Pitch Perfect
Seco Tools Inspiration through Innovation Event 2019 was pitch perfectSeco’s Inspiration through Innovation manufacturing best-practice event, focused exclusively on the aerospace sector, hits the high notes with visitors and partners alike.
Seco Tools has reported that its annual Inspiration through Innovation manufacturing best-practice event, hosted at the company’s Technology Centre on 9th and 10th October, was a huge success with a total of 747 visitors attending over the two days.
Inspiration through Innovation 2019 did not disappoint and, demonstrating the global nature of the aerospace sector, appealed to an international audience as well as the domestic market.
Says Mike Fleming, Seco’s Strategic Marketing, Products & Services Manager: “The Aerospace Industry really does transcend national boundaries and Inspiration through Innovation 2019 has a real international flavour. We welcomed visitors from as far afield as China, South Korea, Australia, India and the US as well as from Europe and the UK during the event. Over 22% of visitors were from outside the UK.”
Also impressive was the type of visitor that made the effort to get to Inspiration through Innovation 2019.
“We deliberately targeted this year’s event at key decision makers in aerospace component manufacturing companies and in other influential and advisory organisations operating in the supply chain,” continues Mike. “An audit of attendees, by job function, revealed a good cross-section of company CEOs and Managing Directors as well as Production Managers, Operations Managers, R & D Managers, Senior Manufacturing Engineers and Applications Engineers.”
Inspiration through Innovation 2019, like all previous events, highlighted the power and synergistic benefits that can be achieved through collaboration and from sharing knowledge and best practice.
More than 30 technical partners including machine tool builders, CAD/CAM providers and work-holding, metalworking fluid and metrology suppliers worked closely with Seco to design, develop and deliver the event.
Says Dave Magnall, Seco’s Innovation Partnership Manager: “The many months spent planning the event, designing the machining demonstrations and devising the topical seminar programme all paid off. I would like to thank all our technical partners for their commitment to the success of Inspiration through Innovation 2019.”
Andy Dyche, Sales Manager at Zoller, one of Seco’s event partners says: "Seco Tools' Inspiration through Innovation 2019 has been a really excellent event. We've seen both existing and new Zoller users, had meetings on a number of projects to move them further forward and even welcomed international visitors onto the stand."
“Yet another perfectly organised event by Seco in collaboration with technical partners. Superb demonstrations and best practice methods to share with all. Pleased to be part of it with hyperMILL adding value to the event,” says Simon Docker, UK Sales Manager from Open Mind Technologies, another event partner.
The event provided a balance between innovative and challenging machining demonstrations and a programme of highly-relevant and issue-led seminars.
Nine machining demonstrations (all aerospace focused) included aero-engine blisk, disc, combustion chamber section and blade manufacture as well as the machining of fuel connector, wing pylons, hinges and passenger seating components. Virtually every material used in the aerospace sector was being machined at the event, from titanium, Inconel and aluminium to carbon fibre composites. Visitors were able to see a wide range of the latest (and most advanced) technologies in action.
The (seven) seminars scheduled over the two days, each one led by an industry expert, were informative, thought-provoking and pulled in the crowds. Says Mike Fleming: “Every year, we look to change the content and structure of Inspiration through Innovation to make it more relevant and in tune with customers’ needs and requirements.” He adds: “This year the event was focused on the aerospace sector and, in addition to the record number of visitors attending, the accolades and plaudits received from visitors and partners alike, during and after the event, are evidence that the scope and scale of Inspiration through Innovation 2019 was spot on.”
Inspiration through Innovation partners and guests had positive things to say about the event. One visitor, Leigh Tricklebank, Sales Manager from Fastems says: “Without doubt the Seco Tools Inspiration through Innovation event is the very best in the UK. Congratulations to everyone at Seco on another spectacular and valued experience.”
Seco’s next Inspiration through Innovation event is set to take place 7-8 October 2020 in Alcester, Warwickshire.
