SME Brings Micro- and Nano- Manufacturing to Minneapolis

Manufacturing Engineering, Mar 2005

In the interest of ensuring that manufacturers and their companies stay ahead of the competition in implementing emerging manufacturing technologies, SME is including two exciting programs at its Twin Cities Conference, May 3-5 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, MN.

"Molecular Nanotechnology and Manufacturing: The Enabling Tools and Applications," will feature comprehensive presentations on nanotechnology-the new, radically precise, less expensive, and more flexible way of making products better and faster. SME's MicroManufacturing Conference and Exhibits will help manufacturers understand available technologies, how to better use them, and the many ways they are being applied.

MicroManufacturing Conference

This program addresses the challenges-and opportunities-of micromachining and micromolding.

Challenged with creating micro features on micro or macro parts? This is your chance to explore the many processes available to help you increase accuracy while reducing cycle time. SME is bringing dozens of industry professionals together to discuss technological advancements as well as practical ways to apply current technologies.

Topics will include:

* Microdrilling, micromilling, microturning

* Cutting processes: Swiss machining, high-speed machining, laser machining, and EDM

* Cutting tools: availability, consistency, quality, and tool life

* Comparison of big vs. small machines

* Microinjection molding and micro two-shot molding

* Achieving better finishes

* How small can you go?

* Inspecting small parts that have even smaller internal features

* Materials-which ones to use, how to work with them, and molding methods for parts that will be micromachined

* Where is the technology today? Where will it be tomorrow?

Learn more and register at www.sme.org/micro

Nanotechnology Conference

Neither science fiction nor a distant reality, nanotechnology is already making an enormous impact on manufacturing. SME's Emerging Technology Forum, "Molecular Nanotechnology and Manufacturing" takes place May 4.

The forum will highlight the successful use of nanotechnology in manufacturing, applications, and researchers' and developers' progress in creating the tools and instruments that manufacturers need to effectively position molecules and build complex structures with atomically precise control. These instruments, sometimes called "pick-and-shovel" tools by nanomanufacturers, include scanning probe microscopes and dip-pen lithography.

Manufacturing professionals will explore the capacity of these instruments, metrology devices, and other tools to measure, sense, fabricate, and manipulate matter at the molecular level. These tools help manufacturers in a number of industries create more powerful computers, lighter and stronger manufacturing materials, surgical instruments, and drug delivery systems that help patients better fight disease.

In addition to offering the latest nanotechnology applications and trends in both top-down fabrication and bottom-up assembly techniques, the event offers opportunities for peer networking, information sharing, and technology exchange with the leading developers of nanotools and manufacturing systems.

Speakers will represent a cross section of industries including automotive, aerospace/defense, medical/ healthcare, and pharmaceuticals and include speakers from the Foresight Institute, IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center, National Center of Manufacturing Science, National Institute of Health, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Science Foundation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Veeco Instruments Inc., and the Zyvex Corporation.

Visit www.sme.org/nanotools to register today!

Visit www.sme.org/twincities for more details about Twin Cities 2005, onsite SME conferences, and the innovative "Tomorrow's Manufacturing Technology" pavilion.