ARPM to offer rubber products training sessions in March, July

INDIANAPOLIS—The Association for Rubber Products Manufacturers will conduct two, in-person training courses on advanced rubber component manufacturing this March and this July.

The first session will be in Chicago March 4-6, with the topic "Advanced Rubber Product Manufacturing Technologies Training," at Ice Miller's Chicago facility.

The second course will begin July 15, "Seals Product Design and Manufacturing Training." This summer course is a week-long training course at Ice Miller's Columbus, Ohio, facility.

Registration for both in-person training sessions—offered through the ARPM Training Academy—is open now at https://arpminc.com/events/.

The three-day Chicago session will focus on "the elimination of variation associated with the initial design of the rubber article and rubber compound, through the control of the compound's consistency and manufacturing process."

The course will comprise lectures and demonstrations on advanced manufacturing technologies, from chemical weigh-up through compound production and automated component-making and inspection.

"The course will focus on radical technologies ... regarding the manufacturing of rubber articles," said Joe Walker, training architect for ARPM and lead trainer. "What we are doing in this session is showing how these advanced rubber manufacturing technologies can improve the bottom line.

"All attendees need to bring is an open mind and to envision what's possible."

Specifically, the March 4-6 course is for shop floor production planning, establishing manufacturing processes and centering on engineering, management, materials and products, and recipe design for compounds (and associated quality).

ARPM began in 2010 and is managed by rubber business leaders. The association has more than 100 members who benefit from programs, networking and other services.

The ARPM Training Academy provides training for the entire work force, from the entry level machine operators to skilled engineering professionals.

One of ARPM's flagship gatherings, the EHS Summit, will be conducted this year Aug. 7-8 in Indianapolis.