Detroit IT has become a leading IT solutions partner for various manufacturing industries across Metro Detroit, which made our team excited to attend the Big M Manufacturing Conference this past week at Cobo Hall. By visiting each exhibitor booth, we were able to gather further insight on the technical needs of today’s manufacturers.
Hosted by SME, a society based on the promotion of manufacturing engineering, the Big M held its second annual conference. With an outstanding 65 speakers, 185 exhibitors and a series of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Events, it was an action-packed three days.
The Big M Highlights
Speakers
Keynote speakers included representatives from Google, Coach, Deere and Company, Autodesk, Energy Advisor, Vocademy, and Michigan’s own, Josh Linkner––the co-founder of Detroit Venture Partners.
Josh, now the CEO of the Institute for Applied Creativity, gave an enthusiastic presentation, focused on the importance of innovation. He explained, as he did in his best-selling book, the Road to Reinvention, how to continuously reinvent yourself and your business through various methods and techniques.
He tweeted –
Exhibitors
Among the 185 exhibitors at the Big M, there were a few that definitely caught our attention! Here our Detroit IT’s top 3:
1. Rave Computer – Sterling Heights, Mich.
As technology enthusiasts, we were thrilled to meet award-winning Rave Computer. Recognized for the third year as Intel’s Partner of the year, Rave offers custom-configured solutions to industries who require integration services, custom-configured and/or designed high-performance computers.
At the Big M, Rave featured a different kind of animal! Meet the Beasts.
The Renderbeast – A computer workstation designed to improve your render times as well as the quality of visualization deliverables. Rave has built 3 different models to fit different needs – R1 for GPU Computing, R2 the Visualization Station and R3 the Creation Station.
The CAD Beast – Rave also designed and optimized the CAD Beast to improve 3D model creation times and quality. The CAD Beast can also be configured for different needs, whether you are working in small Solidworks models or large complex Siemens NX models.
2. SME – Dearborn, Mich.
As any great host would, SME, headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., created an exciting exhibit space, including the its very own Plinko Board. Attendees that participated in playing, entered a drawing to win a free 3D Printer or a one-year membership to SME!
SME’s membership program provides networking connections for manufacturing professional through local chapter meetings, leadership training sessions, conferences and trade shows, and programs for students focused on technology within manufacturing to showcase their skills.
3. CAM Logic – Oxford, Mich.
CAM Logic, based out of Oxford, Mich., made sure that they were impossible to miss. As the leading provider of Product Lifecycle Management, CAM Logic was found in the lobby of Cobo Hall, scanning the statue of Joe Louis to create a 3D printed replication. Attendees were able to have their badges scanned to enter the drawing to win the 3D model!
The company was also recognized in 2014 for its partnership with Steinbichler. Utilizing its 3D laser scanner, the CAM Logic team scanned the Spirit of Detroit Statue in front of the Colemen Young Municipal Building to create a digital model, without having to touch the statue. It is amazing to see the advancements in 3D scanning and printing, and we cannot wait to see what they have in store for 2016!
STEM Events
Leading the STEM Competitions was the President of SCRUM Inc., Joe Justice. With his guidance, high schools students from the Metro Detroit area, with limited prior knowledge on building vehicles, were able to build a car in one day! Using SCRUM methodologies, the students used four 90-minute sprints to complete a prototype, using raw materials and a few assembled modules. After the completion, the students were able to start the car, rev up the engine and steer the car around the floor to face the crowd!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Over all our team had a blast at the Big M. The importance of IT in the manufacturing industry is undeniable as 83% of companies report a massive increase in users, locations, applications and embracement of cloud computing. At Detroit IT, we specialize in proving support and solutions for many manufacturers, allowing them to stay focused on what they do best––creating things that inspire the world.
