Two keynote speakers — an American inventor, entrepreneur and advocate for science and technology, and a top global expert from Caterpillar — will highlight the FabTech International & AWS Welding Show. The show takes place Oct. 6 through Oct. 8 in Las Vegas.

Jim Waters, vice president of the Caterpillar Production System at Caterpillar, will talk about “Embracing the Challenges of Manufacturing in a Global Economy” on Oct. 6.

Waters' presentation will focus on how the world is getting smaller and how companies can embrace the international economy to become stronger and more successful. Waters will talk about ways to take advantage of the competitive challenge that global competition offers.

Waters is leading an enterprise transformation of manufacturing systems at Caterpillar to help set a “gold standard” for quality, safety and speed in industry. He provides leadership to this enterprise effort by drawing on his strong systems and process skills as well as his product and manufacturing management experience gained in Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Waters joined Caterpillar in 1978 and hold a patent, which he received in 1985, for algorithms related to adaptive welding.

On Oct. 7, Dean Kamen, an inventor and entrepreneur, the founder of FIRST and the president of DEKA Research & Development Corp., will deliver a presentation on “Inspiring Future Generations to Lead the World in Innovation.”

Kamen will talk about the importance of getting youth excited about careers in science, technology and engineering and cultivating an environment that encourages creativity and risk-taking. Kamen also will talk about his belief that innovation is the key to keeping U.S. manufacturing competitive in a global economy.

Kamen holds more than 440 U.S. and foreign patents for innovative devices that have expanded the frontiers of health care worldwide. His inventions include the first wearable insulin pump for diabetics, a portable peritoneal dialysis machine, and the Segway Human Transporter

Kamen also founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an organization dedicated to motivating the next generation to understand, use and enjoy science and technology.

The FabTech International & AWS Welding Show is cosponsored by the American Welding Society, Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International and Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and is supported by industry partner the National Association of Manufacturers. It is the largest event in North America dedicated to metal forming, fabricating, stamping, tube and pipe, and welding equipment and technology.