Those events will feature suppliers displaying electronics manufacturing products and machinery. In addition, attendees can see even more new products with the concurrent running of the Vision East Show, which features machine vision components.

A technical conference program designed by the Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) begins 1 day earlier on May 4.

Four Free Special Events

For the third year in a row at Assembly East, ASSEMBLY magazine will present a roundtable session, chaired by John Sprovieri, senior editor at ASSEMBLY magazine.

U.S. manufacturers have made remarkable gains in productivity during the past decade. In 2002, for example, the United States posted its highest annual growth rate in output per hour in 15 years. Such dramatic improvements in productivity have been the sole reason that many American companies have been able stay at all competitive with the rest of the world. What are the reasons behind this success? Can U.S. manufacturers continue to produce more output with the same or less input? Can manufacturing sustain both productivity and employment? This panel discussion will seek answers to these questions. The panel will consist of consultants, academics and key personnel from leading regional manufacturers. The goal of the discussion is to provide practical information to help engineers increase productivity at their assembly plants.

The panel will be held Wednesday, May 5, from 10 to 11 a.m. The panelists include: Steve Savage,vice president of operations at Affordable Interior Systems (Hudson, MA); Donald E. Peterson, senior project manager at New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Concorde, NH); Gerard W. Ward, president of CONNSTEP Inc. (Rocky Hill, CT); David Hess, project manager for lean manufacturing at Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Woburn, MA); and Jim McClellan, president of McClellan Automation Systems (Bedford, NH).

"Technological Advances in the Electronics Adhesives Industry," sponsored by Adhesives and Sealants Industry magazine and the Adhesive and Sealant Council Inc., will be presented on Wednesday, May 5, at 1:30 p.m. Industry experts will discuss technological advancements in electronics adhesives. An overview of adhesives used in surface mount assembly applications will also be presented.

Deborah Nightingale, Ph.D., senior lecturer in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and part of MIT's Lean Aerospace Initiative, is the featured keynote speaker. She will present "Transforming the Lean Enterprise Value Stream," on Thursday, May 6, at 12 p.m. The presentation will focus on how contemporary networked enterprises are transforming the entire value stream. Dr. Nightingale will discuss how lean principles can be applied to all business processes to achieve value for the total enterprise.

On Thursday, May 6, at 1:30 p.m., The Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership (GBMP) will present a panel discussion entitled "The Human Aspect of Lean: Looking Beyond the Tools." The panel will be chaired by Bruce Hamilton, president of the GBMP and vice chair of the Shingo Prize board of governors. A panel of professionals from five Northeast manufacturers will share their experiences on how lean manufacturing has changed the way they do business.

Educational Conference

A 2-day conference program, which takes place May 5 to 6, will be presented by some leading manufacturing associations, including the Edison Welding Institute (EWI), GBMP and Adhesive and Sealant Council.

May 5 Seminars

9 to 11:45 a.m.

Implementing Lean Production-It's Not Luck

Pascal Dennis, Erik Hager and Bruce Hamilton, GBMP

During the current economic downturn, Toyota has recorded record profit levels. What's its secret? The Toyota system, also known as lean production. Attendees will learn the four obstacles and countermeasure strategies.

10 to 11 a.m.

The Productivity Challenge: Can U.S. Manufacturers Sustain Improvements?-FREE

John Sprovieri, ASSEMBLY magazine

U.S. manufacturers have made remarkable gains in productivity during the past decade. What are the reasons behind this success? Can U.S. manufacturers continue to produce more output with the same or less input? Can manufacturing sustain both productivity and employment? This panel discussion will seek answers to these questions.

1:30 to 2 p.m.

Technological Advances in the Electronic Adhesives Industry

Larry Sloan, Adhesive and Sealant Council Inc.

Paul Gallo, Asymtek

Chris Marinelli, Henkel Loctite

Industry experts will present an overview of adhesives used in surface mount assembly applications and answer formulation and application questions.

1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Ultrasonic Welding for Metal and Thermoplastics-Determining Feasibility of Applications

Tony DiFinizio and Donald R. Patton, STAPLA Ultrasonics Corp.

This session will cover the fundamental concepts of ultrasonic metal welding and ultrasonic plastic welding. The presenters will demonstrate a step-by-step procedure to review a metal or thermoplastic bonding application.

1:30 to 5 p.m.

Sustaining Lean Production-Practical Problem Solving

Pat Wardwell, GBMP

What is a problem? Why is it important for organizations to have problems? How do we identify and fix the root causes of problems? How do we harness the knowledge, skills and creativity of our team members? How do we continually improve? Attendees will learn the six-step problem-solving process, four critical decision points and potential pitfalls, root-cause analysis and A3 thinking.

May 6 Seminars

9 to 11:45 a.m.

Eliminating Shortages Using Pull Systems

Bruce Hamilton, GBMP

This interactive workshop will introduce attendees to the basics of kanban. It will describe how triggers can be used to drive production based on actual customer requirements instead of forecasts.

The workshop includes a hands-on simulation of a pull system to give the attendees an understanding of the key components.

9 to 11:45 a.m.

Adhesive Bonding for Medical Devices

Dr. George Ritter, EWI

Adhesives are finding increased use in medical and electronic devices. This session will discuss when to use adhesives, along with positive and negative characteristics of different adhesive types. Joint design considerations, surface preparation and cure-processing methods will also be discussed. Participants are encouraged to bring sample parts, drawings or application issues for discussion.

1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

The Human Aspect of Lean: Looking Beyond the Tools-FREE

Bruce Hamilton, GBMP

Lean is 90 percent people and 10 percent tools. A panel of professionals from five leading Northeast manufacturers will share their experiences on how lean manufacturing has changed the way they do business. Attendees will hear discussions on how these professionals made a difference by empowering their teams.

2 to 5 p.m.

Getting to One-Piece Flow

Pat Wardwell, GBMP

This workshop will introduce attendees to the basics of flow production. It will describe how creating continuous flow benefits customers and eliminates waste from processes. This workshop will help introduce attendees to just-in-time production.

Registration Information

If you register early enough, you'll be automatically entered to win a RoboScout personal robot. The RoboScout has a 2.4-gigahertz transmitter that sends images to a 3- by 4-inch liquid crystal display on a wireless remote-control center. It stands 25 inches tall and weighs 24 pounds. Register by April 19 and receive your badge in the mail 2 weeks prior to Assembly East. For more information about registering, call 888-267-3796 or register online at www.assemblyeast.com. On-site registration opens at 7:30 a.m. on all 3 days of the event.