Assembly Tech Expo ranges from IT to tours

Rosemont, IL -Conferences on topics such as "IT in Assembly" and "Robotics and Flexible Automation" (sponsored by the Robotics Institute of America), plus tours including Ford's Taurus plant, highlight this year's edition of Assembly Technology Expo (www.atexpo.com). The event will be held at the Rosemont Convention Center from Monday, September 25 through Thursday, September 28.

Some other conference topics (and sponsors) include:

Principals of Lean Manufacturing (Association of Manufacturing Engineers)

Wire Processing (Wire Harness Manufacturing Association)

Fastening Tactics (Edison Welding Institute)

Automated Assembly (ASSEMBLY magazine)

The tour program takes place on Monday, with an additional trip to visit the Caterpillar plant in Aurora, IL on Thursday. The Taurus plant produces about 67 vehicles an hour in two eight-hour shifts. The 16-mile-long assembly line is one of the world's longest. The Cat plant builds wheel loaders and excavators and makes several configurations of each to meet worldwide requirements. Other plant tours include Tellabs (telecom transport, switching, routing, and network access), Quality Screw & Nut Company (highlighting just-in-time materials management and bin stocking), and the Morey Corporation (turnkey electronics manufacturing and engineering services). The Monday tours are only open to attendees of the related conferences.

On Tuesday morning, Leo Reddy, president of the National Coalition for Advanced Manufacturing, gives the keynote presentation, "Keys to Sustaining Productivity Growth in the 21st Century." In his talk, he will identify core factors driving manufacturing productivity growth and also discuss a national plan for enhanced growth.

Co-located with Assembly Tech Expo will be the Adhesives Conference of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and the Annual Electronics Conference of the Surface Mount Technology Association.