PowderMet2013, an annual conference sponsored by the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) and APMI International, will highlight the latest developments and trends in metal powders, as well as powder metallurgy (PM) processes, products, and applications.
The conference technical programme will feature over 175 technical presentations by authors from 25 countries. Technical sessions, poster presentations, and a slate of four special interest programmes will cover a range of subjects such as nano-particle processing, ferrous PM materials, thermal processing for enhanced properties, MIM stainless steel, carbides, fine nickel and cobalt powders, PM aluminium alloys, and atomisation. There are sessions on novel sintering, magnesium advances, machining, sinter hardening, cermets, dimensional analysis through sintering, MIM properties, processing, and microPIM. Other topics will include dimensional control, modelling, compaction, titanium, soft magnet composites, HIPing, lubrication, NDT methods, fatigue, advanced powder processing, additive manufacturing (otherwise known as 3D printing), strategic PM materials, technologies for PM growth, and green finishing, hard finishing and testing of gears.
In addition to the comprehensive technical programme, the conference will include management-focused sessions open to MPIF-member companies: “Battling the business tsunami with performance-oriented cultures,” “Production & quality gainsharing – a high performance work system,” “To Reshore or offshore: how to help your customer objectively decide,” “PM technology scan,” and “Tax, healthcare, and a hostile financial environment in the PM industry.”
The conference opening general session on Tuesday, 25 June, will feature the keynote talk, “US manufacturing: more important now than ever,” by Michael F Molnar, Director – Advanced Manufacturing Programme Office, Chief Manufacturing Offices – National Institute of Standards and Technology, United Stated Department of Commerce. Molnar is the chief spokesperson for President Obama’s proposed new US$1 billion initiative for a National Network for Manufacturing Innovation. NNMI, as it is known, is intended to catalyse up to 15 manufacturing innovation institutes around the US.
The opening session will also feature the popular annual MPIF State-of-the-Industry Report. Additional conference events include the Industry Recognition Luncheon and the PM Design Excellence Awards Luncheon. The social highlight of the conference will be dinner and an evening on the Chicago River.
Click here to register for the show, or here to view an interactive conference programme that includes session abstracts, special interest programmes, and posters. An updated exhibitor listing showcasing the leading suppliers of metal powders and particulate materials, processing equipment, and PM products is available here and guide to speakers can be found here (pdf).
