By Neil Thompson
CAMX came to San Diego, and I was there to take it in.
What’s CAMX you ask?
It’s the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo, an annual event jointly put on by the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) and the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE).
A SAMPE member who was a member of a group I used to run mentioned CAMX during one of our virtual meetings. When I saw that CAMX was coming to the San Diego Convention Center, I decided to attend.
Also, I was a Materials Engineering major in college, so it was cool to see what some of that book learning looks like in the real world.
For instance, I sat in on a presentation on ultrasonic testing. Did you know that ultrasonic testing is the one of the most commonly used methods for inspecting composites? A non-destructive inspection method that uses high-frequency sound waves, it is often used to detect internal defects like delaminations, voids, and crack in composites. The waves enter the material and reflect back when they hit a surface or a defect. The time it takes for the wave to reflect back is analyzed to assess a material’s thickness, porosity, and structural integrity.
I sat in another session about kids and childcare. The Women in Composites group hosted a panel on the issues that working parents have with finding childcare. One of the panelists, Eric Cutler, represented TOOTRIS, a digital platform that connects parents with childcare providers. Two representatives from Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) were also on the panel (MTM partners with TOOTRIS to find childcare providers for its employees, many of whom are shift workers). TOOTRIS even helps potential childcare providers meet licensing requirements. Childcare and composites. Didn’t think I’d be writing about both in the same article!
There was also a demo station in the exhibit hall. I got to see a robotic arm sand a composite board. With the click of a few buttons, the robotic arm is programmed to sand the board at a certain speed in a specific configuration. I also saw another composite board being primed while under vacuum – all automated.
To top it all off, remember the SAMPE member I mentioned earlier? I got to meet her, Melissa Jaime, at the conference. It was great to catch up over churros!
I’m so appreciative of all the technical conferences that come through San Diego. These conferences often also lead to other opportunities. At CAMX, I found out about ACMA’s Emerging Leadership Program, which will offer year long programming to enhance participants’ leadership skills. Does a partnership with Teach the Geek make sense? We shall see…
Ultrasonic testing. Childcare. Demos. Potential opportunities. CAMX 2024 was a dynamic blend of technology, innovation, and human connection. From learning about the latest advancements in ultrasonic testing and watching cutting-edge composite demos to engaging in conversations about the challenges faced by working parents, the conference offered a holistic view of both industry progress and personal development. I’m glad I was there to absorb it all.
SANDSWA 