Materials Processing Institute Sponsors INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO BULK METAL FORMING Conference - 12th / 13th April 2016

This Conference is being organised on behalf of the Bulk Metal Forming Committee of IOM3 and is accredited for Professional Development.

Novel manufacturing technologies (such as 3D printing and robotics) are increasingly entering the public imagination. Several of them are already changing the way that metal components are made. Some (for example additive manufacturing) might directly replace conventional metal forming processes, while others have the potential toÂ augment them.Â Implementation barriers such as limited piece weight and sensitivity to feedstock quality are being challenged by research, and the development of supporting engineering infrastructures (including design tools, machine programming, testing and certification methods and simulation and modelling) is accelerating.

This conferenceÂ will further examine the potential for the manufacturing of finished and semi-finished products that are currently obtained from traditional bulk metal forming processes (eg rolling, forging). Technical aspects and economics in terms of flexibility, yield and near net shape will be addressed. Additionally, the combination of the new techniques with traditional bulk metal forming processes to form improved hybrid processes will be discussed.

Potential alternative processes may include:

Additive Manufacturing Processes, including: Additive Layer, Powder Jetting, Selective Melting, Wire-fed Variants

Enhanced Rolling, Drawing and Forging Processes, including: Rotary Forging, Flexible Forming, Flow Forming, Cladding, Vacuum/Isothermal Forging

Promotion of Wrought Properties in Near Net Shape Manufacturing

Hybrid Forming Processes

This conference is aimed at both academic and industrial delegates with an interest in expanding their knowledge and who are seeking to identify practical applications of the new technology. International as well as UK participation is welcome. The seminar aims to provide a meeting ground for researchers and manufacturers for their mutual benefit.