2019 Manufacturing Forum and Industry Open House

The Faculty of Engineering and the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI) at McMaster University invite you to attend the 7th Annual Manufacturing Forum and Industry Open House on Thursday, May 2, 2019.

Join us to hear experts speak on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Manufacturing and to tour multiple materials and manufacturing labs at McMaster University.

About

Innovation Through Collaboration

One of Canada’s largest research institutes invites industry representatives, government officials and academics to the 7th Annual Manufacturing Forum and Industry Open House.

Hosted by the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute, the full day event annually attracts hundreds of attendees. Last year, more than 400 people came to the event, including industry professionals from around the world.

“What sets the MMRI apart from other research institutes is the ability to directly link our academic research to benefit industry,” says Stephen Veldhuis, Professor and Director of MMRI. “The Manufacturing Forum is an opportunity to learn about and discuss emerging research trends. The Industry Open House is an opportunity for our faculty members and students to showcase our top-notch facilities and their innovative research to industry professionals, and share the improvements that we’ve been able to make with our industry partners.”

The main topic of the day will be Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Manufacturing, an emerging industry trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing, as well as tours to multiple research facilities at McMaster University.

McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI) is a 15,000-sq.-ft. facility located at McMaster University. Since 2001, the MMRI has been combining research excellence with state-of-the-art equipment needed to meet the sophisticated needs of leading manufacturers. From technical problem solving in metal manufacturing processes to helping partners establish world class productivity and capability, the MMRI provides partners with R&D capability not available from any other sources.

The McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute, one of Canada’s largest research institutes, hosted the 2018 McMaster Manufacturing Forum on May 9, 2018. The full day event brought out over 400 total attendees, including industry professionals from around the world.

Video:

Agenda

8:00-9:00 Registration (Light Continental Breakfast) - MIP Atrium

MC - Jayson Myers - CEO, NGen Canada

9:00-9:15 Official Welcome - MIP Conference Room

Keynote - MIP Conference Room

9:15-10:00 Cameron Schuler, Chief Commercialization Officer & Vice President, Industry Innovation at the Vector Institute

"Assembling the Future"

10:00-10:15 Networking Break - MIP Atrium

Expert Panel - MIP Conference Room

10:15-12:00 Applying AI to Manufacturing

12:00-12:05 Stephen Veldhuis, Professor and Director (MMRI), Instructions for the Industry Open House which follows

12:00-1:00 Networking luncheon (Walk or bus to events on Campus or at MIP)

1:00-5:00 7^th Annual Industry Open House

Complimentary parking and shuttle between event sites

Speakers

Keynote Speaker - Cameron Schuler

Cameron Schuler is the Chief Commercialization Officer & Vice President, Industry Innovation at the Vector Institute. He is the former Executive Director of Amii (amii.ca), where, for 8 years, he led one of the top-ranked Machine Learning and AI groups in the world. Cameron’s multifaceted career has covered finance, business & product development, consumer products, IT and general management from start-ups to mature companies. His industry experience includes Alternative Energy, Banking, Consumer Products, Information Technology (Consumer and Enterprise), Investment Sales and Trading, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Medical Devices, Oil & Gas, and Oil & Gas Services. Roles have included COO, CFO, President and CEO and he was COO & CFO of a food manufacturer whose products lead to sales of over 250 million units.

He has founded numerous start-up companies (including medical devices as well as computer software & hardware). Cameron is Chair & Co-founder of VibeDx Diagnostic Corp., was Managing Director & Co-Founder of Schuler Law Group, a boutique tax planning law firm and spent 8 years in investment sales & trading. In addition to being an A100 Member (thea100.org), he attained an MBA from Queen’s University and is a Certified Investment Manager and Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute.

Abstract - Assembling the Future

Artificial Intelligence has worked its way into an ever-growing number of global industries. This shift in action brings about an array of difficult but necessary questions, most notably: Where does AI fit in the manufacturing landscape? While the answer may not be defined today, we look forward to a not-so-distant future in which the commercialization of machine learning methods will be a cornerstone of production. Arriving there is a challenge, and will continuously depend upon the ability to recruit top-talent and collaborate between industry partners and stakeholders.

MC - Jayson Myers

Jayson Myers, CEO NGen Canada

Jayson is an award-winning business economist specializing in industrial and technological change and is widely recognized as an influential policy advocate in Canada. He is an advisor to both private and public sector leaders and has counselled Canadian prime ministers and premiers as well as senior corporate executives and policymakers around the world.

Jayson has more than 25 years’ experience building alliances among businesses, academic institutions, as well as community, labour, and advocacy organizations. Between 2007 and 2016, he served as President & CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, Canada’s largest industry and trade association. He was also the founding Chair of the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition, Vice Chair of Canada’s National Roundtable on Skills, and Vice Chair of the Ontario and Great Lakes Manufacturing Councils.

Jayson studied at Queen’s University and the University of British Columbia in Canada, as well as at the London School of Economics and Oxford University in the United Kingdom. He has held appointments as a Research Fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford, and as a lecturer in politics, economics, and international studies at both Oxford and the University of Warwick.

Panelists

Pieter-Jan Provoost, Director & Business Group Leader, Agoria: European Perspective on Innovation

“Energy”, “International” and “Business ecosystems” are the keywords that characterize Pieter-Jan “PJ” Provoost’s professional career. Since 2007, when PJ joined Agoria (the federation for the Belgian technology industry), he has been leading and developing an oil, gas & energy focused international business club. In 2016, he was appointed to coach Agoria’s business development team, consisting of 11 fantastic individuals. In this new role he also helped to encourage technology start & scale ups to pursue international business development.

An avid reader and music lover, PJ is also a proud promotor of the MyMachine Global Foundation (http://mymachine-global.org/), an extraordinary example of implementing and promoting creativity and entrepreneurship in education.

Shalabh Bakshi, Director Digital Enterprise, Siemens Canada: Digital Enterprise

As Director of Digital Enterprise at Siemens Canada, Shalabh Bakshi is responsible for Canadian customers to realize their “Digital Enterprise” by supporting them with roadmaps and technological solutions that will drive the digital transformation within their organizations. In addition, he leads MindSphere; Siemens open, cloud-based IoT operating system.

In addition to being an Electronics & Communication Engineer, Mr. Bakshi is also a Masters in International Business from University of Birmingham, UK. He spends his free time mentoring youngsters on strategy and technology projects.

Evert Nieboer, Manager, Finishing Automation Systems, ArcelorMittal Dofasco: Artificial Intelligence at ArcelorMittal Dofasco GP

Evert Nieboer is the Manager of Finishing Automation Systems at ArcelorMittal Dofasco in Hamilton, Ontario, which is part of the world’s largest steel and mining company. Evert has been applying software to the automation of manufacturing processes at Dofasco for 32 years and oversees a large team that supports software automation systems across the many steel finishing process areas. Evert has a passion for continuous improvement and innovation and is currently supporting the growth of autonomous logistics equipment at Dofasco.

Gina Succi, Executive Vice President, Westhill Innovation Inc.: SME perspective and advanced materials / manufacturing requirements

Gina Succi’s career in engineering spans three decades, in roles from design engineer to co – founder and Executive Vice President of Westhill Innovation Inc. For over 20 years, her main career interest has been on product development and commercialization, in four vastly different market sectors including steelmaking, logistics, mining and construction. She was born and grew up in Hamilton ON. She is a graduate of Civil Engineering from McMaster University. She is passionate about developing technologies that are uniquely made in Canada. Gina is an inventor with three current patents, four patents-pending and more in the making. She enjoys mentoring aspiring engineers and tradespeople. She is a wife, mom, daughter and sister and in her spare time enjoys mountain-biking and the creative arts.

Simon Drexler, Director LMT Products, ATS Automation: Supporting AI through integration of assets: Data collection and Action

Simon Drexler is the director of the Linear Motion Technologies (LMT) group at ATS Automation in Cambridge Ontario. With over 12 years’ experience in industrial automation innovation, Simon has earned himself a spot on Plant Magazine’s “Top 40 Engineering Leaders Under 40,” and was named Supply & Demand Chain Executive Magazine’s “Pro to Know.” Along with leading the LMT group, Simon currently sits on the Board of Advisors for Canadian Manufacturers and Explorers.

Industry Open House

The 7th Annual Open House is an opportunity for industry to visit multiple research locations within McMaster. Tour multiple Materials & Advanced Manufacturing labs, including material and process development, material characterization, CAD/CAM, machining, bulk and sheet metal forming, polymer processing, metrology, powertrain test facilities and student projects.

McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI)

The MMRI is one of the largest university based manufacturing research institutes in Canada, supporting academic research and education programs spanning many manufacturing processes. The institute’s core focus is on enhancing productivity, quality and product/process innovation while helping companies reduce cost.

Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy

The Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy (CCEM) provides world-class electron microscopy capabilities and expertise to Canadian researchers and industry working in a broad range of fields. Our vision is to be one of the leading electron microscopy facilities in the world for the quality of the scientific research, to be the go-to provider of electron microscopy services to Canadian industry and to play a leading role in promoting interactions amongst researchers in various fields nationally and internationally.

McMaster Automotive Resource Centre

The McMaster Automotive Resource Centre is one of Canada’s leading research facilities in electric and hybrid vehicles where researchers, students and industry professionals are working to resolve the issues facing the automotive industry. Together, these teams of engineers, scientists, social scientists and their students are developing sustainable solutions for the industry including the development of hybrid and electric powertrains, building highly efficient and cost-effective powertrain components and identifying light materials to make cars more fuel efficient.

Centre for Advanced Nuclear Systems

The Centre for Advanced Nuclear Systems (CANS) is a regional research centre unlike any other at a university worldwide. The Centre provides a unique world-class capability to advance research in three focus areas: nuclear materials, nuclear safety thermalhydaulic behavior, and health physics. CANS is comprised of four primary facilities: Post Irradiation Examination of Nuclear Materials, Nuclear Materials Characterization Facility, Thermal Testing Facility and Health Physics Dose Response Facility.

Centre for Emerging Device Technologies (CEDT)

The Centre for Emerging Device Technologies (CEDT) is an organization that facilitates study of the optical, electrical, mechanical, and biological properties of semiconductors and related materials and promotes the development of technology based on these materials.

Robotics and Manufacturing Automation Laboratory (RMAL)

The RMAL is an extensively equipped research facility featuring collaborative robot arms, vision-guided robots, machine learning applications in robotics, machine vision systems, PC based open-architecture control systems, custom robotic hands and grippers, and a large selection of sensors and actuators for building prototype robotic systems.

CanmetMATERIALS

CanmetMATERIALS is Canada's principal federal research and development laboratory for metals research, including materials for use in automotive applications; clean energy, including power generation; major infrastructure such as pipelines; defence applications, including armour and shipbuilding; and emerging materials.

Centre for Automotive Materials and Corrosion (CAMC)

CAMC's research focuses on materials engineering including themes like light-weight material systems, material degradation and protection, and joining issues as they apply to automotive material innovations. With a wide range of instruments and capabilities, CAMC is also able to tackle challenges facing industries like pipelines, sensors, and biomaterials.

SEPT Learning Factory for Industry 4.0 Education & Research

SEPT Learning Factory, a first of its kind in Canada, is a hands-on facility for students to develop their knowledge & skills for the upcoming evolving manufacturing environments as presented in the Industry 4.0 vision. The facility is equipped with Cyber-Physical Systems, IoT, IIoT, and Artificial Intelligent agent examples and has 3D Metal Printers (Additive Manufacturing), Composite Material 3D Printers, 5Axis CNC Machine, Injection Molding, Laser Cutter, Collaborative Robots, Delta Robots, CMM, RFID Based Kanban System, Mobile Intelligent Robot, AGVs, PCB Assembly Station and above all IT/OT integrated system.

B. Tech Auto Labs

Visitors to the B. Tech Auto Labs will be able to see the manufacturing lab equipped with Prototyping Equipment, CNC Machines, 3D Printers, Automotive Engines, Engine Performance Test Stations, Fluid Mechanics, Vibration Measurement Stations, Hybrid & Electric Vehicles, and a B.Tech Electrical Car designed and built by the students.

Event Information

The Manufacturing Forum events will take place at the McMaster Innovation Park at 175 Longwood Road South in Hamilton. Open House events will take place at MIP and at McMaster University's main campus. For detailed directions, click here.

Complimentary parking is provided at MIP, and shuttle buses will be running continuously between event sites.