IMTS Opens Today in Chicago

By Michael Degan, Fluid Power Journal Editor.

The 33rd International Manufacturing Technology Show, which organizers call the largest and longest-running industry trade show in the Western Hemisphere, opens today at Chicago’s McCormick Place and runs through Saturday.

The biennial trade show, sponsored by the Association for Manufacturing Technology, draws industry professionals exhibiting innovations in digital and traditional manufacturing. Attendees experience more than 15,000 new machining technologies for processes to solve manufacturing challenges and improve efficiency.

More than 2,000 exhibits cover nine pavilions dedicated to various technologies:

• Abrasive Machining/ Sawing/Finishing
• Additive Manufacturing
• Controls & CAD-CAM
• Fabricating & Lasers
• Gear Generation
• Machine Components/Cleaning /Environmental
• Metal Removal
• Quality Assurance
• Tooling & Workholding Systems

Programs and conferences

There are a number of special events and conferences for attendees when they’re not visiting exhibits. Among them is the Emerging Technology Center, where “the focus turns to the forward-thinking manufacturing efforts driving outer space projects for long-term presence on the moon and deep space exploration,” according to the IMTS website.

A two-day specialty program on job shops takes place Monday and Tuesday. The program looks at tools and strategies needed to tackle workforce development and retention, the digitization of the job shop, and marketing in manufacturing. Lunch and networking breakouts are included. Panel discussions focus on implementing digital manufacturing technologies and workforce best practices. An industry roundtable discusses marketing in manufacturing.

The Women Make Manufacturing Move specialty program celebrates the women driving the future of manufacturing with curated sessions, meet-ups, and receptions to “inspire women in our manufacturing technology community through networking and business.” The program begins with a Monday night reception, plus events on Wednesday and Friday.

The inaugural Smarter Sourcing Symposium, presented by the Onshoring Project, offers strategies for sounder and more financially beneficial North American part production. Addressed to OEMs, tier suppliers, and contract manufacturers, attendees will see first-hand demonstrations and panel discussions on domestic sourcing using lean and agile suppliers.

The IMTS Investor Forum connects attendees with advanced manufacturing experts who demystify the manufacturing technology industry, offering tools that help identify opportunities. Curated, guided tours of the trade show floor offer an inside experience with the industry from start-ups and industry insiders.

The IMTS 2022 Conference presents 71 sessions on a range of topics, including process innovation, plant operations, quality inspection, and automation.

Special events

A number of special events are scheduled throughout the week.

At the Smart Manufacturing Hub, attendees can join discussions about the smart manufacturing movement and “the future of making things” through the Internet of Things and Big Data.

LATAM Night brings together Spanish-speaking IMTS attendees from around the world, in-country associations, and product experts from IMTS exhibitors to exchange ideas and create new synergies.

The AM4U Area features talks about adopting industrial AM into the production process, as well as entrepreneurship and business models.

The LIVE LAB delivers expert knowledge, hands-on experiences, and interactive technology. Featured technologies focus on the connected factory, digital twin, big data, AI, and machine learning through presentations, Deep-Dive walk-up stations, and interactive technology displays that will help you forge a roadmap to the future of manufacturing.

At the Smartforce Student Summit, IMTS exhibitors host hands-on activities for students to experience the manufacturing technology of the future – from 3D printing and robotics to CAD/CAM design, metal cutting, and the digital factory. The summit is free and open to students, their parents, and educators at all levels.

The Miles for Manufacturing M4M Run/Walk provides an opportunity for exercise while benefiting a good cause! The recipient schools prepare young men and women for success in lifelong learning and work by providing them with customized learning programs in selected career pathways based on their interests, offering programs in CNC machining, CAD, and welding, along with courses in automotive repair and computer design.

For more information about IMTS, visit www.imts.com/.

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