FEATURE

ASSEMBLY Show Celebrates 10 Years of Learning and Connecting

The ASSEMBLY Show gives industry professionals an opportunity to see the most up-to-date technologies in assembly manufacturing.

The 10^th annual ASSEMBLY Show is set to take place October 25-27, 2022, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. The event will again bring together thousands of attendees and hundreds of exhibitors displaying the latest assembly equipment and products. Participants will have an opportunity to see the latest technologies, learn from industry experts, and connect with their peers.

Educational Workshops

On Tuesday, October 25, several in-depth workshops will take a deep dive into specific topics of interest to industry professionals. Tuesday morning will feature two three-hour workshops, Metal Welding Overview for Battery Packs and Lean Manufacturing - The Culture of Kaizen. A short workshop, Thriving with Manufacturers’ Reps, will take place from 11:00-12:30 p.m. That afternoon, Fundamentals of Plastics Welding, Electric & Autonomous Vehicles: The Future is Now, and How to Develop the Next-Generation Manufacturing Workforce will take place from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Keynote

Charles Wetherington will give this year’s keynote presentation on Wednesday morning. He is the president and COO of BTE Technologies, a manufacturer of hi-tech medical devices for physical rehabilitation. His presentation, “Using Lean to Prepare for Manufacturing 4.0,” will discuss the importance of thorough situation analysis to determine the right opportunities on which to target change. Wetherington explains that Industry 4.0 is exciting, but it should be viewed as a toolbox. Deciding what tools to apply and when will help small and medium ventures find success in the next decade. He will share his views of this through the lens of having spent the first half of his career in Fortune 100 companies and then migrating to smaller businesses, where choices become outcomes very quickly.

Exhibit Floor

The exhibit floor at this year’s ASSEMBLY Show will feature products from many parts of the assembly process. Learning Theater Presentations, offered by exhibiting companies right on the exhibit hall floor, will cover a number of topics and demonstrate expertise in the latest technological advances in assembly. Topics covered in these presentations include robotic assembly, using AI in automotive quality inspection, automation, and leak testing best practices. Held on Wednesday, October 26, and Thursday, October 27, ASSEMBLY editors will conduct six free guided tours of the exhibit floor where participants will see five key exhibits and discuss different products and solutions at each stop. Each tour will focus on a specific theme, including autonomous and electric mobility, robotics, fastening tools, and automation in assembly.

Networking Opportunities

The ASSEMBLY Show offers several networking events, starting with the Welcome Reception & Taste of Rosemont on Tuesday evening in the exhibit hall. A staple of the show, this reception takes place right on the show floor as participants get to sample local fare and get a sneak peek at the exhibits, tools, and displays. On Wednesday evening, attendees and exhibitors will gather to kick back and relax over some barbeque and country music at The Harvest Hoedown Networking Reception. This event gives participants a chance to meet new professionals in the manufacturing space and renew relationships with existing partners. On Thursday morning, participants will again gather at the Morning Mingle & Breakfast. This breakfast event is the last chance to network and make business connections.

Along with these events, attendees at the ASSEMBLY Show will also see some of the best in the industry recognized at the ASSEMBLY Plant of the Year Award presentation and the New Products Award presentation, which will take place on Wednesday and Thursday mornings.