Since 1992 the SMEA has held an annual conference. The aim of conference is to educate material scientists in advances in science and technology with an emphasis on those relevant to local industries. In recent years the conference has been held in early summer at Sheffield University and is coincident with the Association's Celebrity Lecture. To ensure that the correct balance is provided lectures are given by invited experts in the relevant fields. The conference lasts 1.5 days and extended abstracts are issued to participants. In the last few years an associated exhibition and has been successfully established. Details of previous conferences are given.

Sheffield Metallurgical and Engineering Association will hold their 20th Annual Conference and Exhibition at Endcliffe Conference Centre, The University of Sheffield on 19-20 June.  

The theme is Optimising the Design and Performance of Engineering Components and will address the material requirements and manufacturing processes suited to specific types of alloy component.   Five sessions will explore the requirements  with respect to strength, size and weight of component plus the role of surface engineering and enabling and emerging technologies. Details of the program and how to register are detailed below:

PROGRAMME – TUESDAY 19th JUNE

8.30     Registration and Coffee    

10.00   CONFERENCE OPENS

           Chairman:      Andy Backhouse.
                               President, Sheffield Metallurgical and Engineering Association 

Opening Address     Manufacturing Challenges in the Nuclear Power Industry.
                               Dr Stephen Court.  

                               Operations Director, Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.

10.45    SESSION I    STRONG COMPONENTS

            Chairman      Mick Steeper. 

                               Manager Technology, Siemens Metal Technologies.
    
1   Perforated Ultra High-Hardness Steel for Appliqué Super High Strength Armour Plate.
     Dr Paul A Davies. 

     Sector Development Manager – Defence Products, Tata Steel.
               
2   Technical Challenges in the Development of Ropes for Deep Sea Applications.
     Jackie Butterfield. 

     EMEA Technical Support Manager, Bridon International Ltd.   
            
3   Developments in Controlling Properties of Critical Components.
     Dr Lee Shaw. Group Technical Director, Firth Rixson.

4   Development and Application of High Strength Rails. 
     Howard Smith, Investigator, Tata Steel RD&T and 
     Ross Walker, Section Manager, Tata Steel Rail Technologies
                 
12.30    Lunch

13.30    SESSION II   LARGE COMPONENTS AND STRUCTURES

            Chairman:     John Wilkinson.  Technical Manager Rods, Tata Steel

1   A Review of Wing Skin Forming Processes – A380 as Big as it Gets?
     Dr Andrew Levers.  Industrial Performance Manager, Airbus Operations Ltd.

2   Developments in Steel Use for Offshore Wind.
     Joe Lee.  Principal Metallurgist, Siemens Metals Technologies.

3   Method without The Madness: A Design led Approach to Large Component Realisation. 
     Mark Tomlinson.  Operations Director, Sheffield Forgemasters Steel.

4   Current Status of Post-combustion CO2(PCC) Materials Technology for Fossil Fuel Power Plant.  
     Jeremy Mansfield.  Senior Engineer. Doosan Babcock.

15.20   Tea and Exhibition 

15.50   SESSION III   LIGHT COMPONENTS
 
            Chairman:   Dr Ruth Hambleton.  
            KTA Business Development Manager. University of Sheffield. 

1   An Optimised Solar Frame Support System. 
     Dr Samir Boudjabeur. 

     Knowledge Group Leader.  Swinden Technology Centre, Tata Steel RD&T.

2   Superplastic Forming of Titanium Components.
     Mauro Pizzingrilli.  Commercial Engineering Manager, RTI Advanced Forming 

3   Ideal Beams – A Case Study in Materials Efficiency in Construction Steels.
     Simon Bainbridge, R&D Engineer, Siemens Metals Technologies 
 
4   Metal Additive Manufacturing at The University of Sheffield.
     Dr Kamran Mumtaz.

     Lecturer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Sheffield. 

17.30   Close

                                         SMEA CELEBRITY LECTURE

17.40   Coach to University.

18.00   Interval Bar Open – Located in University House near The Auditorium

19.00   CELEBRITY LECTURE – THE AUDITORIUM.

           MAKING FUSION TECHNOLOGY A REALITY: TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING CHALLENGES.

           Dr Derek Stork.  Director Technology, Culham Centre for Fusion Energy
  
           Followed by a Buffet Supper – University House.

 21.15   Coach to Endcliffe Conference Centre.

PROGRAMME – WEDNESDAY 20th JUNE

8.45   SESSION IV   FUNCTIONAL SURFACES 

          Chairman:    Mark Tomlinson.  
                            Operations Director, Sheffield Forgemasters Steel.

1   Surface Coatings in Aero Engine Applications.    
     Dr Paul Morrell.  Corporate Specialist Surface Engineering, Rolls-Royce.
  
2   Laser Cladding of Components for Oil and Gas Applications. 
     Chunjun Li. 

     Development Engineer and Craig McKay. Managing Director, Evenort Ltd.

3   Plasma Processing of Wear-Resistant Surfaces for Titanium.
     Dr Adrian Leyland.  Senior Lecturer in Surface Technology. 
     Department of Materials Science & Engineering. The University of Sheffield.

4   Laser Peening Technology.
     Ben Hayes. 

     Regional Sales Manager, Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies.

10.35        Coffee

10.55   SESSION V    ENABLING AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES.

           Chairman:    Dr Martin Jackson. 
                             Department of Materials Science & Engineering, The University of Sheffield. 
          
1   Current and Future Trends in Process Modelling.
     James Farrar. Principal Engineer - Process Modelling, Wilde Analysis Ltd.
  
2   Optimising Design of Engineering Components for Reducing Friction and Wear.
     Professor Robert Dwyer-Joyce.  

     Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Sheffield. 

3   Developing Steel Based Building Integrated Photovoltaic Products.
     Kian Woodward.  Market Development Manager, Tata Steel.

4   More with Less: The Surprising Behaviour of Metal Foams, Sponges and Lattices.
     Dr Russell Goodall. 
     Senior Lecturer, Department of Materials Science & Engineering.The University of Sheffield.
  
Closing Address   IMMPETUS - Institute for Microstructural and Process Engineering:

                            Vision, Achievement and Legacy.
                            Mick Steeper. Chairman Industrial Steering Committee, IMMPETUS

      
13.20   Close Conference

13.25   Lunch

REGISTRATION DETAILS

VENUE

As last year, the Conference will be held at The University of Sheffield, The Edge, 34 Endcliffe Crescent, Sheffield S10 3ED  [telephone +44 (0)114 222 8800]. This is a new complex providing student accommodation, catering and conference facilities within The Endcliffe Village.  Delegates should check-in and register at the main building (The Edge), which houses administration, conference and catering facilities – the main entrance is at the right hand side, directly facing the car park .

TRAVEL

The Endcliffe Village is approximately 2.5 miles from Sheffield Midland Mainline Railway Station and is located in the west of  Sheffield, near Broomhill.  There are good parking facilities but it is essential to obtain a Parking Pass on arrival.

From the M1 motorway (exit 33) follow the City Centre signs along the dual carriageway A630/A57/A61 Parkway. Shortly after entering the 40mph zone, turn right onto the Ring Road at junction 1 - Cutler's Gate. Continue along the Ring Road following signs for "University of Sheffield", "Barnsley A61" and later "Glossop A57", through junctions 10, 9 and 8.  At junction 7 - Shalesmoor - turn left and continue uphill along the Ring Road, still following signs for "University of Sheffield" and "Glossop A57".  Continue along Netherthorpe Road to the next roundabout - junction 6 - University Square - third exit for Western Bank (main University Buildings) - continue on the A57 for approximately 0.6 miles to Fulwood Road (Broomhill).  Instead of taking the right fork (A57 Glossop/Manchester) stay on Fulwood Road.  Take the second left turn after the traffic lights onto Endcliffe Crescent, past Birkdale School to the University of Sheffield, Endcliffe Village, The Edge is on your right.

Note: due to recent road developments satnav information may be incorrect for the Ring Road.  Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk , useful links; visitors; maps & travel advice and download the Central Sheffield Map.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is in the newly completed Endcliffe Village, single student rooms with en-suite WC and shower and coffee/tea making facilities available with full English Breakfast at £46.00 + VAT.  It is expected that most delegates will require accommodation on Tuesday 19th June.  However accommodation is also available on Monday 18th June and Wednesday 20th June – please indicate your requirements on the registration form. There will be coach transfers to The Auditorium for those attending the Celebrity Lecture.

CELEBRITY LECTURE – Tuesday 19th June

Dr Derek Stork.  Director Technology, Culham Centre for Fusion Energy will present the SMEA Celebrity Lecture at 7.00 pm on the 19th June in The Auditorium, Students Union, University of Sheffield.  His lecture  ‘Making Fusion Technology a Reality: Technology and Engineering Challenges’ will explore the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) Project which is a multinational, 30 year programme to build and operate a reactor in France.  The Interval Bar, in University Students Union, will be open at 5.45 pm.  Following the lecture there will be a Buffet Supper.  There is no charge for the evening, but it is essential that you reserve a place.  Please indicate your requirements on the Registration Form.   You may bring a guest.

REGISTRATION

Early Registration is essential, as there are a limited number of places. Please use the form that is an attachment and can be found at the bottom of this article.

The fee for the conference is £200.00 + VAT and includes morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea.  Delegates will receive an authors’ summary of the papers.  If you are unable to attend both days or have a specific interest, you can register for one day at £140.00 + VAT. There is a special delegate rate of £140.00 + VAT for students in full time education.

PLEASE NOTE:  to minimise administration costs, your registration will not be acknowledged unless specifically requested.  All information and documentation will be available at the Registration Desk.

EXHIBITION

There will be a small exhibition for producers, plant and equipment manufacturers and companies providing services.  The exhibition will be next to the Conference Room and Bar/Coffee Lounge.  Time has been allocated on the Tuesday afternoon to ensure that delegates have opportunity to view exhibits in detail. Areas of approximately 6 sq.metres (10 x 6 feet) are available at £400 + VAT.   Tables, chairs and mains electricity are provided.   Please let us know your requirements as soon as possible.

FEES

Please complete the enclosed registration form and return it with a cheque (drawn on a UK bank) for the correct amount, payable to SMEA Events Limited.  Tax invoices quoting SMEA Events Limited VAT Registration No. 600 2323 15 will be issued on request.  If you pay via a non-UK bank, there is an additional fee of £10.00 to cover bank clearance charges.

Payment may be made by direct bank transfer to the account of SMEA Events Limited at HSBC Bank, Fargate, Sheffield.  Sorting Code 40-41-13.  Account No: 61622617 – please ensure that transaction charges are to your account.  Overseas remittances should be made to International Bank Account:  GB84MIDL40411361622617 Bank Identifier: MIDLGB2113C

Please fax a copy of the transaction document to +44(0)114 263 0204.

CANCELLATION AND GENERAL CONDITIONS

Payment must be received by the date of the Conference, otherwise admittance cannot be granted.  Individuals and companies are responsible for the safety of personal belongings and exhibition material and are advised that they should be suitably insured.  In the event of cancellation of registration on or before Monday 11th June 2012, fees will be refunded in full.  It is regretted that after the 11th June, there will be no refunds, but a company may arrange for an alternative person to attend.

The Closing Date for registration is Monday 11 June 2012

For further information please contact Dr Ken Ridal
Tel No:  0114 230 5650    Fax:  0114 263 0204    E-mail: kenridal@stonedelf.fsnet.co.uk