October 2019

| 0 6 | October 2019 www.smartmachinesandfactories.com | NEWS | This year’s TCT Show was a platform for helping to drive to increase awareness and adoption of additive manufacturing and 3D printing technology, with more than 250 exhibitors showcasing a myriad of innovative applications. Across the three days, visitors had the opportunity to see a diverse range of businesses who were launching new products and services, including Ultimaker, Makerbot, 3D Systems, T3DMC, Matsuura, and Zortrax. This year’s show had an incredible display of cutting-edge, design-to-manufacturing technologies on the show floor. This year’s TCT show had a number of new features, including its new 1-2- 1 meetings programme -  TCT Connect (sponsored this year by HP) which held 230 meetings across the three days in its own dedicated meetings lounge. Both visitors and exhibitors were able to use the service and identify contacts by sector and interest, and then schedule meetings with them. The TCT Summit Stage also featured high profile keynote presentations including, Martin Stevens, mechanical engineering manager at DB ESG (part of Deutsche TCT Show increases additive manufacturing awareness Bahn) and James Brown, data and Pperformance engineer at Angel Trains, who explored how a recent additive manufacturing collaboration had resulted in the UK’s first AM solution for the rail industry, and the first in-service 3D printed parts on the UK’s railways. TCT also held its third annual TCT Awards ceremony, at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham. Fifteen competitive award categories, including the TCT Rising Star Award and the new TCT Women in 3D Printing Innovator Award, were presented. The TCT Group also inducted another industry giant of additive manufacturing into its distinguished TCT Hall of Fame; Gideon Levy - an early pioneer in the AM industry, with his contributions beginning in 1997 as the originator and head of the iRPD (Institute for Rapid Product Development). He is currently active at Technology Turn Around (TTA), consulting major players in industry education and research on AM. The TCT Show and Awards returns in September 202 TCT Awards winners 2019 developing codes of conduct on data use, including within supply chains, drawn up in consultation with the workforce and their representatives. Companies need to demonstrate that employee data is secure and that they are in compliance with regulations. 5. Job Security and enhancement  Growth generated by digital technology should be reinvested, where possible, into areas that provide more opportunities and better jobs within the organisation. Individuals should see their roles enhanced as a consequence of digital technology. This will require open and creative ways to generate ideas for new products and/or areas for investment. 6. Equalities, diversity and inclusion  Digitalisation can support inclusivity but issues, including new ways of working and working time, job design, job evaluation, access to training, retraining and progression, can all have equality and diversity implications. Equality impact assessments should be included within any organisations’ plans for digitalisation. Professor Juergen Maier, chair of the Made Smarter Commission and Siemens UK CEO, said: “To make a success of this 4th Industrial revolution, it needs to be truly inclusive. That means strong partnerships when it comes to digitalisation, technology deployment and upskilling and the Made Smarter work is totally committed to that.  “We’ve long said we need a workforce ready for technology disruption and 1 million existing workers need new digital skills. This partnership between government, industry and the TUC is the first step in developing a detailed roadmap to deliver this” TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady added: “As more of the economy goes digital, working people must share the benefits. That means giving them a say on how it changes their workplace and job. “People embrace change when it is done with them, not to them. The principles recognise this, giving workers a voice in partnership with their employer. And they put the focus on workers’ needs – good, safe jobs with opportunities for training. “We encourage all employers to recognise trade unions so we can work together to make Britain a leader in digital technology and great jobs.”