Don’t miss the special events scheduled for FABTECH 2021. While at the show, make plans to attend the keynote presentations and leadership exchange discussions in the Lakeside Center as well as the 3D/Additive Manufacturing Showcase on the show floor. Be sure to check back often, there’s more in store for FABTECH 2021 that you don’t want to miss!
All events are free and open to all attendees unless otherwise noted.
This year’s FABx will feature a powerful lineup of visionary leaders who are transforming the future of manufacturing. These manufacturers are increasingly integrating technologies like automation, artificial intelligence/AI, and data analytics into all aspects of how they operate, from the production floor to the supply chain. Hear how these leaders stay competitive in this ever-changing tech world.
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Advanced manufacturing is transforming the landscape of how we operate daily. The companies best positioned to successfully navigate this storm are those that embrace advanced manufacturing technologies and solutions. Ensure that you and your team keep up with emerging manufacturing technologies by accessing the latest technical information from industry thought leaders. Listen to our panel of experts to hear how other organizations are using advanced manufacturing for technology adoption in both products and processes. The panel discussion will highlight the ability to use that technology to remain competitive and add value to your organization.
Watch the live streamKeynote: Adam Steltzner, Leader & Chief Engineer, NASA Mars 2020 Mission, Rover Perseverance
Only Adam Steltzner and his talented team at Jet Propulsion Lab could follow their “Curiosity” rover success with the stunning Mars 2020 mission to land the rover “Perseverance” on the red planet. The magnificent landing on Mars on February 18, 2021 was akin to hurling a dart from New York City to land in a 5-foot circle in Washington DC. More than a technological achievement, the successful mission stands as an extraordinary leadership accomplishment in the midst of a global pandemic. In his exhilarating keynote, full of fascinating anecdotes and breathtaking images, Steltzner shares his own innovation challenges, leadership struggles, and flawless execution. Most importantly, he shows how you can overcome daunting obstacles in times of uncertainty and change. The human spirit is boundless, and Steltzner leaves you unafraid to journey from your comfort zone to explore your own exciting future.
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The manufacturing industry is in a constant state of transformation. Manufacturers are faced with pressing questions as they strive to meet needs in supply, labor, and new technologies. What does the state of steel look like as we wrap up 2021 and into 2022 – prices, capacity, tariffs. What strategies can be implemented? What can shops do to maintain material inventories and minimize risk? How can manufacturers streamline quoting activities, eliminate redundancies and manual intervention when it comes to front office activities and shop floor production? What challenges are manufacturers facing finding and keeping a qualified workforce? How is automation changing the workforce manufacturers are seeking? Our panel of experts will focus on addressing these questions and more.
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Todd Ludlow
President
Ludlow Manufacturing Inc.
Bryan Tice
Senior Partner
Metal Edge Partners, LLC
Keynote: David Ankin, CEO of ToyMakerz, Inc
David Ankin is a hands-on entrepreneur, former stunt man, motorcycle racer, and custom motor vehicle fabricator specializing in one-off custom builds and OEM enhancements for anything with wheels. As the owner of the shop Toymakerz, Ankin is living his dream creating everything from monster trucks to race cars on his TV show of the same name, ToyMakerz. The series follows his team as they bring unrivaled ingenuity and a unique skill set to motorized builds for a wide array of customers. On stage, Dave will share his secrets to success as a leader in the fabrication business and how his father has been his biggest inspiration.
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As anyone who has ever designed, built, or deployed robots can tell you – no one robot can do it all. As demand grows for automation, companies are increasingly requiring robots for specialized tasks within logistics and manufacturing applications. It is therefore imperative that robots and mobile robots, seamlessly work well together. Thankfully, there are several organizations within the robotics and automation communities working hard to create technology, standards, and best practices to address this.
This panel discussion, featuring speakers from leading robotics and logistics companies, will update attendees on efforts to develop technology that allow organizations to deploy robots and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) from multiple vendors within the same environment. It will provide insight into the challenges around heterogeneous robotic environments such as information sharing, battery management, safety, and other performance characteristics, and what the automation community is doing to solve these challenges within a warehouse or factory floor. (Special “thank you” to Patty Katsaros, Waypoint Robotics, Inc. for co-development of this panel session).
Watch the live streamKeynote: Adam Genei, Owner of Mobsteel and Detroit Steel Wheel Co.
Adam will discuss his workforce development formula, which has created a positive, invested, and competitive team, embodying the “out work everyone” attitude. His talk aims to prepare our next generation of workforce for navigating their way through our trades and businesses. Focusing on character, work ethic, and long-term thinking, Adam will share the milestones and learning moments he has experienced while building his worldwide brands Mobsteel and Detroit Steel Wheel Co.
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The skills gap could lead to a shortage of as many as 2.4 million manufacturing workers in the next decade. Manufacturing is not like it used to be and it is not a dirty, grimy job. It is all of our responsibility to support individuals in discovering their interest in manufacturing and to encourage the pursuit of a manufacturing career. How do we get involved and share awareness to encourage the next generation to pursue manufacturing careers? This panel of experts will share how to get engaged, inspire and prepare the next generation of manufacturing workforce.
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Sheila Lamothe
Executive Director
CCAI Finishing Education Foundation
Ed Dernulc
Director, Foundation
FMA
Nichol Lopriore
Executive Director
PMA Education Foundation
Rob Luce
Vice President
SME Education Foundation
Monica Pfarr
Executive Director
AWS Foundation
Event Days
3D/Additive Manufacturing has proven to be a formidable technology in the manufacturing industry. This year, FABTECH will feature a presentation showcase in the 3D/Additive Manufacturing Pavilion to provide access to information on this fast-growing technology. The showcase features industry-leading companies sharing 20-minute presentations on the latest in the Additive Manufacturing community. For detailed descriptions and times of each presentation, visit the 3D/Additive Manufacturing Showcase page.
CEO, ToyMakerz, Inc.
Born and raised in South Bend Indiana, David Ankin, AKA “Doghouse” Dave, is a hands-on entrepreneur, former stunt man, motorcycle racer, and custom motor vehicle fabricator that specializes in one-off custom builds & OEM enhancements for anything with wheels! Ankin started off his career in entertainment doing live stunts as Batman for Warner Bros. in Texas.
After 3 seasons there, he moved to South Carolina to focus on building businesses. This is where David earned the nickname “Doghouse Dave” as he managed and owned several popular bars along the east coast in hot spots like Myrtle Beach and Daytona, before moving up to Reidsville, NC to focus on his true passion and open the ToyMakerz shop.
David is the CEO of ToyMakerz, Inc. is known for his extreme vehicle creations that he personally tests and takes to the limit. ToyMakerz is for those who like exotic, rare toys of the vehicular variety. The show is driven by the creations David builds and the series follows his team as they bring unrivaled ingenuity and a unique skill set to motorized builds for a wide array of customers. The show is currently in its third season and has caught the attention of millions.
Smart Manufacturing Leader, Panasonic
Anna V. O’Brien is the Smart Manufacturing Leader at Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America. For over two decades Anna has consulted asset intensive organizations around the globe with their selection and implementation of enterprise software and technology solutions. Her expertise has been a powerful tool utilized by operations teams in Asia, Europe and the US to embrace mobility, automation and digital transformation. Her efforts have enabled organizations to provide superior products and services while optimizing costs, maintaining reliability and ensuring quality.
Director of Operations, Polaris Inc.
Keith Otterstatter joined Polaris in 2003 and currently leads the Project Management Office and Advanced Mfg. Technology Teams. He is responsible for implementation and standardization of new manufacturing technologies along with the execution of large manufacturing capital projects.
Keith holds Bachelors Degree in mechanical engineering and a Masters Degree in Engineering Management.
Co-Founder and CTO, Paperless Parts, Inc.
Scott Sawyer is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Paperless Parts, a software company providing small and mid-sized manufacturers the same tools that big companies spend millions of dollars to build. Scott leads the engineering team creating the industry’s most advanced 3D geometric analysis and pricing engine for smarter, faster, and more consistent estimating and quoting. Prior to founding Paperless Parts, he worked in engineering and leadership roles in consumer electronics and the defense industry. At Lockheed Martin and MIT Lincoln Laboratory, he created technology in the areas of anti-tamper, big data analysis for cybersecurity, and video and radar signal processing, resulting in numerous publications and patents. Scott holds a BSEE from Villanova University and MSEE from the University of Pennsylvania.
Co-founder and CEO, Sight Machine
Jon Sobel is co-founder and CEO of Sight Machine, the leader in real-time use of plant data for both operations and AI. Jon has been working with the adoption of digital technologies by traditional industries for 25 years, and previously served on the management teams of several pioneering technology companies including Tesla, CBS Digital, and Yahoo!.
VP Media, SME
Dave O’Neil joined SME in December 2014 as vice president of Media. In this role, he is responsible for managing and developing SME Media’s print and digital media products. Prior to joining SME, O’Neil was group publisher of the Life & Health Insurance Group for Summit Professional Networks. There, he successfully launched several new electronic and lead generation products. O’Neil also served as chief executive officer of CK Media LLC from 2006 through 2009. As the CEO of CK Media, he successfully built one of the leading multiplatform businesses in the enthusiast media sector. From 1998 to 2006, O’Neil was the vice president/group publisher of the Primedia Crafts Division. During his term at Primedia, O’Neil built and managed the fastest growing division within the company delivering double-digit revenue and profitability growth. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Illinois.
Smart Manufacturing Leader, Panasonic
Anna V. O’Brien is the Smart Manufacturing Leader at Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America. For over two decades Anna has consulted asset intensive organizations around the globe with their selection and implementation of enterprise software and technology solutions. Her expertise has been a powerful tool utilized by operations teams in Asia, Europe and the US to embrace mobility, automation and digital transformation. Her efforts have enabled organizations to provide superior products and services while optimizing costs, maintaining reliability and ensuring quality.
Director of Operations, Polaris Inc.
Keith Otterstatter joined Polaris in 2003 and currently leads the Project Management Office and Advanced Mfg. Technology Teams. He is responsible for implementation and standardization of new manufacturing technologies along with the execution of large manufacturing capital projects.
Keith holds Bachelors Degree in mechanical engineering and a Masters Degree in Engineering Management.
Co-Founder and CTO, Paperless Parts, Inc.
Scott Sawyer is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Paperless Parts, a software company providing small and mid-sized manufacturers the same tools that big companies spend millions of dollars to build. Scott leads the engineering team creating the industry’s most advanced 3D geometric analysis and pricing engine for smarter, faster, and more consistent estimating and quoting. Prior to founding Paperless Parts, he worked in engineering and leadership roles in consumer electronics and the defense industry. At Lockheed Martin and MIT Lincoln Laboratory, he created technology in the areas of anti-tamper, big data analysis for cybersecurity, and video and radar signal processing, resulting in numerous publications and patents. Scott holds a BSEE from Villanova University and MSEE from the University of Pennsylvania.
Co-founder and CEO, Sight Machine
Jon Sobel is co-founder and CEO of Sight Machine, the leader in real-time use of plant data for both operations and AI. Jon has been working with the adoption of digital technologies by traditional industries for 25 years, and previously served on the management teams of several pioneering technology companies including Tesla, CBS Digital, and Yahoo!.
Editor-in-Chief, The Fabricator
Dan Davis is editor-in-chief of The FABRICATOR, the industry’s most widely circulated metal fabricating and forming magazine, and its sister publications, STAMPING Journal, The Tube & Pipe Journal, and The Welder. He has been with the publications since April 2002.
He has written about U.S. manufacturing trends and issues for more than 20 years. Before coming to The FABRICATOR he has covered appliance manufacturing, the finishing industry, and manufacturing and business software development. As a trade journal editor he has traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe, visiting manufacturing facilities and attending the world’s most important manufacturing events.
He is a 1990 Louisiana State University journalism graduate. He lives with his wife and two children in Crystal Lake, Ill.
Regional Head of Smart Factory Solutions, Bystronic Inc.
Adria Haines has extensive experience in the CAD/CAM market. With an educational background in Computer Science from the University of Cincinnati, Haines began her career developing and supporting CAD/CAM software. She went on to serve as an Application Engineer, demonstrating and implementing CAD/CAM Interoperability projects to Fortune 500 manufacturers, before landing in her favorite role – crafting solutions for customers. Adria has helped companies to learn about Industry 4.0 technologies and how to achieve their digitization goals. Adria is currently the Vice Chair of the FMA’s Software Technology Council.
Chief Technology Officer, ARM Institute
Arnie Kravitz is the CTO of Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM). In this role, Arnie drives ARM’s technical vision to help the organization fulfill its mission of increasing U.S. global competitiveness by accelerating innovative technologies that make robots more accessible to U.S. manufacturers. He achieves this goal, in part, by convening experts and stakeholders from among ARM’s industrial, academic, non-profit and government partners. Arnie has spent over 37 years designing, developing, and manufacturing a large portfolio of products that include aquatic robots, autonomous vehicles, robotic, augmented, and virtual reality vision systems, self-learning inference engine-based systems, commercial consumer electronics, and cryptographic devices. He has taught as an Adjunct Professor at The Johns Hopkins University and has significant experience exploiting emerging tools and techniques to rapidly transform new ideas into manufactured products. Arnie holds a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Senior Director of Robotics Engineering, Kawasaki Robotics (USA), Inc.
Samir Patel, Senior Director of Robotics Engineering at Kawasaki Robotics, has held various engineering and management positions in the automation field. He has knowledge and experience in many facets of Robotics technology – including Systems Integration, Applications development and, Product and Applications Engineering. Samir has a BS and graduate degrees in Mechanical, Electrical, and Robotics and Controls.
Senior Advisor, Technology Research and Planning, FedEx
With nearly 25 years at FedEx, Aaron Prather has developed and deployed numerous technology applications across the FedEx enterprise. From Hub operations in Memphis, Indianapolis, and Oakland, to Courier Operations around the world, he has worked in every corner of FedEx’s day-to-day operations. In his current role as Senior Advisor, Technology Planning & Research, Prather leads efforts to find and deploy new technologies into FedEx operations, including robotics and automation. He sits on the company’s Operations Technology Council which coordinates efforts across all of the FedEx companies. Outside of FedEx, Aaron participates in developing robot standards at the RIA and UL. Through the FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis, he works with universities and colleges in the development of educational programs for the next generation of technologists in logistics. Prather received an MBA from Christian Brothers University and holds a BS from University of Memphis in Geographic Information Science and Cartography.
CEO and Co-Founder, Waypoint Robotics
Jason Walker is the CEO and co-founder of Waypoint Robotics. Prior to founding Waypoint Robotics, Walker was the Vice President of Operations at Stanley Innovation, as well as co-founder and Director of Operations at CyPhy Works, a leading persistent drone company. Walker holds a BS in electrical engineering with a specialization in robotics and control systems from Kansas State University. With over 15 years of experience in the robotics industry, Walker’s accolades include awards for multiple academic robotics competitions, as well as multiple patents for various robot-related technologies.
CEO and Co-Founder, Wibotic
Dr. Ben Waters serves as the CEO and Co-Founder of WiBotic Inc. WiBotic provides autonomous charging hardware and fleet energy management software to charge the rapidly growing ecosystem of aerial, mobile and aquatic robot fleets. In 2015, Dr. Waters co-founded WiBotic to commercialize the wireless charging solutions he developed at the University of Washington. As a graduate student, Dr. Waters developed the FREE-D System – a wireless power system for implanted medical devices called left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Dr. Waters has previously worked with Intel and Bosch. Dr. Waters is a Puget Sound Business Journal 2016 “40 Under 40” honoree.
