Center for High Performance Manufacturing holds fall meeting

Virginia Tech’s Center for High Performance Manufacturing will host its fall meeting on Nov. 16 and 17 at the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center.

Martin Prakken, CEO of Blueprint Automation, will give the keynote presentation at 1:45 p.m. Nov. 16. Additional afternoon sessions will be held on flexible automation; lean manufacturing and material handling; manufacturing logistics/supply chain design; production and information systems; and rapid manufacturing and low-cost composite manufacturing.

On Nov. 17, the meeting will have a session on Virginia’s Small Manufacturers Assistance Program (VSMAP), the Business Technology Center, and Virginia’s Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership. VSMAP is designed to provide assistance for small manufacturers who are located in distressed areas by providing substantial financial support for a variety of improvement projects they may wish to undertake. The session will include representatives from companies who are currently working on projects funded by this program. Attendees will learn how to apply and what support may be available. More information about VSMAP may be found at http://www.vsmap.org.

The meeting will feature speakers who represent the broadest view of manufacturing across the commonwealth. In addition Center for High Performance Manufacturing will provide progress reports and answer questions about its current research projects.

The meeting will provide excellent opportunities for interaction with center staff and others in the manufacturing community. This unique opportunity draws manufacturing professionals from across the nation to discuss new research in the manufacturing industry.

Manufacturers today are faced with relentless pressure to cut costs, improve operations, and offer new products and services in response to ever-changing customer demands and preferences. To remain competitive, firms must continually develop and implement new processes, methods, and technologies. Center for High Performance Manufacturing was developed to help manufacturers (small and large) become high performance manufacturers. The center performs work in a wide variety of areas, ranging from manufacturing logistics and flexible automation to rapid prototyping and production and information systems.

For complete on the two day meeting, see http://www.conted.vt.edu/chpmmeet/schedule.html.

Center for High Performance Manufacturing hopes to draw manufacturing professionals from around the country to discuss new research in the industry. There is no fee to attend but registration is required. Registration provides entrance into the meeting, refreshment breaks, and Wednesday night's reception. For more information on the center, please visit http://www.chpm.ise.vt.edu.