Seminar Instructors & Sponsors

Instructors

James M. “Jay” Waddell - founding partner and key management principal of Plastic Concepts & Innovations, LLC, Senior Member of SME and SPE, a Member of SPE Thermoforming Division Board of Directors since 1994, Chair of two SPE Thermoforming annual conferences, served 23 years in the military, and the same number of years in heavy-gauge thermoforming – has extensive work in the development of Class-A thermoformed interior and exterior products, in the development of PVF and PVDF film technology in heavy-gauge thermoforming, and the use of TPOs in exterior and interior applications in Automotive, Marine, and RV.

E. L. “Ed” Bearse – has been a member of SAE, Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, and SPE. He has won awards from many groups, including Amoco, Allen Group and OMC. He started at GM’s Automotive Pilot and Research Division then went out on his own, focusing on Gelcoat-, FRP-, metal- and paint-replacement with thermoforming. He also specialized in forming very large, deep draw, and Class-A finish vacuum-formed parts. He developed many products, unique vacuum-forming systems, low-cost reinforcement systems for large vacuum-formed parts, and ceramic tooling with, or without, temperature controls.

Richard Freeman* - has been thermoforming for over 35 years, the last 30 with Freetech Plastics in Fremont, California. His experience providing pressure-formed products in the close tolerance, technically demanding, and highly competitive, environment of Silicon Valley has led to a number of innovations and gives him a unique perspective on production, quality, marketing, and design issues. Rich’s articles, company and products have been featured in Plastics Engineering, Appliance Manufacturer, Innovation, Machine Design, Plastic News, Mechanical Engineering, and International Designer to name a few. Considered one of the founders of the west coast style of thermoforming, he’s been regularly featured on SPE programs both in the USA and in Europe. Freetech’s products have won numerous industry awards including the 1996 and 1999 Peoples Choice Awards, the thermoforming industry’s top prize. Freetech has provided the pressure-formed parts for seven ID Magazine award winners and has worked hard to make the industrial design community aware of thermoforming possibilities. Rich has been an active member of the SPE Thermoforming Division Board of Directors since 1991. He developed and is currently responsible for the Thermoforming Division’s web page and Machinery Grant program. (*Note: Selected seminars only)<< Back