What You Need to Know About Fast PD--and Moldmaking, Too

Nowadays, trade shows and conferences are not necessarily on the top of your list of things to do. Economic limitations certainly inhibit even the thought of such things. But arguably, if there is value to be realized and you don’t avail yourself of the opportunity to learn about things that can help your organization improve its operations and output, then that is a bigger cost to your organization than saving a few bucks by not attending because your competitors might.

Presumably, you find some value in Time Compression, whether you read it in the print version or at timecompression.com And you are undoubtedly the kind of person who is on the alert for the ways and means to accelerate product development. So Time Compression, along with our sister publication MoldMaking Technology, and European technical event organizer DEMAT, have put together a must-attend event—as in you really must attend it. Really.

It’s called “PDx/amerimold,” and is being held May 11 to 13 at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati.

Let’s break that down.

“PDx” refers to “product development experience.” Yes, there is an exposition floor full of the latest equipment, systems, materials, and software. But in addition, there are technical sessions and networking events that are built in, as well as tours of fast and innovative manufacturing operations, such that it goes well beyond just another tradeshow.

The “amerimold” part of the title references two things. One is that the long-running MoldMaking Expo is part of this, but it has been expanded through a partnership with the German organization DEMAT GmbH (demat.com), which puts on events in venues including Russia, China, Germany, India, and elsewhere. This is the first in the Americas.

Other organizations participating are GE Aviation, Boeing, Eureka! Ranch, and the University of Cincinnati’s College for Design, Art, Architecture and Planning.
There will be sessions on product development, moldmaking, and industrial design.

There will be keynotes by Doug Hall (timecompression.com/articles/creativity-the-system), founder of the Eureka! Ranch and self-professed “Professional Inventor, Corporate Rebel & Small Business Advocate,” Mark Bringle, of the legendary Joe Gibbs Racing organization, and Richard Gresens (autofieldguide.com/columns/0608profile.html), principle designer in Whirlpool’s Global Consumer Design Group.

There is another aspect to this. It’s that of community. Companies that try to operate in an isolated environment are destined to fail. Companies—and, more to the point, the individuals who constitute them—need to be part of a larger structure, or community, in order to garner the ideas and innovations that can help with success.

Isolation is not an option.

With this inaugural event, we are hoping to build community. But that depends on
you.

PDx/Amerimold: Fast Facts

When: Tuesday, May 11, 2010: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
             Wednesday, May 12, 2010: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
             Thursday, May 13, 2010: 9:00 am - 12 pm
(Note: MoldMaking Technology magazine’s conference starts May 11@ 9 am)
Where:     Duke EnergyCenter, Cincinnati (duke-energycenter.com)
How:     Get registered and full details @ pdx-amerimold.com