Konrad Wegener has been Full Professor of production technology and machine tools of ETH Zurich Konrad Wegener is since 1st of August 2023 Senior Advisor of the Swiss technology transfer center inspire AG. From October 2003 til July 2023 he was full professor and head of the IWF (Institut of machine tools and manufacturing) at ETH Zurich and headed different sections of inspire AG. Fields of research are today optimization of machine tools, cyber-physical production systems, cutting technology, additive manufacturing, laser material processing and electro discharge machining. He is fellow of the CIRP. After his studies in mechanical engineering and PHD in Braunschweig 1990 he began his industrial career at Schuler Presses GmbH & Co. KG in Göppingen as head of design and layout planning departments. In 1999 he became general manager of a newly acquired company for laser systems. Under his leadership large welding machines for shipbuilding and construction of aeroplanes, welding and cutting machines for the automotive industry and cutters for fabric have been developed and built.           

Natalia Szczotkarz is a doctor at the University of Zielona Góra, Poland. She participated in the project on "Modeling of problems related to hydrodynamics of nanoparticles-filled active medium formation during machining in minimum quantity cooling and lubricating conditions" from 2020 to 2023, which allowed her to gain experience in the field of preparing nanofluids, the measurements of surface topography and its analysis, leading to several publications regarding those topics. She specialises in eco-friendly MQL cooling method, the use of nanofluids as cutting fluids for turning and their impact on surface quality and tool wear.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Jan Michael Olaf is Professor and Director of the Study Center of IT Management and Computer Science at Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) in Loerrach (Germany) since 2015. He has a degree in Physics from Freiburg University preparing his diploma thesis on measuring voltages and currents in the OPAL Jet chamber at CERN in Geneva. In his PhD thesis at Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials in Freiburg he investigated the mechanical properties of thin surface coatings and micromechanical systems. He spent 20 years in Electronic Industry in various management positions before he restarted his academic career at DHBW in Loerrach. His presentation covers the application of artificial intelligence methods for analysing acoustic emission spectra in surface treatment processes.

prof. Dr. Ir. Gabriëlle Tuijthof was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1975. She graduated cum laude in Mechanical Engineering at Delft University of Technology in 1998, specializing in human-machine systems. Her PhD thesis, which was completed both at Delft University of Technology in Delft and at the Amsterdam University Medical Center (location AMC) in Amsterdam, researched the development of new surgical techniques for exploratory surgery in joints. "I am passionate about the human body; especially the musculoskeletal structures have my interest. It is fascinating to discover how well humans are adapted to perform complex precise actions. With this interest and the drive to contribute meaningfully to society. The sharing of my knowledge I value highly, which is expressed in my active involvement in education of engineering and design courses and supervision of students. Also, I contributed to the development of various bachelor and master programmes at Delft University of Technology, Zuyd University of Applied Science and Maastricht University.                       

Joanna Lisowicz is doctor at Department of Manufacturing Techniques and Automation at Rzeszów University of Technology. Joanna Lisowicz conducted research cooperation with companies from the aviation industry which allowed her to gain experience in the field of machining of materials used in aerospace. Keynote will be focused on "Machinability of materials used in aerospace industry". Above-average requirements are placed on the materials used in production of aircrafts. They must be not only strong, but also light and resistant to abrasion in order to reduce the weight of aircraft and minimize fuel consumption. However, due to their properties, materials used in aerospace are also known as difficult-to-cut materials. Challenges arising during machining and ways to improve machinability will be presented during the speech.

Prof. Munish Kumar Gupta from India, who started his research at the Opole University of Technology two years ago, has decided to extend his stay in Opole. Although Poland was not the first foreign country for him to pursue his career, it was with the Opole University of Technology that he decided to stay longer. Prof. Munish Kumar Gupta is involved in tribology and sustainable manufacturing. Before coming to Opole, he conducted research and taught for two years at the prestigious Shandong University in Jinan, China.