18 May 2010

10.30-11.30      The Moulding Business Debate - Keynote presentation: Sir Richard Needham, International  Commercial Director, Dyson
This popular forum will involve leaders from the plastics industry in open discussion about the challenges they face. The panel will discuss the emerging trend for OEMs to bring back plastics manufacturing from Asia to the UK.

11.45-12.45      Inside the Dragon’s Den – Investing in Ideas
Plastic moulders have been involved in some of the most successful products pitched to BBC TV’s tough investors. Companies will discuss how manufacturers can help inventors turn a good idea into reality, and how the moulders in turn can benefit from realising the potential of a viable product.

13.30-14.30      Process Optimisation
John Goff of G Moulding is a UK expert on getting the utmost performance from injection moulding technology. In this hands-on session he will show injection moulders techniques for maximising the capabilities of shopfloor skills and machinery.

14.45-15.30      Design in Detail – Consumer Products
These sessions each afternoon give a platform to designers to tell the stories behind a piece of work. The case studies provide insights into the concept-to-production chain, covering materials, manufacturing and more.

19 May 2010

10.30-11.30      The Design Debate - Keynote presentation: Prof Martin Darbyshire, CEO, Tangerine
What does sustainability mean in terms of product design? Panelists from UK design consultancies will discuss consumer demands, the problems that plastics can help solve, and how designers can be at the forefront of the sustainability debate.

11.45-12.45      Plastics in Medical Devices
A sector that has remained buoyant through the recession is the high growth market for medical devices. Sharing their insights into this demanding area of product development will be leading UK medical design groups.

13.30-14.30      New Product Development
Product development times are speeding up and those companies at the sharp end – designers, prototypers and toolmakers – are learning to work faster. This session will focus on the challenges to be overcome and the tools used to meet the client’s expectations.

14.45-15.30      Design in Detail – Plastic Electronics
It’s a brave new world where plastic substrates allow screens to be flexible and ultra-thin. This forward-thinking presentation will explore product design ideas that could emerge in this new market.

Thursday 20 May 2010

10.30-11.30      The Technology and Innovation Debate - Keynote presentation: Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, Director, WMG
Innovation is a key weapon for UK manufacturers in the global marketplace. Our expert panel will discuss what manufacturers need to do to stay ahead of competitors, referring to technologies emerging from commercial and academic institutions that will shape the industry of tomorrow.

11.45-12.45      Advanced Processing Workshop
Injection moulders can make use of a range of advanced processes that add value for customers, for example gas assisted moulding. These two presentations will cover key moulding technologies and how they are applied in real projects.

13.30-14.15      Design in Detail – Packaging
Designers are adept at crafting the emotional response to goods through the aesthetics of a pack. This session will use case studies to examine the work of packaging designers and the new challenges they face, for example differentiation, smart packaging, light weighting with plastics.