PROTOTYPING-MNE 2020 ON FEBRUARY 5 & 6 AT KORTRIJK XPO

Designing and making are more connected than ever in the 4th industrial revolution! That is why Prototyping (the Belgian network fair for design & prototyping of industrial components and products) and MNE (Machineering Network event: fair for manufacturing technology and mechanical engineering) have for the first time combined their two concepts, assets and knowledge at PROTOTYPING-MNE 2020. Thanks to this merger, Belgium now has one fair on February 5 & 6, 2020 where the entire value chain is covered: from innovative design in small volumes to serial production and marketing.

PROTOTYPING-MNE expects 3,500 visitors from the manufacturing industry, metal and plastics processing, machine and equipment construction. In spring, the fair will become the new ''place to be'' for C-levels, department heads from engineering and industrial design, production, maintenance, quality assurance, assembly and supply chain. From now on, they will discover 180 exhibitors with technology, machines and solutions for the smart design, engineering, prototyping, manufacturing and marketing of industrial products, high-tech systems and components in a single trade show visit. This completes the bridge between design (a.o. for single pieces) and industrial production. The 10 technology routes help to find the right partners on the exhibition floor with an engineering and production team visit.

Sharing new insights and knowledge through rich fringe program

At PROTOTYPING-MNE 2020, both exhibitors and visitors have free access to various networking and inspiring sessions within the theme of design, engineering, manufacturing and digitalization.

Expert Classes

During 9 expert classes, engineering and manufacturing teams will be immersed in future-proof design, prototyping and manufacturing. CEOs and CTOs will testify about their approach to new challenges and transformation. The following topics will be covered: Provan and its Industry 4.0 journey (by Peter Tans, CEO Provan); Advanced process and asset control with AI (by Simon Logghe, CEO ML6); How Digitalization is transforming our business model (by Jan Dekock, Senior R&D engineer Vyncke); Our brilliant journey in a revolutionary Automotive industry (by Luk Hiltrop, CEO TE Connectivity); Industry 4.0 and the future of manufacturing (by Dirk Torfs, CEO Flanders Make).

Keynote Pascal Coppens + Captain's of the industry debate

How to optimize and innovate in a context of rapid digitalization and international competitiveness? Is the mindset of Belgian industry armed and ready to enter the ring within this technologically disruptive environment and competition? Keynote speaker Pascal Coppens - China specialist and author of
"China's New Normal" - opens this evening session on Wednesday, Feb. 5. This will be followed by a debate with 6 Belgian Captains of the Industry: Jan De Witte (CEO at Barco), Dirk Deroost (CEO at Cronos Group), Germann Volker (CEO at Audi Brussels NV), Marc Meurisse (Chairman at Engicon), Paul Renson (President Renson Ventilation) and Marc Lambotte (CEO at Agoria and moderator). They will give their opinion on a number of facts and statements concerning this evolution and how they will deal with it concretely. This evening session is organized by Agoria centrally on the exhibition floor of Prototyping-MNE and is by invitation only.

Use case pitches, late shift & matchmaking

Also on the program are 16 use case pitches. Through short 10-minute presentations, visitors will be introduced to various companies and technologies through concrete reference cases on a variety of topics: 3D printing, the added value of a designer in your boardroom, XR / VR, Generative Design, Intellectual Property Law etc. View the program and cases online.

PROTOTYPING-MNE will be open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. both days of the fair. On the second day of the fair, Thursday evening, February 6, there will also be the "Late Shift. The 180 exhibitors will then be happy to welcome their clients and business associates as a team after office hours for a pleasant and, above all, instructive nocturne. A chat, a snack and a drink, hearing, seeing and being seen ... is the message. And above all: the day after, the entire management, design and production team leaves for the office with numerous new insights.

Those who like to fix appointments in advance with the right knowledge partners or suppliers during both days of the fair can accomplish this through the MATCHMAKING app: https://prototyping-mne2020.b2match.io.

Cafe 3d: Highly Addi(c)tive

What to use Additive Manufacturing for? What technologies are out there? Which sectors need to invest now to be future proof? Under the heading Café 3D: highly addi(c)tive, Flam 3D and the organization PROTOTYPING MNE are joining forces to answer all your AM-related questions. Thus, there is a Café 3D Networking and info point on the exhibition floor where exhibition visitors can ask questions about opportunities or obstacles in 3D printing. There will also be a 3D Expo featuring 10 printed masterpieces and several Guided tours. Here the opportunities with 3D printing are explained in just 15 minutes (sessions take place several times a day).

Networking & exchanging ideas after free online registration

PROTOTYPING-MNE 2020 is primarily about meeting each other, sharing experiences or exchanging ideas related to the latest technologies. Those wishing to attend should register in advance at www.prototyping-mne.be. The visitor's badge gives access to all parts of the event.

Practical info & contact

Dates & opening hours: Wednesday, Feb. 5 and Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020 (2 p.m. - 9 p.m.)
Location & access: Kortrijk Xpo (Hall 4).Free access for professionals via online pre-registration at prototyping-mne.be.