All set for recordbreaking year

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics returns to FIVE, Farnborough on 13th and 14th February, promising an even broader selection of products and technologies

As industrial enterprises become more advanced and the business of manufacturing more technical, knowledge of the latest and best within each field of interest is essential. This, of course, is the raison d'être of magazines such as IP&E; and perhaps also the reason why the Southern Manufacturing & Electronics Show continues to grow in popularity.

This year looks like being another recordbreaking year, with exhibitor numbers hitting a high of around 750 and the purposebuilt venue expanded to the size of three football pitches.

Bigger, and busier certainly, but its 'something-foreveryone' formula remains the same.

Southern Manufacturing takes in the entire spectrum of engineering design and production, encompassing everything from the humblest circlip to the most sophisticated machine tool. Virtually every kind of industrial activity is represented - and it's possible to see it all in one day or less.

The show has evolved far beyond the regional focus suggested by the name, with exhibitors now coming from every corner of the UK and continental Europe. Given the opportunity to see some of Europe's biggest names, with free entry, easy access and plentiful free parking, it's not hard to see why more visitors than ever are expected this year.

Southern Manufacturing is now very much on the marketing radar of some of the world's leading industrial equipment manufacturers. Amada Machine Tools, Yamazaki Mazak, Hurco, Haas, CMZ, igus, Renishaw, Nikon, Blundell Production Equipment, EAO, Fanuc - the list is extensive. Joining the show for the first time in 2013 will be Kawasaki Robotics, Salvagnini, MYDATA Automation, Yamaha Motor IM and Blakell Europlacer. Other new exhibitors include TPS Fronius, MecWash, FilterMist, and Eclipse Magnetics.

Amphenol Connectors appears for the first time, along with contact-less ruggedised position sensors from Active Sensors and specialist pumps from Siebec UK. Henrob Direct showcases its self-piercing riveting system. Vigilance ESP will be exhibiting its plant safety process solutions, while Easypack will demonstrate its novel recycled paper packaging machinery. These are just a few of the 150 or so new exhibitors for 2013.

The show's free technical seminar programme is also a powerful attraction.

This year's programme features the usual broad mixture of topics delivered by experts in their fields. Tim Scurlock from Automotive Lean Consulting will look at Lean Concepts and what they mean for the practicalities of waste elimination. David Kilroy from Manufacturing Insights will examine Best Practice and World Class Manufacturing. Mike Harrison from ATOL Business Services will look at Supply Chain and SC21, while Ian McKay, former quality executive with BAE Military Aircraft will discuss Improving the Manufacturing Process. Paul Laidler of TÃœV SÃœD Product Service will deliver an Introduction to Machine Safety.

In the Electronics sessions, Bob Willis will speak on Eliminating Counterfeit Components. He returns for a later session to look at Package on Package Design and Assembly - an increasingly important technique being employed in mobile, medical and military applications. Sylvain Brand of Surface Technology International presents two sessions. In Continuously Improving Quality on an SMT Line, the Lean and 6-sigma Black Belt practitioner looks at how a simple 6-Sigma approach can be effective in reducing waste.

His second session, Increasing Output of Electronic Box Assembly looks at how Lean principles can be applied to a production cell to achieve positive transformation in output.

Nick Wainwright, CEO of York EMC Services, examines the implications of the latest EU EMC Directive with particular reference to obligations under the Declaration of Conformity. Richard Poate of TÃœV SÃœD Product Service guides delegates through the requirements for CE Marking for Consumer Products and Professional Electronics. Peter Grundy of Altus Group takes a look at the pros and cons of automation in To Automate or Not To Automate.

Entry to the seminars is free, but preregistration is advised as spaces are limited.