PDM 2010 Line Up Announced

The Plastics Design and Moulding Exhibition and Conference (PDM) has announced details of its conference programme, which will include keynote addresses from Sir Richard Needham, international and commercial director at Dyson, Professor Martin Darbyshire, design guru and CEO of Tangerine and Professor Lord Bhattacharyya founder and director of WMG.

The must-attend event of 2010 for anyone involved in the design and production of plastics products, the PDM10 conference and exhibition takes place at the Telford International Centre from 18 to 20 May 2010 and visitors can now register online for free entry at: www.pdmevent.com .

Other conference sessions expected to attract large numbers of delegates include sessions on New Product Development and Inside the Dragon’s Den, a case study from the popular TV show looking at how to turn good plastics innovations ideas into successful business propositions. There will also be Design in Detail sessions with detailed case studies on plastics design and moulding of consumer products, packaging and plastic electronics.
“New Knowledge, New Business is the underlying theme of the PDM10 event and we have strengthened the conference programme this year as part of a package of measures that will ensure our exhibitors and visitors can fully realise this theme,” said Steve Crowhurst, event director. “In particular our keynote speakers’ outstanding reputations and depth of knowledge of some of the biggest issues facing the UK plastics industry will deliver invaluable insights to any design and moulding professional s attending the three-day conference.”

Sir Richard Needham, international and commercial director at Dyson will open the conference on Tuesday 18th May with his keynote to the event’s Moulding Business Debate. He will address how to compete effectively in a global market, drawing on his extensive experience at Dyson, where he headed up the company’s move to manufacture in China.

Professor Martin Darbyshire, CEO of the internationally renowned design consultancy Tangerine will lead the debate on Sustainable Product Design on Wednesday 19th May. He will highlight the growing importance of sustainability and how its integration into the product design process offers increased opportunities for plastics designers. He will also examine the crucial role sustainable product design will have in shaping the behaviour of tomorrow’s consumer s to live in a more resource-friendly manner.

Lord Bhattacharyya, founder and director of the internationally renowned WMG (formerly Warwick Manufacturing Group), is to be keynote speaker at the Innovations Debate on the event’s final day, Thursday 20th May. Drawing on his worldwide experiences, he will advocate that continuous change and innovation is essential for UK plastics design and manufacture to maintain competitiveness on a global stage. He will use the technological successes of Warwick Manufacturing Group by way of illustration.

New business and networking opportunities abound at the exhibition where visitors can meet representatives from every part of the UK plastics design and moulding community. Exhibitors include suppliers of injection moulding machinery, rotational moulding machinery, blow moulding machinery and ancillary equipment as well as automation companies, mouldmakers, polymer producers, compounders, polymer distributors, masterbatch and additive suppliers, software companies, materials testing specialists, moulders, rapid prototyping companies, design companies and other industry services.

An innovation for PDM10 will see the conference arena located for the first time within the exhibition hall for easier access and interchange between conference and exhibition. The International Centre, Telford is a purpose built exhibition and conference venue situated 15 minutes from the M6 motorway. If you choose to travel by train you can take advantage of a direct service between London Marylebone and Telford. Visit www.pdmevent.com for full travel information and to register to attend.

PDM10 CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

Tuesday 18 May 2010

10.30 – 11.30 The Moulding Business Debate - Keynote presentation: Sir Richard Needham, International & Commercial Director, Dyson.
This popular forum that always gets PDM off to a flying start will involve leaders from the plastics industry in open discussion about the challenges they face. This year our 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&A Moulding is acknowledged as the UK’s leading 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
The Design in Detail sessions each afternoon give a platform to designers to tell the stories behind a piece of work. These case studies provide insights into the concept-to-production chain, covering materials, manufacturing and more.

Wednesday 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 leading 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, 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 exciting 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 their customers, for example gas assisted moulding. Our 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 new challenges they face, for example differentiation, smart packaging, light weighting with plastics.

- ENDS -