MTConnect — the open operating standard that is being implemented for organized distribution and retrieval of process information among CNC machine tools — will be the subject of a users’ conference later this year. The MTConnect Institute will stage [MC]^2 MTConnect: Connecting Manufacturing Conference November 8-10, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati.
"This conference will be a can't-miss event for all things related to MTConnect and improving manufacturing productivity,” stated Dave Edstrom, president and chairman of the MTConnect Institute.
The MTConnect Institute is the coordinating body for dozens of companies listed as sponsors, partners, technical advisory group members and observers, and implementers. The list includes machine tool builders, software and automation developers, research bodies, trade groups, and OEMs.
The event will be organized with a business track that will emphasize how the standard can promote increased manufacturing productivity and ROI, and a technical track that will focus on implementing and using MTConnect.
“The technical tracks will include hands-on labs led by subject matter experts to allow software developers to learn about MTConnect from both the machine side, as well as the application level,” according to Edstrom. “Meanwhile, the business tracks will feature engaging discussions from industry thought leaders that will allow everyone, from the plant floor to the CEO's office, to understand how MTConnect improves productivity throughout the plant.”
The Institute explains that the MTConnect communications standard has made important progress in its establishment as a manufacturing industry platform for improving connectivity and interoperability. It explains that the November event will bring together in one place the business and technical interests supporting MTConnect.
“This conference is aimed at promoting both the benefits and implementation of MTConnect, as well as showcasing commercially available products that utilize the standard,” according to the announcement, released by AMT-The Association for Manufacturing Technology. AMT (which is a founding sponsor of MTConnect) recommends the event as potentially beneficial for end users, equipment suppliers, software developers, distributors, independent software vendors, integrators, and consultants.
