Northern Manufacturing & Electronics building on past successes

Not surprisingly given the scale of manufacturing industry across the region, in just three years Northern Manufacturing & Electronics has become a firm favourite with the region's engineering community. As the key event in the North for engineering production, the show attracts many of the world's largest machinery makers running live demonstrations of technologies from five-axis machining to press brakes, laser cutting and 3D printing. Firms returning for 2016 include Amada, Bystronic, Olympus, Nikon Metrology, Haas Automation, Laser Lines, Unison, Yamazaki Mazak and Trumpf. They are joined by a supporting cast of hundreds of other vendors covering pretty much every related activity, from design to workholding and tooling.

The countless component vendors present creates one of the greatest reasons for machine builders to attend. Almost 50 per cent of visitors to the event in 2015 had components on their shopping list, and those visiting with comparable intentions this year will not be disappointed. Firms like igus and Kabelschlepp Metool, Variohm Eurosensor, Oerlikon Leybold, AMES and Zikodrive Motor Controllers are going to be of particular note, but these are just a small sample of a mountain of component providers present. Along with bringing in key global suppliers, the show's regional focus and easy access from all over the North, the Midlands, Scotland and Northern Ireland, makes it possible for it to accurately reflect the requirements of the regional industry it serves. Nonetheless, thanks to its eclectic mix of machinery and production equipment, components, electronics and sub-contract services, Northern Manufacturing has proven hugely popular with visitors from the entire spectrum of manufacturing enterprise.

Services

Sub-contract services provides yet another important dimension to the show. Technology trails guide visitors around the event, enabling them to make the most efficient use of their time. Subcontractors exhibiting include electronic assembly, contract manufacturing, precision engineering, wiring harnesses and specialist coatings to name but a few. Of particular note are companies participating in the show's RoadRailAir feature, highlighting those firms with particular expertise in these areas. The North West is home to over 25 per cent of the UK's aerospace manufacturing sector, which is the second largest in the world.

On the production side, there is storage and handling equipment from SSI Schaefer, barcode and stock management systems from Dakota Integrated Solutions, industrial lighting from Waldmann Lighting, inspection systems from OGP UK and Olympus, and hundreds of others. In addition to hardware, topics like asset finance and training are addressed. Exhibiting once again this year, the Salford and Trafford Engineering Group Training Association (STEGTA) was set up in 1966 and has, since then, organised thousands of apprenticeship scheme places and is recognised by Ofsted as one of the top education providers in the country. A full categorised listing of all exhibitors can be found at www.industrynorth.co.uk.

Free seminars

But as well as being an important marketplace for industrial enterprise, Northern Manufacturing & Electronics also represents one of the North's most important business forums. The show's free seminar programme, which runs over both days of the event, provides an opportunity to join industry professionals from a wide variety of academic and commercial backgrounds while they share their insights into the important topics affecting manufacturing.

Alistair Williamson returns with his popular session looking at the innovation process, from identifying an opening, feasibility studies, brand strategy and market research, through to successful prototyping and design to guarantee trouble-free manufacturing. Wayne Kite of Stanford Marsh gives an overview of the emergent technology of 3D printing and offers some case studies showing how it can be employed in almost endless applications in manufacture.

Ailsa Kaye of Onsite Insights takes a comprehensive look at best practice in manufacturing, illustrating lessons in innovation, design, cost-effectiveness and delivery from world-class businesses and demonstrating how they may be used in virtually any enterprise to further improve competitive edge.

By way of a series of case studies, Tim Scurlock of Automotive Lean Consulting will take a pragmatic assessment of how Lean concepts can be productively introduced to enhance manufacturing productivity, and some of the issues to steer clear of. Paul Bell continues the Lean theme with his look at some proven ideas for maximising the benefit of Lean initiatives. Mike Foster of the CE Marking Association takes a topical review of the future updates in CE marking on the horizon and the consequences for manufacturers.

Of specific interest to machine builders, Andrew Scarrott of Phoenix Mecano offers a detailed look at hazardous area enclosures, IP ratings, approvals and certifications. Matthius Bunte looks at the challenges presented by the mechanical integration of the new generation of touchscreens plus some effective solutions. Lee Stratford looks at how the application of inductive heating in brazing operations has delivered extensive benefits in the aerospace, automotive and wire industries.

Closing the programme for 2016, Mark Wingfield examines how companies can gain the greatest advantage from R&D Tax Credits, revealing exactly what can be claimed and the steps some firms have applied to obtain as much as ten times the value of the grant.

Entry to Northern Manufacturing & Electronics 2016 is completely free to business visitors, and Event City offers 3000 free on-site car parking spaces, with easy access by road, rail or air. To register online for tickets, or to find out about exhibiting at this event, simply visit www.industrynorth.co.uk. Follow all the latest news from the show at linkedin.industrynorth.co.uk or blog.industrynorth.co.uk.