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The Society of
Aircraft Material and Process Engineers was formed in 1944 by nine Southern California
aerospace professionals concerned with the scarcity of materials and the resulting need to
economize. They believed that a network of material and process engineers would provide
the best means for information exchange and prevent duplication of effort among companies
working toward a common goal. They arranged a meeting with the most prominent Southern
California material and process engineers to discuss the formation of such a society. The
group met monthly to discuss mutual technical problems. Plastics became a special
emphasis, as these were new materials in need of significant technical documentation.
Between 1944 and 1959, 15 SAMPEŽ chapters were formed in various parts of the USA.
With the
dawning of the Space Age in the late 1950's, members agreed that the best way to obtain an
interchange of new material and process information was to form a nationwide organization.
Additionally, to reflect its efforts in the Space Age, the national SAMPEŽ organization
was formed and renamed the Society of Aerospace Material and Process Engineers. In its
first year as a national organization, the steering committee laid the groundwork for a
national symposium, and established local chapter scholarship programs and activities
committees. They then developed SAMPEŽ's bylaws, charter, and articles of incorporation
which were refined throughout the 1960's. SAMPEŽ's organization efforts in the previous
decade resulted in a landmark accomplishment for the society: its first national symposium
held in October 1961. This symposium encompassed all aspects of a new reinforced plastics
process called "filament winding." This process continues to be used and
improved upon today. SAMPEŽ became recognized as the reinforced plastics society as a
result of the symposium. As boron and graphite fibers were invented and advanced, and a
subset of reinforced plastics came to be known as "composites," SAMPEŽ
continued to address the progress being made. In the late 1960's, SAMPEŽ held its first
Technical Conference. The Conference and Symposia, which take place every Fall and Spring,
respectively, have grown to a total yearly attendance of as much as 10,000 professionals.
SAMPEŽ's ever-increasing value to the technical community became evident in the 1960's
with the growth of the society's publications. The SAMPEŽ Newsletter, established in
1961, grew from seven to 24 pages within two years due to member-generated technical
papers. As the newsletter continued to grow, it was transformed into the SAMPEŽ Journal,
a bimonthly publication containing technical papers, editorial features, and international
and local SAMPEŽ information. Because the fields of material and process engineering were
changing rapidly in 1969, the society introduced a purely technical publication, the
SAMPEŽ Quarterly (renamed the Journal of Advanced Materials in October 1993). At that
time, SAMPEŽ also initiated the sale of its Symposium and Technical Conferences
proceedings to various institutions such as libraries and universities. SAMPEŽ Broadens
its Horizon In 1973, the organization's name was changed to The Society for the
Advancement of Material and Process Engineering, reflecting membership growth beyond the
aerospace industry. The 1980's brought about unprecedented growth. The first non-USA
chapter was founded in Europe. Attendance at the International SAMPEŽ Technical
Conference doubled. The International SAMPEŽ Symposium attendance nearly tripled. The
decade closed with membership reaching the 12,000 mark.
As of March
1995, there were 36 professional member chapters (10 of which are located outside the US)
and 47 student chapter affiliates. At present, there are two overseas student chapters.
SAMPEŽ is governed by an Executive Cabinet of volunteers elected from its members. A
Board of Directors representing the professional chapters oversees the Cabinet. Day to day
operations of the Society are run by a paid professional staff located at the
International Business Office in Covina, California. The professional chapters are
governed similarly by volunteers elected by the local membership. Two foreign chapters,
Europe and Japan, are so large that an International Vice President from the chapter
presides over the chapter and is a part of the Executive Cabinet. The professional
chapters sponsor the student chapters, guiding these young people in their professional
development and supplying information on this area of technology. SAMPEŽ has recognized,
with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the decline in the military budget, etc., that
material and process engineering must be broadened from the somewhat narrow base of
defense/aerospace to include all phases of commercial/industrial activities where products
containing these materials could be used. In order to promote market diversification,
SAMPEŽ is increasing dissemination of information about the actual and potential use of
this technology in industries not normally considered as fertile fields for this
technology. These include land transportation, construction, marine, biomedical and
medical, sports and recreation, and industrial applications. It is SAMPEŽ's opinion that
the well being and career development of its members as well as the industry by which they
are employed requires that technology transfer be successful.
SAMPE's impact
on the technical community is largely due to its international and regional symposia and
conferences. As SAMPEŽ's interests and membership base broadened, so has the scope of its
meetings. Today, topics include composites, metals, ceramics, fabrication processes,
polymers, reinforcements, adhesives, testing and analysis, and environmental issues. A
strong emphasis on the market aspects of this technology has been introduced in recent
years so that the information provided is not only technically pertinent but also provides
an insight into where and how it might be used in increasing the breadth of the
technology. The International Symposium, which is part of the Symposium and Exhibition, is
an annual event held in the Spring in the USA. A European Symposium is also held annually.
A Japan Symposium occurs biannually and takes place in late November or early December.
Both the European and Japanese Symposia are held concurrently with an Exhibition.
The
International SAMPEŽ Technical Conference is an annual event held in the Fall. Although
there is no Exhibition held concurrent therewith, in recent years, tabletop displays by
industry have been part of the conference.
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