SME, USM to launch high-tech manufacturing conference

The University of Southern Maine’s College of Science, Technology and Health and the Maine chapter of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers are launching a new conference this fall covering various topics in high-tech manufacturing, like three-dimensional printing.

Gregory Cavanaugh, program manager for the Office of External Programs at the USM college, told Mainebiz the day-long DigiFab conference on Nov. 1 will focus on emerging technologies and trends in manufacturing with sessions geared toward both manufacturers and educators.

Cavanaugh said the conference aims to create an opportunity for manufacturers and educators to discuss existing resources for high-tech manufacturing in the state and to learn more about the associated opportunities.

The event will feature a keynote speech from Sherry Lassiter, the program manager for the Center for Bits & Atoms and the international FabLab network based at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Cavanaugh said he hopes the conference will draw up to 500 attendees to USM’s Abromson Center and become an annual event for the two groups. Cavanaugh, who is organizing the event with Maine FabLab founder and Sarah Boisvert, an informal volunteer with MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms and founder of 3D MicroFactory in Rockland, said the conference has launched a website with the full conference schedule and details on how to register.

Clarification: A previous headline on this story did not indicate the Maine chapter of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers' involvement in organizing the DigiFab conference. Also, Sarah Boisvert's relationship with MIT was also misstated. We regret the errors.