A fast-changing industry has enabled the 32e edition of IMTS to break all records: registration record with 129,415 visitors, exhibition space record with 132,000 m², exhibitor record with 2,563 companies represented. IMTS 2018 took place from September 10 to 15 at Chicago's McCormick Place. " Connectivity, digital transformation in manufacturing, automation, additive manufacturing and a strong economy generated record numbers at IMTS 2018says Peter R. Eelman, AMT Vice-President of Exhibitions and Business Development. Digitization has collided with a robust manufacturing industry to create our most dynamic show to date. ". Historically, the years between IMTS have led to incremental improvements to the machine, which are now reaching physical limits. " The speed of change has become different "observes Tim Shinbara - AMT Vice-President - Manufacturing Technology.
A growing trade show
Notable areas of growth at IMTS 2018 included the additive manufacturing pavilion, which attracted 51 exhibitors, a strong partnership with Hannover Messe USA and its four co-located shows with 510 exhibitors.
" IMTS saw an unprecedented degree of collaboration between exhibitors to develop additive manufacturing, automation and connected systems. "explains Peter Eelman. By way of example, he mentions the deal between 3D Systems and GF Machining, with its DMP Factory 500 metal 3D printing system unveiled to the public on the first day of the show.
Scott Harms, founder and president of MetalQuest Unlimited, has been attending IMTS since 1996. After three days at the show, he was working on quotes for a loading/unloading robot, a shop floor CMM with automation package, planning software and smart factory technology." There are so many ways to adapt automation that can make our operations more efficient, and they're all present at IMTS 2018explains Scott Harms, who came with a team of 11 people. We've spent more time at the show this year, and it's still not enough. Technology is at an all-time high. "
" The machines you see at IMTS 2018 are evolving at the speed of digital technology. They're able to take files and create something you've imagined "explains LM Industries CEO and co-founder John B. Rogers, Jr. The IMTS 2018 slogan says it best: "Where dreams and reality meet". That's why we launched a vehicle manufacturing company like Local Motors, where we could think about them, print them and deploy them. " Olli, the 3D-printed autonomous shuttle, provided more than 1,400 rides at IMTS 2018.
Two centers for emerging technologies
With digital technology, the pace of change makes it difficult to fully understand the possibilities. IMTS 2018 directly addressed this issue with AMT's Emerging Technology Center (ETC) on digital transformation, which included demonstrations of the impact of new science on manufacturing.
IMTS 2018 will be seen as the year of digital transformation, as evidenced by an automated cell linking a Hurco CNC, a Universal Robot arm and a Coordinate Measuring Machine Hexagon using the MTConnect standard.
" MTConnect is the cornerstone of intelligent systems and decision-making based on data rather than instinct "explains Peter Eelman. Instead of asking: 'What is a connected system?', visitors now say to exhibitors: 'Your systems use MTConnect, don't they?
Paul Gray, Hurco's R & D Manager, notes that the only connection required between the machines is an Ethernet cable. " Simple connectivity and software communication overcome a major hurdle for workshops focusing on high-mix, low-volume and even custom parts. "he explains.
Advances in additive manufacturing
" Additive manufacturing is one of the most revolutionary technologies ever introduced at IMTS, and this is reflected in the Emerging Technologies Center, which focuses on additive manufacturing "explains Peter Eelman.
To demonstrate its speed and versatility, Oak Ridge National Laboratory has created a " a matrix in a day "This involved four development stages: printing the die at Lincoln Electric, machining the printed die at Mazak, molding part of the die at IACMI, and 3D laser printing the part at Quality Vision International.
" Traditionally, molds take at least six weeks to make, and cost tens of thousands of dollars.said Lonnie Love, robotics and automation group leader at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Every day, we demonstrate the ability to go from digital to real production in less than 10 hours. This technology has practical uses that manufacturers can use now. "
Additive manufacturing is growing exponentially
Numerous companies chose IMTS 2018 to showcase their high-volume additive manufacturing systems, including HP and EOS. Stephen Nigro, President of 3D Printing, presented the HP Metal Jet printer. Designed for high-volume production, the HP Metal Jet Printer is 50 times more productive than any other binderjet or laser printer. EOS launched the M 300-4 system, a multi-laser metal 3D printing system designed for industrial digital additive manufacturing.
More than any other technology at IMTS, additive manufacturing represents an opportunity for small companies and start-ups, both American and foreign, to make themselves known to a wide audience and develop their dreams.
Austin Kron, Business Development Manager for first-time exhibitor BeAM Machines Inc, Strasbourg, France, believes that additive manufacturing will continue to generate creation and growth as it industrializes, meeting the production levels required by manufacturing.
" Every building at McCormick Place was equipped with additive manufacturing technologyexplains Peter Eelman. Four years ago, when we produced the Strati vehicle at the show, large-scale technology was a novelty. At IMTS 2018, the technology was part of the manufacturing processes used to produce elements of the IMTS set design. "
Caption: Douglas K. Woods, President of AMT, and Jochen Koeckler, CEO of Deutsche Messe, opened IMTS 2018. The strong partnership between AMT and HANNOVER MESSE USA led to record results at IMTS 2018.
Learn more: www.imts.com