Networking event connects all the dots between design and series production

A good product starts with a good design. But it must also be made well. It is these two sides of the coin that MNE-Prototyping brought together during a networking fair. A fair that from now on will operate under the new name of design to manufacturing. On September 21 and 22 at Kortrijk Xpo, you can discover for yourself how important it is to arrive at an integrated value chain and which partners and technology assist you in doing so.

The merging of networking fairs Prototyping and MNE proved to be a success in 2020. It became the meeting place par excellence where series production and prototyping, still too often separate worlds in practice, found each other. Karl D'Haveloose of the IndustrialFairs organizing team: "Connecting the processes of design and manufacturing also appears to be the way forward for the industry. After all, the better they can weave them together, the more leaps can be made in quality, safety and sustainability. It is the way to reinforce the innovation power of the manufacturing industry again." 

To perfectly reflect this trend, the Prototyping-MNE networking fair is getting a new name. "Design to manufacturing, D2M for short, is in this case the flag that perfectly covers the load. It shows how we can connect the dots. How we can make design and series production one integrated value chain." Design to manufacturing gets its baptism of fire on September 21 and 22 at Kortrijk Xpo.

Bringing together entire value chain

So what exactly can you all expect? The tasted format of Prototyping-MNE actually remains largely unchanged. Players from the entire value chain of design and manufacturing will be present with solutions and services. In doing so, the organization itself also wants to look beyond the "usual suspects. "We actually want to put the familiar concept in an Industrie 4.0 jacket. Right from the design phase, we need to take into account how the product will eventually be made. And how can we bring all these processes together in the most efficient way? Design to manufacturing also wants to look at which innovative materials and techniques have emerged in recent years, which IoT standards apply, how software platforms can form the missing link, how we can weave sustainability into all of this... We want to go and find them ourselves and invite them to the show floor, to show our visitors the complete picture from design to series production," D'Haveloose said.

Triggering with knowledge and demos

Technology routes will therefore return to the show floor. The wider the range of offerings, the greater the need to easily navigate them. "That's exactly what these technology routes do," D'Haveloose explains. "They guide visitors very specifically to the solutions they are looking for, using a technology trail." 

In addition, of course, the Expert Classes were not to be missed, which provide experts and specialized knowledge for companies looking to push their production to the next level. "Currently, we are still tinkering with the program. We invite competence centers or companies that have already implemented smart solutions to apply. We are adding a captain's debate on September 21, entitled 'The brave new world of manufacturing,' where experts and technology leaders, led by Agoria, will come together at the table to inspire visitors about manufacturing and business in times of disruptions. On September 22, Manufacturing 4.0 is on the program, a debate about the need for collaboration and partnership." 

What will be a style break, however, are the new packages for machine tool suppliers. "We want to give exhibitors the opportunity to give demos of their machines and solutions at the show. We see that demos have the potential to trigger the audience even more."

At the end of September at Kortrijk Xpo

The timing of design to manufacturing is now set for late September. "In the past, Prototyping-MNE served as the late New Year's reception for the industry. However, visitor surveys show that they would be more inclined to a date in the fall. They ask, we turn. We are curious to see what that will give, but we are confident that the new name and concept will "boink" on it anyway. We feel the interest is starting to pick up," concludes D'Haveloose.