accessories; cutting tools and inserts; milling; grinding and deburring; drilling and tapping; EDM; CAD/CAM; machine controls; flexible manufacturing systems; waterjet cutting; finishing; laser systems and more.

Special interest pavilions remain a key part of WESTEC. New for 2003, the Assembly and Automation Pavilion and Software Pavilion join the annual Job Shop Pavilion. The Assembly and Automation Pavilion will showcase manual and automated processes for assembly. The Software Pavilion will feature design and manufacturing applications including: CAE; CAD; CAM; design & evaluation; solids modeling; manufacturing resource planning; and web-based engineering products. The Job Shop Pavilion will provide contract manufacturing services for design and manufacturing of parts, components and sub-assemblies made of metal, plastic and rubber.

"In addition to the variety of manufacturing products offered on the show floor, each year at WESTEC, we highlight key technologies through specialized pavilions," said Gary Mikola, director of expositions for SME. "Helping to keep West Coast manufacturing strong is what WESTEC is all about. With new pavilions and events like SME's new conference with Northrop Grumman, WESTEC 2003 is a must-see event for manufacturing companies looking to improve operations."

WESTEC 2003 show hours are: Monday, March 24, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Tuesday, March 25, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Wednesday, March 26, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; and Thursday, March 27, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (hours are staggered by hall).

To help visitors get to the show more easily, free parking and shuttle service will be offered on March 25 and 26. Buses will depart from locations in Anaheim, Carlsbad (San Diego), and Woodland Hills. Train riders will also be able to catch a shuttle from Union Station. Other buses will service area hotels for all show days.

SME Teams Up with Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems for a New Conference

SME has joined forces with Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems to present the WESTEC 2003 conference. Titled Manufacturing Technology: Accelerating the Factory of the Future, this conference is a first ever world-class program developed by SME members in cooperation with Northrop Grumman. Conference sessions will be organized into eight technical tracks: composites; quality; mechanization & automation; laser technology; information technology; machining; lean enterprise; and emerging technology. Topics that will be covered in these tracks include: automated tooling design; tooling development; assembly; aerospace, automotive & shipbuilding; weapon systems & defense; high speed machining; small shop issues; composites oil field technology; e-factory; shop floor control; inspection; ISO; six sigma; lean assembly; advanced materials; nanotechnologies; rapid prototyping; and others.

WESTEC Student Program Has New Event

For future manufacturing professionals, WESTEC now has three events - the WESTEC Manufacturing Challenge, the WESTEC Student Summit, and the new VIP Student Tour.

On Monday, March 24, the new VIP Student Tour will give 100 select high school students special opportunities to experience WESTEC. Students will view the Manufacturing Challenge entries and interact with the teams and their professors from participating colleges, universities and technical schools. Students will also tour the WESTEC show floor to see various exhibitors. And, as part of the day's program, the group will be introduced to the new high school manufacturing competition that will debut at WESTEC 2004.

Running from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, March 24, the annual WESTEC Manufacturing Challenge is an open-ended, creative engineering contest that will feature manufacturing projects brainstormed, designed and built by college students. Following the competition viewing, there will be a public awards ceremony from 6 - 7 p.m.

On Thursday, March 27, SME will host the WESTEC 2003 Student Summit in cooperation with the Small Manufacturers Institute and the Coalition for Manufacturing Careers. The student summit is aimed to improve the image of modern manufacturing as a career field in the eyes of Southern California high school students, their parents and school counselors. Activities include: a tour of the WESTEC exposition with exhibitor presentations; demonstrations, displays and interactions with industry and education representatives; and discussions to explore manufacturing technology, education opportunities, and career information. Nearly 800 high school students, along with accompanying instructors, counselors and representatives from higher education will participate.

For more WESTEC 2003 information, visit the event Web site at www.sme.org/westec.

WESTEC 2003 is co-sponsored by SME, the American Machine Tool Distributors Association (AMTDA), and AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

The American Machine Tool Distributors' Association, founded in 1925, represents nearly 500 companies dedicated to strengthening the machine tool distributor's position as a vital link between the builder and end-user of machine tools and related products. Visit www.amtda.org  for further information on the association's programs, informative industry articles, and listing of Certified Machine Tool Sales Engineers. The web site also features a machine tool database where customers can research products and contact local distributors through a "Request for Quotation". AMTDA is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland.

AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology is the manufacturing technology industry leader in economic planning, domestic and international marketing, government liaison, trade show sponsorship, export assistance, standards development, and other key areas. With headquarters in McLean, Virginia, AMT plays an active role in major overseas expositions and works as a spokesman on trade matters to governments and foreign associations. Founded in 1902, the association (with 360 member companies) produces the biennial International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) held in Chicago. 

www.amtonline.org  

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. 

www.sme.org

 

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