The annual business meeting for AILU job shop members dealing with topical subjects in the laser sub-contract sector. An opportunity to learn, to network and to discuss the major issues of the day.
A Message from the Chair of the JS SIG
The primary purpose of the annual ‘JS’ series of business meetings is to provide an event of value and interest to laser job shops and to facilitate trust between businesses that compete, in order for them to work together on topics of common interest or concern. The first of these took place in 2001 and never have they been more important than in the last few difficult years for us all.
The strength and the benefits of the job shop group grows with the number of members we have and this year we aim to make it bigger by inviting a lot of the jobshops who haven’t joined AILU yet to come along and see for themselves the benefits of belonging to a friendly group of competitors.
The theme of JS 2011 is ‘How to make the best of the economic recovery’ and the job shop committee has set up several talks specifically aimed at how laser job shops can save money and improve sales. Topics include: The pros and cons of nitrogen generators (as compared with buying nitrogen off a supplier); saving money by looking after and refurbishing optics; what’s so good about laser steels (and are they worth the extra cost); should you buy a fibre laser cutting machine or stick with CO2, how do gas prices and the quality of machine servicing compare between suppliers? We also have some short commercial presentations including a software developer from Australia who is going to tell us about automated quotation systems for job shops.
In the afternoon we bring together a panel of job shops in a question and answer session to debate the issue of maximising profitability: it may sound odd to discuss such things with competitors but we don’t give detailed information. For example, we may compare the financial services offered by our banks and variations in steel prices. Everyone involved gets useful information – and you develop a group of contacts to ring up if, for example, you can’t get hold of 20mm steel from your supplier before next week and need to borrow a sheet.
Sounds like an old boys network? – it is – come and join us!
John Powell Laser Expertise
Job Shop Group Chair 2010/12
PROGRAMME
09:30 - 10:00 Registration and refreshments
10.00 - 11:05 Presentations
Introduction to the meeting
John Powell Chair of the AILU Job Shop Group
Nitrogen generation as a low cost alternative for use in laser processing
Carlos Gonzalez-Lee, Manufacturing Service Solutions Ltd
Looking after and repairing your laser optics
Mark Wilkinson, Laser Beam Products
Laser processing of high strength steels
Heikki Kinnunen and Terry Craven, Rukki UK
11:05 - 11:35 Refreshments
11:35 - 12:45 Presentations
A jobshop’s comparison of fibre and CO2 lasers – Economics, profits and costs.
John Powell, Laser Expertise
2011 Surveys: gas cost and service satisfaction surveys
Members of the job shop committee
Something new: short commercial presentations
ipLaser: A quotation solution for laser job shops
Peter Olle, ipLaser, Australia
Laser v waterjet: the latest developments
Dave Larcombe, Bystronic UK
Latest machines for job shops
Gerry Jones, Trumpf UK
Today’s Technology: Salvagnini Fibre lasers
Steve Williams, Salvagnini UK
A framework for servitized solution design
Gokula Vasantha, Cranfield University
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Question time
Maximising the profitability of your job shop
A panel of 4 jobshop owners lead a question and answer session. –
Dave Lindsey, John Powell, Dean Cockayne and Dennis Kent
15:00 Close
TRUMPF
President Way
Airport Executive Park
LUTON
Bedfordshire
LU2 9NL
(T: 0844 482 0188)
Ample car parking is available.
On arrival you will receive a delegate pack containing a name badge, a detailed programme and a delegate list. The pack will also include a name and password for downloading PDFs of the presentations, which will be made available on the AILU web site as soon as possible after the event.
A buffet lunch (including vegetarian options) will be provided courtesy of Trumpf, together with refreshments throughout the day. Please advise us of special dietary needs.
The meeting is only open to AILU members; but an AILU membership form is included as part of the flyer, with a special offer of FREE registration for JS 2011 for anyone taking a year’s membership.
Registration fee GBP 75.00 + VAT; including lunch and refreshments.
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Register before 15 September and pay only GBP 60 + VAT
Members: The simplest way to register is by phoning (01235 539595) or emailing (courses@ailu.org.uk) the AILU office with your name. We will invoice you.
Alternatively, complete a registration form (Click here to download) and mail (address below), fax (01235 550499) or email (courses@ailu.org.uk) the completed form to the AILU office.
If you wish another employee can attend in your place simply let us know; there is no extra charge.
For group discounts (three or more) please contact the AILU office.
If you wish to bring a non-member as a guest, this is permitted;however, please contact the AILU office.
To find the venue by car: from M1 Junction 10 or A1M Junction 8, take the A505 and follow the Airport signs. At the Ibis hotel, turn left. Follow straight over the next roundabout and then first left. Get a map here
There are many hotels in the area. Most of the JS Committee will be staying and eating the night before at the Premier Inn, Luton Airport. Delegates are warmly invited to join them for an informal dinner: please let the AILU office know if you plan to attend.