2023 Agenda

All times listed are Central Time Zone (CT)

Tuesday October 24, 2023

TUESDAY CONFERENCE PROGRAMMING

9:00 AM - 9:40 AM
Track 1Influencing the Design - Design for Automation
Andy Saemann, Hypertherm Inc.
Labor shortages, high operating costs, supply chain challenges, and intense competition have made first-time-right design critical for reducing the cost and complexity of a value stream. However, product designers often overlook manufacturability and ease of assembly when balancing various factors in their designs. As a result, manufacturing engineers can get stuck with a difficult to assemble product. In this presentation attendees will learn about the importance of designing for automation and the role of manufacturing engineers in the design process. The speaker will discuss the benefits of embedding manufacturing engineers in design teams, providing real-life anecdotes, pitfalls, and examples. Attendees will gain insights on how a manufacturing-inclusive product design team can unlock value that was previously unexplored, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. The presentation will provide practical guidance on influencing the design to design for automation, helping attendees to optimize their product designs for easier manufacturability and assembly.

Track 2Don't Automate Waste: Know How to Develop and Execute Your Automation Plan
Greg Tomek, Merkur
How to develop an automation plan and identify waste and bottlenecks. This presentation will focus on when and how to automate and implement best practices throughout the process.

Track 3Lean Manufacturing — The Culture of Kaizen
Sammy Obara, Honsha
The Kaizen as a mindset and culture differs greatly from the popular Kaizen event and other continuous improvement approaches. This workshop is an interactive and hands on way to understand the key concepts of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement. Through simulations, you will understand the principles of seven wastes, Just in Time and Kaizen that have been a consistent philosophy at Toyota since its early days. The topics that will be demonstrated with exercises include the Kaizen Teian methodology, its purpose, implementation techniques and standardization elements. There will also be a series of pictorial examples from Toyota Japan to show how they handle this foundational step to make it a culture.

This session runs from 9:00 AM - 11:55 AM.
9:45 AM - 10:25 AM
Track 1What’s New in Robotic Arc Welding?
Mike Monnin, CLOOS Robotic Welding
Robotic welding is rapidly evolving to meet the changing demands of the manufacturing industry. Recent advances have made robotic welding easier and more affordable, enabling a new generation of manufacturers to take advantage of the technology. Investment in robotic welding is easier to justify, due to trends such as labor shortages, supply chain disruption, global competition, quality demands and the need for digital-driven manufacturing.

This session will review the top five innovations in robotic welding today, as well as provide a look at future technologies on the horizon. Whether you are considering your first robotic welder or expanding your current fleet of robots, this session will provide information you can use today, tomorrow and in the future.

Track 2AI Copilots for Manufacturing Engineers
Cyrus Shaoul, Leela AI
Collecting and analyzing visual data of assembly operations by hand is expensive, inaccurate and impractical. To scale manufacturing analysis to the scale required by today's facilities, new paradigms are required. There are new kinds of machine vision technologies that can inspect manual and machine activity with never before seen fidelity. We will examine the uses of these technologies to find and mitigate various kinds of waste and to increase the safety of the workplace while increasing quality.
Attendees will learn about the latest advances in visual intelligence and how leading manufacturers are using these solutions to increase team cohesion, increase capacity, reduce near-misses and increase yields. Attendees will also learn how this technology can reduce friction around handoffs between robots/automation and human operators.

Track 3Lean Manufacturing — The Culture of Kaizen (cont.)
Sammy Obara, Honsha
This session runs from 9:00 AM - 11:55 AM. Full description is listed under 9:00 AM time slot.
10:25 AM - 10:40 AM

Conference Center Foyer

Morning Break
Morning Coffee Break is included for all 'TUESDAY CONFERENCE PACKAGE' registrants
10:40 AM - 11:20 AM
Track 1Four Key Elements to Get Enthusiastic Buy-In to Change in One Day or Less
Paul Vragel, 4aBetterBusiness Inc.
Implementing change in a company is difficult, to say the least. According to Gallup research, more than 70% of change initiatives do not achieve their objectives. Among the major causes cited: Lack of employee engagement and employee resistance to change. This presentation presents techniques, proven in use by 4aBetterBusiness for over 25 years, that have helped companies develop immediate, enthusiastic buy-in to change, and leverage the participation and contribution to reliably accomplish large-scale, sustainable change. Using these techniques has helped companies achieve operational excellence, create an improvement-seeking culture, attract and retain employees and implement ongoing digital transformation. Takeaways include:
  • 4 Key elements of achieving buy-in to change
  • Techniques to implement in your own organization
  • The value of implementation at speed
  • Working with an already-busy organization and executives

Track 2Digitize and Automate Your First Steps Towards AI
Ed Goffin, Pleora Technologies
This presentation will separate hype versus reality when it comes to real-world AI deployments. For many manufacturers investigating AI there is still a great deal of confusion around the capabilities of the technology based on “best case” scenarios. This often leads to cost concerns, delayed deployments, and disappointing results. Instead, a more scaled approach that starts with digitization and evolves towards wider AI-based automation often delivers better outcomes for manufacturers. As part of this discussion, we will look at how an electronics manufacturer and distillery are using machine vision and AI-based tools to first digitize error-prone human processes and gather data to help guide and simplify an AI automation strategy.

Track 3Lean Manufacturing — The Culture of Kaizen (cont.)
Sammy Obara, Honsha
This session runs from 9:00 AM - 11:55 AM. Full description is listed under 9:00 AM time slot.
11:25 AM - 11:55 AM
Track 1Attracting and Retaining a Great Workforce Via Pay Per Performance
Vince Sassano, Strategic Performance Company, Inc.
Individual and team performance and recognition are becoming just as important as productivity and efficiency, although these are not often fully understood and seldom measured. In our post-COVID world, retention/turnover has had a significant negative impact on the bottom line. In this presentation, with a goal to attract and retain quality employees, we’ll discuss the basics and the nuances of implementing a framework that links pay to performance for individuals and departments, while demonstrating the benefits that accrue from proper recognition. Although some technology is necessary to implement such a framework, the design and implementation is quite straightforward. Anything that affects pay will of course need corporate/HR approval, however the advantages of having such a program in place and supported by the organization make self-management for the betterment of the organization a reality. Along with a more stable and satisfied workforce, productivity and profits will increase.

Track 2Automated Assembly in the Age of Industry 4.0
Brian Romano, The Arthur G. Russell Co. Inc.
As US manufacturers continue to experience a workforce skills gap and labor shortage, companies have begun to ask more from the OEM, including remote support, monitoring, and maintenance programs. What was once a system enhancement and offering for the customer’s internal use, an Industry 4.0 implementation is a means to leverage the technology for OEMs to provide the service and support requested by their customers.

Track 3Lean Manufacturing — The Culture of Kaizen (cont.)
Sammy Obara, Honsha
This session runs from 9:00 AM - 11:55 AM. Full description is listed under 9:00 AM time slot.
11:55 AM - 1:05 PM

Conference Center Foyer

Lunch
Luncheon is included for all 'TUESDAY CONFERENCE PACKAGE' registrants
1:05 PM - 1:45 PM
Track 1 Building an Effective Talent Strategy
Alex Chausovsky, Bundy Group
The war for talent rages on. Some organizations are ill-prepared to handle the challenges of an increasingly complex labor market, shackled by the “we’ve always done it this way” mentality. Others are thriving, armed with analytical insights and surrounded by allies, allowing them to snap up and retain highly performing impact players and supercharge their growth. What kind of an organization are you? More importantly, what kind do you want to be in the future? This presentation will deliver key insights designed to help business leaders and decision makers elevate their talent-focused activities:
  • Provide a current and insightful assessment of labor market conditions
  • Identify the key elements that make an organization attractive to top talent
  • Share best-in-class hiring strategies including metrics and practices
  • Convey the top factors that drive talent retention
  • Deliver practical and actionable advice on what businesses can do to become better at attracting, hiring, and retaining workers

Track 2Pitfalls and Approaches for Project Integrations that Include Multiple Technology Classes
Charlie Shortridge, Invio Automation
Manufacturers today are tasked with carrying out broad, strategic mandates for implementing the 'Factory of the Future'. In practice, what does mean for the manufacturing engineer on the factory floor? A factory of the future may entail a mix of technologies that are integrated both 'across the factory floor' and 'up and down the industrial tech stack'. Given these challenges, we offer five recommendations to best position projects and organizations for success and will highlight two case studies from industry. Key takeaways include approaches (collaborative workshopping and guided floor walks), frameworks for uncovering project pitfalls (taking the "horizontal view" to trace dependencies among projects), and case studies / lessons learned from how projects unfold, in practice. Content will briefly discuss the breadth and depth of automation solutions as it relates to assembly plants, but will primarily focus on tactical ways to ensure project success (from a System's integrator perspective).

Track 3Does Your Robot Need a Tool Changer?
Baron Kendrick, ATI Industrial Automation
One of the main selling points for robots is their flexibility. Unlike conventional automation systems, robots can be programmed to perform any number of tasks—either in sequence as part of a single production cycle, or when assembling families of similar products.

However, robots can be limited by their end effectors. Once a robot has been equipped with a gripper designed for a specific part, it becomes restricted in what it can do. The robot can’t pick up a part with a different size or shape, nor can it perform some other task, such as deburring. It was with this hurdle in mind that automated tool changers were invented.

In this presentation, you’ll learn what tool changers are, how they work, when to use them, when not to use them, options, features to look for, tips for implementing them, and example use cases.
1:50 PM - 2:20 PM
Track 1Designing for the Frontline Worker: Strategies for Creating Effective Manufacturing Operations Platforms
Kimberly Andersson, Tulip Interfaces
Traditionally, user experience has been an afterthought when designing industrial operations software, with the frontline operator the last persona considered. But operator engagement is critical when it comes to adopting the new, often expensive software and technology solutions designed to solve problems and increase productivity on the factory floor. Kimberly's approach to product design puts the frontline operator as top priority.

Track 2 Advantage of the Smart Factory: How Location Data Can Improve Efficiency, Sustainability, and Enable AI Capabilities
Mehdi Ben Tanfous, Kinexon Inc.
The future of operations is autonmous and sustainable. Factories are involved in moving billions of moving things: from assets, to people over processes. In an Industrial context, efficient operations are key. They are also mission-critical for the global value-creation. Our presentation focuses on how real time location technologies improve productivity, efficiency and sustainability, all while achieving a fast ROI.

Track 3The Future of Automated Assembly
Jon Quick, Launchpad.build
Despite the numerous benefits of automation, many assembly tasks are still performed manually. One reason is the upfront cost of automation. Automating a production line can be expensive, as it requires the purchase of customized equipment and the training of employees to operate and maintain it. Another reason is a lack of flexibility. Yet one more reason is a lack of available technology. For example, tasks that require a high level of dexterity or precision, such as wiring, are often not suitable for automation.

Now, advances in robotics and artificial intelligence are promising to overcome these limitations. What does this mean for manufacturing and how does it change the paradigm for reshoring, localized and distributed manufacturing, and product life cycles? Get answers to these questions and more in this presentation.
2:20 PM - 2:35 PM

Conference Center Foyer

Afternoon Break
Afternoon Refreshments are included for all 'TUESDAY CONFERENCE PACKAGE' registrants
2:35 PM - 3:00 PM
Track 1How Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives Enable Advanced EV Battery Designs
Max VanRaaphorst, Avery Dennison Performance Tapes
Various design trends and engineering challenges are driving interest in new and effective bonding solutions for EV battery pack materials. These solutions include high-performance tapes featuring pressure-sensitive adhesives. Such tapes provide not only effective bonding, but help address issues related to flame retardancy, boosting dielectric, and optimizing design and assembly. In this session, Max VanRaaphorst, Avery Dennison Performance Tapes business development manager for eMobility and Automotive, will showcase the benefits of pressure-sensitive adhesive technology. He’ll discuss why it’s a sound solution for a wide range of pack applications and provide an overview of Avery Dennison’s capabilities related to EV batteries.

Track 2Augmented Reality: A Game-Changer for Manufacturing and Assembly Workflows
Paul Ryznar, LightGuide Inc.
Even though automation continues to advance, it's predicted up to 80% of all products will require human involvement at some stage of the manufacturing value chain. Investing in technologies like augmented reality (AR) that empower your frontline workforce can make a dramatic impact. In this session, LightGuide Founder & CEO Paul Ryznar will share practical tips for leveraging AR to optimize manufacturing and assembly workflows for breakthroughs in quality, workforce productivity and operational agility. Come explore the advantages and applications of AR and discover proven ways to:
  • Streamline complex manual workflows for greater efficiency
  • Enhance quality control to improve yield and eliminate rework
  • Capture manual process data and improve traceability for a more complete view of manufacturing operations
  • Reduce the time and cost of recruiting and workforce development through enhanced training

Track 3Maximizing Safety and Overall Equipment Efficiency Using Robots
Renato Osaki, Robotic Product Manager, Omron Automation
Adrian Choy, Robotic Product Manager, Omron Automation
This presentation will provide an overview on robotic safety principles and how they can improve overall equipment effectiveness in manufacturing operations. Topics will include an overview of safety practices for common robot categories, safety considerations for various robotics installations, and how adhering to safety standards and best practices can improve productivity.
3:05 PM - 3:30 PM
Track 1Li-ion Battery Recycling: Challenges and New Processes
Albert Lipson , Argonne National Laboratory
Lithium-ion batteries need to be recycled to prevent environmental harm and recover valuable materials for reuse. However, the current design of some battery packs makes it difficult to efficiently recycle them. Commercialized battery recycling technologies recover the metallic elements in the battery for reuse. However, many materials and much of the value of the battery cannot be recovered in these processes. In this session, Albert Lipson will discuss these challenges and future technologies that are being developed to recycle more of the battery and keep some of the materials in forms so that they can be directly reused in batteries.

Track 2Practical Examples of AI on the Shop Floor
Yanesh Naidoo, Jendamark Automation Ltd.
This session cuts through the hype around artificial intelligence and provides practical examples of how the technology is being applied on the shop floor right now. AI-powered vision systems are being used for quality control, defect detection and real-time monitoring of production processes. AI is being used to analyze historical data from the shop floor to predict equipment failures, maintenance needs, and optimize production schedules. And, AI-driven machines are making real-time decisions and adjustments to optimize production processes based on data inputs. If you’re thinking about applying AI to your operation, don’t miss this session.

Track 3Dieless Forming of Sheet Metal With Robots
Edward Mehr, Machina Labs
One of manufacturing’s dirty little secrets is that virtually all production lines are purpose-built to produce just one component or product, which means that any design change renders that production line obsolete. While those lines are operational, uptime pressure is such that manufacturers are loath to apply patches to known security vulnerabilities because they require downtime that leads to lost revenue and unhappy customers. AI and robotics applications are emerging to tackle custom and costly tooling challenges. Forming technology innovations can unlock development and performance advantages in manufacturing applications by rapidly shaping metal sheets into large, complex, high-value skins and structures. Edward Mehr, CEO and Co-Founder of Machina Labs, can discuss how material- and geometry-agnostic technology can outperform traditional sheet metal methods and explain how dieless robotic sheet forming processes can reduce time to produce the first part from months to minutes, while saving up to $1M per design.
3:35 PM - 4:00 PM
Track 1Robotic Digital Twin for Electrical Vehicle Battery Recycling
Young Soo Park, Argonne National Laboratory
EV battery recycling is expected to be a multi-billion-dollar industry by the year 2030. Currently, battery recycling is mainly focused on the cell level, but more effort can be expended on disassembly of the battery packs. Battery packs are heavy, come in a large variety, and often involve high voltage. It is expected that robotic automation can replace current manual approaches to make the process safer, more efficient, affordable, and adaptable. In this session, Young Park will discuss the potential use of telerobotics and robotic digital twin technology to overcome obstacles.

Track 2Assembly Automation for Plastics Processors
Guy O'Gara, Automated Machine Systems Inc.
Plastic Processors have recognized automation as the number one pain point; seeking advice and expertise for the right solutions can be a challenge. With over 20 years of plastic joining and automation experience, Guy will provide real world examples of successful automation projects deployed by plastic processors. Reducing labor, decreasing cycle times, and increasing part quality are just a few of the benefits automated assembly and test equipment can solve. Guy will provide case studies from AMS that will include process overview, challenges, and value-added solutions implemented with return on investment (ROI) data.

Track 3How to Use Autonomous Mobile Robots to Transform Material Flow
Cory Weber, Bosch Rexroth Corp.
Connecting an automated flow of raw materials and finished goods using Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) is an excellent way to reduce cost, increase safety, optimize or reduce downtime, and reduce forklift traffic in the production area. This talk will cover transforming your material flow to your production cells with AMRs. We will cover the available AMR technologies and industry approaches. Dive into autonomous mobile robot navigation technologies LIDAR SLAM, Video SLAM, and location precision enhancement methods like using RFIDs, QR Codes, and guide tape and their implications and limitations for your facility. This presentation will also cover how to choose suitable first projects that provide proof of value while ensuring the first projects are a successful springboard for expansion and integration. Lastly, this presentation will overview approaches to achieving managerial and workforce buy-in and dealing with IT constraints and concerns.
4:00 PM

Hall A

Exhibit Hall Opens
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Hall A

Taste of Rosemont Welcome Reception & Taste of Rosemont
What better way to kick off The ASSEMBLY Show than with a reception right on the show floor? Join us for a Tuesday evening welcome reception, aptly named the Taste of Rosemont, to sample local fare and get a sneak peek of the various exhibits, tools and displays.
Sponsored by
Schunk
7:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Closes
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
9:00 AM - 9:05 AM
Welcome Address & Opening Remarks
John Sprovieri, Editor-in-Chief, ASSEMBLY Magazine
9:05 AM - 9:10 AM
ASSEMBLY Plant of the Year Award Presentation
Austin Weber, Senior Editor, ASSEMBLY Magazine
The Assembly Plant of the Year award was initiated in 2004 to showcase world-class production facilities in America, and the people, products and processes that make them successful. Join us as we announce the 2023 Plant of the Year award winner!
Sponsored by
ASSEMBLY
9:10 AM – 10:00 AM
Keynote Presentation Leveraging Machine Data and Business Intelligence to Position Your People for Future Success
Roger Koenigsknecht, Vice President of North American Connection Systems, Lear Corp.
People are inherently susceptible to want to skew data. Whether its to impress the boss or shape the future of a project, there is the tendency to choose or manipulate the figures to support the outcome. The problem is these adjustments can ripple through a company creating higher costs, masking inefficiencies, and eventually impacting your most critical resource – your workforce. Now what would happen if machine data and business intelligence databases provided your organization with real-time unfiltered information? During this presentation, Roger will examine how drilling down to collect and share unbiased data can position manufacturing companies and their workers for future success.
Sponsored by
Promess
10:00 AM
Exhibit Hall Opens

Learning Theater Presentations

The ASSEMBLY Show's Learning Theater Presentations, presented by exhibiting companies right on the exhibit hall floor, will cover various topics and demonstrate expertise on some of the latest technological advances in assembly.

10:45 AM – 11:15 AM

Theater #1

Learning Theater Presentation #1
Reliable Robotic Leak Detection Enabling Smart Manufacturing of Refrigeration and Airconditioning Systems
Daniel Hoffman, INFICON Inc.
For 20 years, manufacturers have been trying to automate leak detection on hand braze copper tubing in refrigerator applications. INFICON, a world leader in leak detection technologies, pioneering new technologies and sensing technologies for the seal integrity space every year, has recently partnered in developing a vision system capable of picking up on discrepancies of hand brazed copper tubing from part to part. INFICON is the first and only company with the capability of this new, innovative Vision System that will allow customers to automatically detect the variations of hand brazed components with a robotic arm. This will allow for fully autonomous testing, improving quality and cycle time for the refrigeration space.
Sponsored by
Inficon
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM

Theater #2

Learning Theater Presentation #2
What is Your Connected Environment Strategy? A Framework for Implementation.
Matt Shorts, Cox 2M
As environments such as manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and distribution centers become more connected, siloed networks and technology solutions will start to proliferate. If done piecemeal, this can prevent you from truly unlocking the power and value of each solution. Prioritizing investing in an overarching strategy will help frame the best-connected environment approach for your organization’s bottom line. Implementing this strategy will assist in aligning heterogeneous networks, building supporting infrastructure, enabling data collection and decisioning, and driving interactions that are imperative to the operation of your business.
Sponsored By:
Cox-2m
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM

Theater #1

Learning Theater Presentation #3
Introduction to Parts Feeding – Parts Singulation for Robot Automation
Scott Marsic, Epson Robots
If you have an assembly application and need to build parts, chances are, you will need parts feeding. From bowl feeders to vibratory feeders, there are many solutions available today. Figuring out which one to go with can be daunting. With over 4 decades of automation experience, Epson Robots has the expertise to walk you through the process and explain the various feeder types available in the market. We will also take you through areas to consider and how to get started.

Attend this session and learn:
  • How to select the right parts feeder
  • Industry Trends
  • Getting to know the essentials
  • Pitfalls to avoid
Sponsored By:
Epson
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Community Hub - Booth #1113

Guided Tour #1Lean Manufacturing and Manual Assembly
Tour Guide Austin Weber, Senior Editor, ASSEMBLY Magazine
According to ASSEMBLY’s annual Capital Equipment Spending Survey, 87 percent of factories employ at least some manual operations to assemble their products. People are the most flexible assembly machines, after all. Designing, equipping and managing a manual assembly process requires a different skillset than an automated one. This tour will introduce you to six suppliers that can help you create efficient line layouts; error-proof your process; and prevent work-related injuries.
Learn More About Guided Tours
TOUR STOPS INCLUDE All Metal Designs
Creform Corp.
Indeva
SUS America Inc.
UNEX Manufacturing
12:15 PM – 12:45 PM

Theater #2

Learning Theater Presentation #4
Building a Competitive Edge: The Importance of Digital Transformation for Small to Medium-Sized Factories
Ryan Kuhlenbeck, Pico MES
98% of American manufacturing consists of small to medium-sized businesses. There is a real need to equip these mid-sized factories for a productive future to support the resurgence of manufacturing.

This session will cover:
  • How mid-sized factories can start their digital transformation journey without creating culture shock.
  • The value of a connected shop floor to various departments e.g. Quality, Operations, and Engineering.
  • How easy it is to get started with a live demo! No code implementation and no consultants.
  • How to take advantage of automatic data collection from over 1,900 devices - available on day 1.
Sponsored By:
Pico-Mes
12:45 PM – 1:15 PM

Theater #1

Learning Theater Presentation #5
Tracer Gas Leak Testing vs Air Leak Testing – Improving Speed and Reliability
Paul Chamberlain, LACO Technologies
For over 30 years, LACO has been the trusted source of leak testing solutions for production environments. Our primary goal is to deliver robust solutions that provide results you can trust. In this presentation, Paul will explore the key features and benefits of the most common tracer gas leak test methods, as well as share how tracer gas leak testing can improve your test reliability and decrease test cycle times when compared to air leak testing methods. He will also provide real-world case studies, presenting practical applications you can implement to achieve greater confidence in your leak testing process.
Sponsored by
Laco Technologies
1:15 PM – 1:45 PM

Theater #2

Learning Theater Presentation #6
Get Your Plant Future-Ready
Doug Moore, Starline, a brand of Legrand
Discover the ultimate power distribution solution for manufacturing sites with Starline Track Busway. This innovative system – featuring the new & revolutionary splashproof series - offers unrivaled scalability, modularity, and cost-savings, reducing upfront and ongoing installation costs by up to 90%. Join Starline's presentation to learn how their plug-in units allow for fast and safe reconfigurations and eliminate costly downtime, making your investment future-proof.
Sponsored by
Starline
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Community Hub - Booth #1113

Guided Tour #2 Robotics
Tour Guide John Sprovieri, Editor-in-Chief, ASSEMBLY Magazine
With product lifecycles getting shorter, the need for flexible automation is becoming more important. As a result, manufacturers worldwide are increasingly investing in robotics. Today’s robots are faster, more precise, and easier to use than ever, and their connectivity is playing a key role in today’s increasingly digital manufacturing environments. This tour provides a look at the complete range of assembly robots, including SCARAs, six-axis robots and the hottest technology today—collaborative robots.
Learn More About Guided Tours
TOUR STOPS INCLUDE Epson Robots
FANUC America Corp.
IAI America Inc.
SCHUNK
MTA Automation Inc.
1:45 PM – 2:15 PM

Theater #1

Learning Theater Presentation #7
Predictive Quality is the Key to EV Production Scaling
Greta Cutulenco, Acerta Analytics
Many manufacturers of parts for internal combustion vehicles have embraced Industry 4.0 for productivity gains, knowing that real-time insights into manufacturing data can help increase key quality metrics and improve processes. But what about manufacturers of EV parts or those who are adding electrification lines into existing facilities? They don’t have decades of experience to lean on as they ramp up production. To add another layer of complexity, they need to innovate and introduce new parts to market as quickly as possible.

In this presentation, Greta Cutulenco will introduce ways that manufacturers in the EV space can use data to reduce test times, ensure part quality, and accelerate speed to market. She’ll talk about the importance of investing in digitalization and adopting technologies like machine learning and AI to leverage production and test data proactively. Learn how you can unlock your data – the key to predictive quality and productivity in EV manufacturing.
Sponsored by
Acerta Analytics
2:15 PM – 2:45 PM

Theater #2

Learning Theater Presentation #8
How Friction Impacts Torque and the Fastening Process
David Cash, Mountz Torque
What is the relationship between torque and friction? The process of tightening a fastener involves various elements. The friction behavior between the fastener and the joint is critical to secure the desired clamp load. Torque and friction go together like peanut butter and jelly or nuts and bolts.

With the torque control assembly method, it is essential to understand friction's role during the fastening process. Friction is a crucial element of torquing a fastener. Understanding friction allows you to establish tightening parameters for your assembly application to ensure a reliable fastening process. Without knowing how torque and friction correlate for an application exposes risks for the manufacturing process to product failures and escalating scrap rate costs.

Gain an understanding of friction in threaded fasteners, the variables that impact torque, and methods to achieve clamp load for a threaded fastener joint.
Sponsored by
Mountz
2:45 PM – 3:15 PM

Theater #1

Learning Theater Presentation #9
How to Transform Your Workforce into a Competitive Advantage with AR
Jake Hall, The Manufacturing Millennial
Paul Ryznar, LightGuide
The world of manufacturing is constantly changing, and digital technologies are playing an increasingly important role. One of these groundbreaking technologies is Augmented Reality (AR) with the potential to revolutionize manufacturing operations and empower workforces like never before. In this learning theater session, we’ll explore how leading manufacturers are transforming their workforce into a formidable competitive advantage through technologies like AR.
Sponsored by
Lightguide
3:15 PM – 3:45 PM

Theater #2

Learning Theater Presentation #10
Maximize Workforce Agility: Attracting and Retaining the Right Talent at the Right Time
Stephen White, Kelly Professional & Industrial
The manufacturing industry faces numerous challenges in today's volatile economic landscape—and fierce competition for top talent adds to the complexity of maintaining a fully-staffed team. Join Stephen White, Chief of Staff, Business Unit Growth of Kelly Professional & Industrial, to learn flexible strategies for optimizing operations, processes, and talent to build a thriving manufacturing workforce.
Sponsored by
Kelly
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Community Hub - Booth #1113

Guided Tour #3 Conveyors and Material Handling
Tour Guide Jennifer Pierce, Editor, ASSEMBLY Magazine
Transportation — moving parts or assemblies from place to place in a factory — is one of the seven wastes specified in the principles of lean manufacturing. Transportation does not add value. That does not obviate the need for conveyors, however. These machines remain essential for getting the right parts to the right spot at the right time. This tour will show you how the right material handling technology can increase efficiency.
Learn More About Guided Tours
TOUR STOPS INCLUDE Automation & Modular Components Inc.
Bosch Rexroth Corp.
FlexLink Systems Inc.
Glide-Line
Quickdraw Conveyor Systems
5:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Closes
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Pub NightPub Night Networking Reception
The ASSEMBLY Show is excited to bring back 'Pub Night' for our Wednesday evening networking reception. Attendees and exhibitors will gather in the adjoining ballroom to kick back and relax over a pint, chat over sliders and make new connections while playing fun backyard games. Also, during the reception, there will be a special raffle drawing where participants could win $$$ and something really special! Don't forget to complete ASG's Word Search game found in your tote bag and turn it into booth #517 to be entered in the raffle!

This social environment will allow participants to meet new manufacturing professionals and continue to build relationships with existing business partners in a fun and exciting atmosphere. PLUS - The Quality Show participants will be joining us for 'Pub Night' in 2023 for additional networking and comradery!
Sponsored by
ASG
Thursday October 26, 2023

pink ribbonPink Out Day

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Thursday, October 26 is our official “Pink Out Day” to support cancer fighters, admire survivors, honor those lost, and never give up hope to find a cure. Please join fellow event attendees by wearing pink when attending the event and donating to Susan G. Komen Foundation when registering!
Learn More

9:00 AM

Hall A

Exhibit Hall Opens
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Hall A, Main Street

Morning Mingle Morning Mingle & Breakfast
Join us on the final morning of The ASSEMBLY Show for complimentary continental breakfast and coffee right on the exhibit floor. This crowd favorite provides a final opportunity to network and solidify business connections before you hit the road back home.
Canvas
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Hall A

New Products Awards Presentation
John Sprovieri, Editor-in-Chief, ASSEMBLY Magazine
Hundreds of exhibitors display the latest products and services at The ASSEMBLY Show. Fasteners, power tools, adhesives, dispensing equipment, conveyors, robots, software and, of course, automated assembly systems are among the myriad new products on display. To help draw attention to the breadth and quality of new technologies on display, The ASSEMBLY Show holds an annual "New Product of the Year" contest at the show. Join us as we announce the 2023 New Product Award Winners voted by The ASSEMBLY Show attendees. Learn more about New Product Awards.
Presented by
ASSEMBLY
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Community Hub - Booth #1113

Guided Tour #4 Fastening Tools
Tour Guide Austin Weber, Senior Editor, ASSEMBLY Magazine
Error proofing, quality control and flexibility are essential on today’s assembly lines. As a result, manufacturers are increasingly investing in state-of-the-art fastening tools. Today’s tools allow engineers to adjust fastening speed to match various applications and control more aspects of the tightening process, including key parameters such as torque and angle. The ASSEMBLY Show features numerous suppliers of fastening tools and accessories. This tour provides a look at six leading vendors.
Learn More About Guided Tours
TOUR STOPS INCLUDE ASG, Division of Jergens Inc.
Delta Regis Tools
Desoutter
Ingersoll Rand
Nitto Kohki USA Inc.

Learning Theater Presentations

The ASSEMBLY Show's Learning Theater Presentations, presented by exhibiting companies right on the exhibit hall floor, will cover various topics and demonstrate expertise on some of the latest technological advances in assembly.

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Theater #1

Learning Theater Presentation #13
Unveiling the Power of Automation and Value Stream Mapping
Paul Schwanbeck, Pro-Active Engineering
Join us as Paul reveals the transformative impact of automation and VSM at Pro-Active Engineering. From our state-of-the-art 45,000 sq. ft. facility in Sun Prairie, WI, we have been providing top-notch electronic design, PCB layout, and assembly services since 1996. Industries spanning from industrial equipment to pharmaceutical products have benefited from our expertise. And with our dedicated Speed Shop for quick-turn prototyping, we deliver innovation at an unprecedented pace. Discover how our investment in cutting-edge technology has revolutionized our operations. Don't miss this captivating session at The Assembly Show. Join us on the forefront of innovation at Pro-Active Engineering!
Sponsored by
smta
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Theater #1

Learning Theater Presentation #14
AI-based Assembly Verification for Process Compliance and Yield Improvement with Computer Vision
Nitin Gupta, Dori AI
Discover how Dori AI is revolutionizing manufacturing operations with cutting-edge AI and Computer Vision technology. Our talk will delve into the transformative impact of AI-based assembly verification on process compliance and yield improvement. Learn how our innovative solutions enhance quality control, reduce defects, and optimize production, empowering manufacturers to achieve greater efficiency and profitability.
Sponsored by
dori
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Community Hub - Booth #1113

Guided Tour #5 Plastics Assembly
Tour Guide John Sprovieri, Editor-in-Chief, ASSEMBLY Magazine
Plastic welding isn’t one technology — the term encompasses a range of joining technologies that continue to evolve to meet a wide range of assembly needs. These include ultrasonic welding, vibration welding and heat staking. Whether you’re putting together an automotive taillight assembly or a medical test cartridge, you’ll find the latest technology at The ASSEMBLY Show. This tour will take you to six leading suppliers.
Learn More About Guided Tours
TOUR STOPS INCLUDE Dukane
MS Ultrasonic Technology LLC
Rinco Ultrasonics/Forward Technology Industries
Telsonic Ultrasonics
U.S. Heatstake
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Community Hub - Booth #1113

Guided Tour #6 Manufacturing Software
Tour Guide Austin Weber, Senior Editor, ASSEMBLY Magazine
In the factory of the future, software will be as important to assembly as robots, riveters and nutrunners. This tour will introduce you to six software suppliers that are leading the digital transformation of assembly lines. We’ll cover the gamut of software technology, from error-proofing workstations to analyzing the performance of assembly lines or entire plants. Whether you’re looking for ERP software or digital work instructions, you’ll find it at The ASSEMBLY Show.
Learn More About Guided Tours
TOUR STOPS INCLUDE Automation Intellect
Cetec ERP
Tulip
Ujigami
VKS
2:00 PM

Hall A

Exhibit Hall Closes
ASSEMBLY Audible Podcasts
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
11:00 AM
Sponsored by:
QAD Redzone
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
11:20 AM
Sponsored by:
Mountz
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
11:40 AM
Meaghan Ziemba
Host, Mavens of Manufacturing
Sponsored by:
Mavens of Manufacturing
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
1:00 PM
Jacob (MFGKid) Sanchez
Industrial Analyst and Content Creator, Industrial Strength Marketing (INDUSTRIAL)
Sponsored by:
industrial
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
1:20 PM
Sammy Obara
Partner, Honsha
Sponsored by:
honsha
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
1:40 PM
Glenn Nausley
President, Promess
Sponsored by:
promess
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
2:00 PM
Corey Merchant
VP-Americas at Kitov.AI
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
2:20 PM
Sponsored by:
epicor
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
2:40 PM
Grant Harrell
Host of "Are We There Yet?", MarketScale
Sponsored by:
Are We There Yet?
Pre-Event Webinars
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Pre-Event Webinar 1 Manufacturing Software Panel Discussion
PANELISTS:
Floyd Dickson, Ujigami
Michael Ford, Aegis Software
Dan McKiernan, Epicor Software Corp.
Kyle O’Reilly, VKS
In the factory of the future, software will be every bit as important to product assembly as robots, riveters and nutrunners. In this webinar, we sit down with four leading software suppliers to discuss the digital transformation of assembly lines. We’ll cover the gamut of software technology, from error-proofing individual workstations to analyzing the performance of assembly lines or entire plants.

Whether you’re looking for enterprise resource planning software or paperless work instructions, you’ll find it at The ASSEMBLY Show. At least a dozen of suppliers presses, riveters, and forming machines will be demonstrating their latest products at the show. Before you hit the show floor, tune into this exclusive panel discussion featuring executives from four of the nation’s top suppliers of pressing and forming equipment: BalTec, Orbitform, Promess, and Schmidt.

You will learn:
  • How software can error-proof production.
  • What data to collect, how to collect it, how to analyze it, and how to protect it.
  • Tips and advice for implementing and applying different types of software in your operation.
  • How software can prevent downtime.
  • How to connect machines and tools to an enterprise network.
Sponsored by:
Coval
Schmidt
Starline
Weiss
Zimmer
Thursday, September 7, 2023
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Pre-Event Webinar 2
Presses and Forming Equipment Panel Discussion
PANELISTS:
Anthony Gianettino, BalTec Corp.
John Lytle, Promess Inc.
Jake Sponsler, Orbitform
David Zabrosky, Schmidt Technology Corp.
Assembling one part to another usually requires a third material—screws, adhesive or filler metal—but it doesn’t have to. In fact, sometimes all you have to do is bend, fold or deform a feature on one part to capture the other. As long as one of the parts is made of a malleable material—typically metal—engineers can use a press or riveter to crimp, stake, swage or clinch it to retain the other part.

Alternatively, assemblers can simply insert one part tightly into a hole in another part. The assembly stays in place through friction and the force of the two parts pushing against each other. In most cases, the press fit is strong enough to stand on its own. In others, the joint is augmented by an additional assembly method, such as adhesive bonding or brazing. Many parts are assembled with press fits, including bushings, bearings, pins, studs, rotors, gears, pulleys and shaft collars. These methods are often much less expensive than bonding, welding or threaded fasteners.

Whether you’re looking for a pneumatic assembly press or a servo-driven orbital forming machine, you’ll find it at The ASSEMBLY Show. At least a dozen suppliers presses, riveters and forming machines will be demonstrating their latest products at the show. Before you hit the show floor, tune into this exclusive panel discussion featuring executives from four of the nation’s top suppliers of manufacturing software: BalTec, Orbitform, Promess and Schmidt.

You will learn:
  • The advantages and limitations of manual, pneumatic and servo-driven presses.
  • Tips and advice for designing parts for press-fit assembly.
  • Tips and advice for designing parts for riveting.
  • The differences between orbital and radial forming.
  • How to use sensors to monitor, control and error-proof the pressing and forming process.
Sponsored by:
Coval
Schmidt
Starline
Weiss
Zimmer
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Pre-Event Webinar 3 The Toyota Production System: A Fresh Look
Olivier Larue, Ydatum Operations Management Engineering Inc.

Our society faces unprecedented economic, social and environmental challenges. Management consultant and author Olivier Larue argues that the basis for solving many of these challenges can be found in a surprising place: the Toyota Production System (TPS).

The TPS offers technical and managerial innovations that eliminate many of the financial, socio-economic and environmental contradictions inherent in business. The result is congruency between several factors and agents of our society that have conflicted in the past. Financially, the TPS creates congruency between a company’s income statement and its cash flow statement by pursuing total efficiency over individual efficiency. Economically, the TPS lessens conflicts between economic growth and environmental stewardship by eliminating overburden, unevenness and waste. Sociologically, the TPS reconciles the creative nature of people with the mundane requirements of modern industrial work by re-introducing craftsmanship into industrial operation.

Whether you are new to the TPS or an established practitioner, you will not want to miss this thought-provoking presentation.

Sponsored by:
Coval
Schmidt
Starline
Weiss
Zimmer