The world’s forging industry will reassemble in Cleveland, May 21-23 for the biannual gathering known as Forge Fair – a combination of research, design, and expertise centering on the many aspects of forging process technology.
The Forging Industry Association has been bringing forgers and their equipment suppliers together for over four decades, to discuss technology and see the the latest production capabilities, and Forge Fair 2019 will present over 160 exhibitors of equipment, supplies, and process capabilities covering forging materials, heating and handling technologies, open-die and impression-die forging, ring rolling, and simulation and control software, among various other products and services.
The exhibits at Forge Fair 2019 will include forging machinery and equipment, operating models, and AV demonstrations. Technical experts will be available to address inquiries and propose new solutions to forging challenges.
In addition to the exhibition, Forge Fair 2019 also will incorporate a three-day schedule of presentations on recent forging technology research and development.
“Forge Fair is North America’s largest event dedicated exclusively to the forging industry,” according to FIA. It forecasts more than 1,650 forging professionals to attend the event from around the world, not only to learn about new products and make purchasing decisions, but to network with together for future business opportunities.
The three-day schedule of events is organized to allow attendees to maximize their learning and networking opportunities. Exhibit hours are set to ensure attendees and exhibitors are available for technical sessions, with meals and receptions planned each day.
Over the three-day program, nearly 70 technical presentations have been planned during selected morning and afternoon session periods. The presentations are organized topically, so that attendees can concentrate their interests on specific subjects: Presses and Hammers; Heating; Tooling and Materials; Facilities and Processes; Software Simulation; and Automation.
The schedule also includes several keynote presentations by speakers to engage manufacturers of various interests. The first scheduled speaker, on Tuesday, May 21 at 10:00 am, will be Jeremy Bout, the founder and host of Edge Factor — a membership-based library of media and interactive resources used to inspire the next generation of Career Technical Education and advanced manufacturing students. Edge Factor provides regional solutions to national workforce development challenges, and empowers community stakeholders with tools to inspire students to pursue careers, reach parents and build bridges between industry and education.
A Wednesday, May 22 (8:00 a.m.) presentation will be given by Dr. Amy Elliott, an additive manufacturing expert. Her doctoral research focused on the effects of quantum dot nanoparticles on the deposition and solidification of inkjet-deposited photopolymers. Elliott has participated in vehicle building competitions, such as Baja SAE and the NASA Moonbuggy Race, and she led the design and fabrication of the DreamVendor, the world’s first 3D-printing vending machine. At the Oak Ridge National Lab’s (ORNL) Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF), she consults with industry from around the world on the strategic applications of AM, and she researches new material systems in ceramics and metals. Her team also works to develop new binders and new methods for maintaining shapes during sintering of binder-jet printed parts printed.
Also presenting on Wednesday, May 22, will be Jeff Klingerman, senior director - Marketing at ATI Specialty Materials; and Jon D. Tirpak, professional engineer and ASM International fellow, and a long-time supporter of the U.S. forging industry. Tirpak also is the past director of the Forging Industry Association – Dept. of Defense Manufacturing Consortium, which he helped form in 1999 and led as executive director from 2001 to 2017.
Finally, a Thursday, May 23 at 8:00 a.m., presentation will be given by Rocky Bleier. The Vietnam War veteran and four-time Super Bowl champion is remember for his determination, teamwork, and leadership, having overcome severe combat injuries to regain his position as running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bleier was the recipient of the 2015 Eagle Rare Life Heroism Award for his incredible drive and inspirational story.
Learn more and register to attend at www.forging.org/forge-fair-2019
