Dear CAST Division Members,

CAST Chairman Dr. Mahmoud El-Halwagi has suggested that CAST Division members would be interested to know about a new AIChE initiative.

AIChE is seeking to serve the manufacturing and manufacturing-related technology communities better.  One way we’re doing this is by working with the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition (SMLC).  The following announcement describes the next meeting of SMLC, which will take place at the AIChE Annual Meeting in Minneapolis on Thursday, October 20th. 

Whether or not you are able to attend this meeting, please let AIChE know if you are interested in this topic and feel free to share your thoughts about what else AIChE should be doing, by contacting AIChE Director of CCPS and Manufacturing, Scott Berger ([log in to unmask], 646-495-1370). 

The information about the meeting follows.  Thanks in advance for your interest.

Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition (SMLC) to Hold Meeting on

Thursday, October 20, 2011, in Minneapolis, MN

New Participants Welcome!

        It has been more than one year since 60 leading industrial and academic thinkers on advanced manufacturing met as the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Coalition (SMLC) in Washington, DC.    The resulting report published by the U.S. Department of Energy on June 24, 2011, has already generated a lot of attention, especially since the Obama Administration announced its $500 million initiative on advanced manufacturing in June.  The SMLC steering committee led by Dr. Jim Davis of UCLA has carried out a number of actions to follow up on the recommendations of the 2010 workshop and respond to the new Administration initiative, which includes major proposals to the Department of Defense to develop a new software platform for manufacturing and Department of Energy to apply smart manufacturing technology to save energy in two industry test beds.

        The SMLC leadership believes it is time to bring members of the Coalition together for a meeting to review the activities and accomplishments of the past year, make plans for the immediate future, and invite new leaders to participate.  Of course we are always interested in hearing from our stakeholders on future directions and opportunities.  Therefore, we have arranged with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) to host a one-day meeting in Minneapolis, MN on Thursday, October 20th during the AIChE Annual Meeting  An informative program will be developed during the next month, which includes presentations on the platform (ecosystem) for smart manufacturing, an energy “dashboard,” vendor cooperative efforts, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) planned advanced manufacturing program, and other topics. 

Please SAVE THE DATE and RSVP to Heather Yuengling ([log in to unmask]).  The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 20th, 8am-4pm at the Hilton, Symphony II room.  In an effort to efficiently register everyone, you will now be able to pre-register for the meeting.  To pre-register, attendees should call 1-800-242-4363.  Pre-registrants will receive an email with a barcode. You can then scan the barcode at the Pre-Registrant Counter at the meeting in Minneapolis to pick up your badge. If you prefer, you may register at the meeting.

To Register, go to the AIChE Annual Meeting registration desk on Wednesday, October 19th or Thursday October 20th to pay the meeting participation fee of $100.  While you will not need to register for the AIChE Annual meeting (October 16th – 21st), you are encouraged to do so, because a number of relevant topics will be addressed through the week.  Please see www.aiche.org/annual for more information. 

For information about the AIChE Annual Meeting, including venue and hotel options, please visit www.aiche.org/annual.

Scott Berger

Executive Director - CCPS

Director - Manufacturing

AIChE

p: +1.646.495.1370   m: +1.609.462.5057  e: [log in to unmask]

The Global Home for Chemical Engineers

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