The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) and the ET Foundation announced a new educational event focused on expanding aluminum extrusion knowledge for product designers, design engineers, architects, and others. Extrusion Design University – EDU ’18 is a two-day event scheduled to take place May 14-16, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. EDU ’18 will feature one-and-a-half days of educational sessions, an exposition and networking.
“This new event is designed for individuals who want to learn more about how to design and engineer products using aluminum extrusions,” Jeff Henderson, AEC president. “AEC has developed a relationship with thousands of product designers, engineers, product specifiers, and university professors who are very engaged in learning what the extrusion industry has to offer. Many of these professionals have had a very limited education regarding the aluminum extrusion process and designing with this versatile material. We think there will be demand for this information based on the audience numbers we attract with our webinars and other indicators.”
Call for Presentations
Educational sessions will feature topics covering aluminum extrusion design, processes, and applications ranging from alloys to finishing. The conference will include a kick-off general session and one-and-half days covering a multitude of topics arranged in subject-specific tracks, including:
- Architectural/Building & Construction
- Automotive/Transportation
- Industrial Applications
EDU ’18 is also intended to attract aluminum extrusion industry professionals as a “mini ET Seminar” event with a track dedicated to industry training and knowledge-sharing. The track, “A Taste of ET,” will include a limited number of ET Seminar technical presentations featuring topics focused on improving business excellence and extrusion benchmarking. Aluminum extrusion industry companies are encouraged to send their employees to this event since the program topics may also be beneficial to new employees.
AEC has released the call for presentations, which outlines the event and invites prospective speakers to submit an abstract for a presentation aimed at educating those who design and use aluminum extrusions. Topics of interest include:
- Aluminum extrusion design
- Application case studies
- Product and process improvements using extrusions
- Extrusion finishing and fabrication
- and more.
Abstract submissions are being accepted now through August 15, 2017.
Presentations will be submitted for consideration to earn continuing education units (CEUs) with organizations such as the American Institute of Architects (AIA). “The idea is to offer these professionals CEUs for attending classes designed to inform and educate them on using and specifying aluminum extrusions for their design projects while making it easy for them to earn their continuing education at one event,” said Henderson
Exhibition
EDU ’18 also will feature an exhibition where extruders and suppliers to the extrusion industry will be able to interact with the attendees. “The expo at EDU ’18 will provide a terrific opportunity for extruders and suppliers to connect with current and prospective customers. This event will help showcase the North American aluminum extrusion industry while highlighting the knowledge and capabilities of AEC member companies,” said Henderson.
Details on exhibiting at EDU ’18 will be released soon. Program and registration details will be available in fall 2017. Visit the website at AEC.org/EDU18 for details.