Media advisory: The future of helicopters, big data and redefining American manufacturing

BUFFALO, N.Y. – What will the next generation of helicopters look like? How will big data transform our lives? And how can advanced manufacturing revitalize the economies of cities like Buffalo?

These are some of the topics to be discussed Monday as one of the world’s largest mechanical engineering forums kicks into full gear at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.

Organized by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and co-hosted by the University at Buffalo, the conference include executives from Fortune 500 companies, scholars, entrepreneurs, students and others working in robotics, computer-aided engineering, 3-D printing and many other emerging technologies.

News media members are invited to attend.

The following presentations will take place Monday in the theater, located on the convention center’s second floor.

The evolution of helicopters

Like Henry Ford and car manufacturing in Detroit, Bell Aircraft revolutionized the helicopter industry in Buffalo, building many of the first mass-produced helicopters. Find out what’s next for helicopters from the man tasked with overhauling the U.S. military’s fleet.

• Lt. Col (Ret.) Dan Bailey – Bailey heads the estimated $100 billion effort to build the next generation of U.S. military helicopters. The “future vertical lift” program aims to redesign essential helicopter components that have remained unchanged for decades.

          He will speak from approximately 8:55 to 9:20 a.m.

The big data revolution

We’re flooded with data, but we need the proper people, processes and technology to make sense of all this information. Find out how ICONICS, a world-leading software developer, turns big data into business intelligence.

• Russ Agrusa – A University at Buffalo alumnus, Agrusa is the founder, president and CEO of ICONICS. He will discuss how “anywhere, any scale access” to big data is transforming manufacturing.

          He will speak from approximately 9:20 to 9:45 a.m.

Redefining American manufacturing

If manufacturing is to continue its comeback in the U.S., it will need to be even more nimble, adaptable and intelligent. Find out how leading firms are redefining the next generation of manufacturing.

• Helmuth Ludwig – As chief executive officer of Siemens Industry Sector for the United States, Ludwig will share how the multinational engineering and electronics conglomerate is helping lead the resurgence of U.S. manufacturing.

          He will speak from approximately 11:20 to 11:45 a.m.

Clean energy manufacturing

• Mark A. Johnson – He is director of the advanced manufacturing office within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, which is part of the U.S. Department of Energy. He will discuss innovation within the clean energy manufacturing sector.

          He will speak from approximately 12:10 to 12:30 p.m.

Onsite contact: Deborah Wetzel, ASME media relations manager, at 917-580-0974 or wetzeld@asme.org.

J. Robert “Bob” Sims, ASME president, is available to discuss the conference. Reporters interested in speaking with him should contact Wetzel.