Kevin Carey

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Dennis Garrity, head of the DREC steering committee, announced the final details for the Diecutting Resource Exposition & Conference (DREC), which will be held in Kansas City, on Tuesday, Oct. 30; in Denver on Friday, Nov. 2; and in Salt Lake City on Monday, Nov. 5. This free one-day education, information, and problem-solving workshop has 18 exhibitors; two industry expert session leaders in Clint Medlock and Kevin Carey; and a technical solutions clinic combined with new products, new materials, and new techniques. For more information about this opportunity and to register call 1-800-227-7528, or visit www.drec.org

DieInfo announced the release of a free downloadable monthly training publication for the diemaker, the diecutter, and the converting professional. The publication can be accessed and downloaded directly from the company Web site, at www.dieinfo.com, or by e-mailing Kevin Carey at kevin@dieinfo.com. The publication—which focuses on tips, techniques, ideas, and solutions in diemaking, diecutting, and converting training—is published monthly and in full color and utilizes clear illustrations and graphics to support each technical article. The ABC publication, intended to supplement process improvement, training, and problem solving, with a “back-to-basics” approach, should be distributed to the CAD-CAM, diemaking, pre-press, and diecutting work teams. Further information,

While its design capabilities are constantly evolving, the modern CAD/CAM system has yet to reach its potential as part of the manufacturing process. by Jessica Millward, Associate Editor THE FUTURE OF Computer Aided Design extends far beyond the lines and angles of a diecut pattern. As the converting industry strives to maximize efficiency within the manufacturing process, the communication among all information systems driving production becomes critical. While CAD/CAM systems continue to improve graphic and design capabilities, the ultimate hope for CAD technology is its complete integration with the other information systems employed in packaging manufacture. The big picture "A well-designed CAD/CAM system

By Kevin Carey, Diecutting Information Exchange Traditionally, ingenuity and individual invention led to product and service development, the creation of commercial opportunity, and an evolutionary change in consumer taste. As Thomas Edison observed: "No one asked me to invent the light bulb. "However, in a highly competitive global marketplace, in which consumers dictate volatile, short lived trends and demand faster and faster new product development, rapid technological innovation is essential to survival. In the diemaking and the diecutting industry the scope of change and the pace of transformation from old to new technology is accelerating. Fortunately, the diecutting process, although subject to progressive automation,