Topic of additive manufacturing/3D printing session kicks off series March 16 in Detroit

DETROIT, Feb. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the factory of the future and the Internet of Things continue to be the future of manufacturing, SME will provide detail, education and thought leadership on these industry-changing technologies and approaches. On March 16, SME will kick off its Smart Manufacturing Seminar Series with a session titled "Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing: Transition to Production" at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.

"Smart manufacturing is going to change how everything is made," said Jeff Krause, chief executive officer of SME. "It is essential for manufacturing companies and professionals to have a better understanding of what this means for them - from advanced manufacturing technologies to the tools, processes and practices used in development and production."

The agenda for "Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing: Transition to Production" features key leaders and experts from various additive manufacturing and 3D printing companies and organizations, including America Makes, Materialise USA, Direct Dimensions, Met-L-Flo and the U.S. Army. Attendees will hear how experts in additive manufacturing have transitioned from prototype modeling to full production quality, as well as discuss materials, processes and 3D scanning. Regional additive manufacturing companies will also be on-site displaying and sharing knowledge of their newest technologies. View the full agenda here.

In addition to additive manufacturing, upcoming one- and two-day sessions will cover digital manufacturing, lightweighting, composites and advanced materials. The sessions will take place in metropolitan markets including Detroit, Chicago and Salt Lake City.

To further focus on the topic of smart manufacturing, SME's media group, Advanced Manufacturing Media, expects to launch Smart Manufacturing magazine in the spring of 2016. Learn more or subscribe here.

Smart Manufacturing Seminar Series schedule:
Additive Manufacturing/3D Printing: Transition to Production
March 16, Detroit
Hear how experts in additive manufacturing facilitated their transition from prototype to full production volumes. Materials, processes and 3D scanning will all be discussed.

Smart Manufacturing: The Digital Transformation
May 24, Detroit
Discover how smart manufacturing technologies connect design, planning, production and distribution to drive process improvements, reduce operational costs and increase efficiencies.

Advanced Composites Manufacturing for Aerospace
June 7 and 8, Salt Lake City
Learn from leaders in industry, government and academia and explore emerging ways to leverage advances in manufacturing processes and systems as well as business best practices to speed innovation and better compete in the global marketplace.

Additive Manufacturing
Oct. 4 and 5, Detroit
Hear how experts in additive manufacturing facilitated their transition from prototype to full production volumes. Materials, processes and 3D scanning will all be discussed. This seminar will be preceded by a half-day tutorial on Oct. 4.

Smart Manufacturing: The Digital Transformation
Nov. 9, Chicago
Discover how smart manufacturing technologies connect design, planning, production and distribution to drive process improvements, reduce operational costs and increase efficiencies.

About SME
SME connects all those who are passionate about making things that improve our world. As a non-profit organization, SME has served practitioners, companies, educators, governments and communities across the manufacturing spectrum for more than 80 years. Through its strategic areas of events, media, membership, training and development, and the SME Education Foundation, SME is uniquely dedicated to the advancement of manufacturing by addressing both knowledge and skill needs for the industry. Follow @SME_MFG on Twitter or facebook.com/SMEmfg.