Tue, 27 July, 2021
TWI was represented at the 74th IIW Annual Assembly and International Conference in July 2021.
The event was held online due to the ongoing uncertainty around international COVID-19 travel restrictions. While this prevented people from being able to meet in person, the virtual nature of the assembly and conference allowed more technical experts to attend and share their knowledge and ideas.
TWI was joined by other delegates from the UK, including Lincoln Electric, Cambridge Vacuum Engineering and the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Centre/University of Sheffield, with several TWI staff involved as voting delegates on most of the commissions. In addition, TWI Technology Manager, Geoff Melton chaired the Commission VIII meetings on health and safety and environment and Channa Nageswaran chaired the presentations on ultrasonic testing of welds in Commission V, which this year were focused on the use of artificial intelligence technologies.
This year’s event saw the IIW return to their traditions, with a programme enriched with content to meet the needs of the virtual assembly, including presentations, discussions, knowledge sharing and interaction between attendees. There was also the development of documents and best practice.
The event incorporated the International Conference and opening and award ceremonies as well as a closing event, with the programme including:
- 7 July: IIW General Assembly and Opening & Awards ceremony
- 8 July: IIW International Conference
- 9 July: Preliminary and administrative meetings
- 12-17 July: Meetings of IIW Technical Working Units (Commissions and Study Groups) and IAB
- 16 July: Closing Ceremony
- 19-21 July: Meetings of Administrative Units
The 4-hour International Conference on the topic of ‘Artificial Intelligence to innovate Welding and Joining,’ included a keynote speech and a full set of presentations on the theme as well as a panel discussion where attendees could interact with the experts and presenters.
The conference also saw the launch of the IIW’s Welded Art Photographic Exhibition, which included contributions from TWI.
You can find out more about the IIW here. If you are interested in getting involved in the IIW, please contact your national member organisation – for the UK, please email, kate.day@iiwelding.net.