Multiple advanced engineering and technology sectors within the UK’s advanced engineering and high value manufacturing community converged in record numbers this month at Advanced Engineering UK 2014, which took place from 11-12 November at the NEC Birmingham.

The event comprised the Aero Engineering Show 2014, Composites Engineering Show 2014, Automotive Engineering Show 2014, Auto Electronics 2014 and the Performance Metals Engineering 2014, added to the Advanced Engineering UK group of events, as a response to the increasing demands required from the metals sector.

Largest annual event

Boasting a record total attendance of approximately 13,000 from all parts of the advanced engineering supply chain, this year’s Advanced Engineering UK group of events continued its upward spiral, consolidating its position as the UK’s largest annual event serving the advanced engineering sector.

“Yet again we have seen the immense value of bringing together multiple high value sectors into a dynamic integrated environment where these interlinked industry sectors can both advance their own innovation, technology, industry sourcing and supply chain priorities, as well as have the benefit of both planned and spontaneous interaction with the wider community of adjacent groups,” commented Ian Stone, Managing Director of show organisers UK Tech Events.

Record line-up

The 2014 show floor this year played host to more than 700 specialist exhibiting companies and organisations spanning the five interlinked show zones, showcasing a world class line up of engineering technology, innovation, plant, equipment, services, processes, capability, applications, partners and more.

Hosted across six parallel show-floor based auditoria, this year’s open conference programme was again outstandingly in demand. More than 240 free to attend expert speakers offered their insight into the latest research, industry case studies, and latest technology and process innovations.

Again the open conference programme, supported with a record level of contributions from leading industry associations, combined dedicated auditoriums for sector – specific content such as aero engineering, automotive engineering , composites engineering, auto electronics and performance metals engineering, as well as hosting a cross-auditorium varied programme of feature sessions embracing wider advanced engineering, technology, innovation and business themes.

Industry Awards

The Advanced Engineering UK event provided a platform to showcase key industry award accomplishments across the show spectrum. On the first day, winners of this year’s Composites UK Innovation of the year Awards featured in a special open session.

New for 2014 was the feature session, hosted by Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) showcasing the five shortlisted nominees for the 2014 SMMT’s Award for Automotive Innovation. The session featured some breakthrough technology, such as Jaguar Land Rover’s Ingenium Engine, Hybrid power shifting automated manual transmission technology from Vocis, Flybrid KERS technology from Torotrak, and more.

Future Enablers

New for 2014 was the inclusion of a hugely popular Future Enablers show floor feature zone, curated by The KTN (Knowledge Transfer Network), providing an opportunity for visitors to get up close to a cross section of featured physical examples and demonstrators showcasing the potential of printable electronics, graphene and new additive manufacturing technologies.

Two days of additional supporting Future Enablers open conference presentations added to the opportunity for 2014 visitors to take away ideas and insight around these paradigm-shifting new technologies.

www.advancedengineeringuk.com