2/9/2018
BY: GREGG PETERSON
Looking to learn more about the latest innovations in lightweighting technologies? The upcoming GALM Summit might be for you.
What is GALM?
Taking place February 21-22 in Detroit, the fifth annual Global Automotive Lightweight Manufacturing Summit will focus on discussing advanced joining, forming and manufacturing technologies in the transportation industry. This conference is a part of the Global Automotive Lightweight Materials (GALM) series of conferences, known as the world’s leading conferences on automotive lightweighting. Originally launched in London and Detroit in 2012, the GALM events bring together some of the world’s leading OEMs and automotive experts to share and explore the latest innovations in the industry.
This year’s event will be no different in terms of prestige and impact, but it will have a new approach to its theme. With an emphasis placed on new opportunities and applications for electric vehicle (EV) body structures, this conference will present solutions to the current joining and forming issues facing manufacturers.
The Future of Lightweighting
As lightweighting technology continues to impact and change vehicle production, it is now becoming a priority for all automotive manufacturers to discover and utilize the latest methods and technologies in using advanced lightweight materials, such as magnesium, aluminum, ultra-high strength steel and composites. Speakers at this conference will explore the latest opportunities for using lightweight materials on EV body structures, as well as discuss how EV body structures will influence current and future joining and manufacturing technologies.
The benefits of using lower density materials are still being discovered, but case studies of the past have demonstrated how lightweighting practices can help lighten structures, decrease the cost of materials involved, improve fuel efficiency, lower the carbon footprint and enhance vehicle performance. Conferences such as this help to give OEMs and suppliers more experience and confidence in using these materials and discover new ways to use them in traditional vehicles.
With a number of expert speakers from global OEMs, including GM, Ford, Karma Automotive and Faraday Future, anyone involved in the automotive industry can benefit from attending this year’s Global Automotive Lightweight Manufacturing Summit. Many Tier 1s and automotive OEMs are sponsoring this event, including our partner Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow (LIFT), making this a unique networking opportunity in addition to a technically informative event. I’ll be participating in a panel discussion at the conference, as well, to share my insights about the changes facing the transportation industry. Join me and more than 400 other experts in the industry at this exclusive, innovative event to catch up on the latest trends and practices in the lightweighting world.
To learn more about this event, or to register to attend, click here.
To learn more about the innovative lightweight vehicle frames being developed by The Center and LIFT, in concert with the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) and LIFT members including Detroit Engineered Products, Pennex Aluminum and Commander Innovations, click here.
MEET OUR EXPERT
Gregg Peterson, Principal Materials Engineer
As an accomplished engineer, inventor, mentor of emerging talent and successful entrepreneur, Gregg brings an impressive array of expertise and enthusiasm to every endeavor he pursues. In his current role as Principal Materials Engineer, Gregg works on-site at the Detroit headquarters of Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow (LIFT) as part of a program to propel the use of lightweight materials in manufacturing. Gregg’s OEM and Tier 1 automotive engineering experience spans more than 30 years and includes extensive ferrous and non-ferrous body structure design and innovation, aerodynamics, software controls, manufacturing/processing and more.
Since 1991, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center has assisted Michigan’s small and medium-sized businesses to successfully compete and grow. Through personalized services designed to meet the needs of clients, we develop more effective business leaders, drive product and process innovation, promote company-wide operational excellence and foster creative strategies for business growth and greater profitability. Find us at www.the-center.org.
Categories: Advanced Manufacturing,
Innovation,
Technology