AMUG announces keynote speakers from automotive sector for 2022 conference
January 5, 2022
The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) has announced Ellen Lee (Ford Motor Company) and Kevin Czinger (Divergent 3D and Czinger Vehicles) as the keynote speakers for the 2022 AMUG Conference. These speakers will discuss innovations and changes in the automotive sector at the event, scheduled to take place in Chicago, Illinois, US, from April 3-7.
“It will be interesting to hear Kevin’s and Ellen’s ‘similar but different’ perspectives on the present and future of manufacturing in the automotive industry,” stated Jordan Weston, AMUG Director, Education & Conference. “Ellen represents a 118-year-old company that changed the game over a century ago, yet continues to innovate in response to shifting demands. Kevin represents a company that will make its mark by changing the process, altering vehicle architectures, and localising adaptive, sustainable manufacturing.”
Czinger will take the stage on April 5 to share how he founded Divergent 3D in 2013 in an effort to rethink how vehicles are produced at scale, using a system-level approach to digital manufacturing. This approach has been demonstrated by Divergent’s captive product company, Czinger Vehicles. Divergent 3D is now partnering with several unnamed automotive OEMs to make use of AM in scaled serial production.
At the core of Divergent 3D’s solution and a central point for the keynote presentation is DAPS™ (Divergent Adaptive Production System), a system-level solution that delivers multi-objective, optimised designs; purpose-designed materials; tool-free AM, and automated, fixture-less assembly. Czinger founded Divergent 3D in 2013 and serves as its CEO. He is also a member of SLM Solutions Group’s supervisory board.
On April 7, Lee will present ‘Automotive Manufacturing to Additive Manufacturing: From History to the Future of Mobility’. She will share how key events and needs in the history of mobility have influenced the development and advancement of the modern manufacturing industry, from the moving assembly line to AM, and the development of new materials. Building on that insight, she will discuss the continued drive for innovation in areas such as mass customisation, decentralised supply chains, and digital manufacturing – all of which could rely on AM playing a critical role.
Lee’s entire professional career, spanning over two decades, has been at Ford Motor Company. For the past six years, she has served in her current role as technical leader for AM research.
Other stage presentations include Insights and Highlights (April 4) and the Innovators Showcase (April 6). The keynotes and featured presentations will begin each day of the conference and set the tone for the 150 presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and hands-on training sessions.
Further information about the event and programme, as well as registration, is available through the event organiser’s website.
To learn more about Czinger Vehicles, read our ‘Metal AM in automotive: How the Czinger 21C is redefining next-generation car manufacturing’ lead article in the Winter 2021 issue of Metal AM magazine.
