MT Magazine January/February 2023

IMTS

AUTOMATION ISSUE

22

Trippin’ in Chicago

‘Road Trippin’ with Steve,’ Special Edition. BY MICHELLE EDMONSON VICE PRESIDENT, EXHIBITIONS

He’s got a race car, some top-notch bourbon, a camera crew, access to world-class manufacturing technology,

a distillery in downtown Chicago that’s serving up organic spirits. Housed in a former metal fabrication facility, KOVAL uses automation and machine monitoring to make their process repeatable. The result? A high-quality beverage every time, whether they’re making Chicago bourbon, coffee liquor, or cranberry gin. Steve and his team certainly liked the product and the technology behind it. Dr. Robert Birnecker and Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart, the husband-and-wife team behind KOVAL, showed Steve how a small operation can guarantee consistency using big data. Distilling is a complex process with myriad variables. KOVAL’s answer to this problem was to install monitors on every piece of equipment and connect it all to a central communication system.

and a license to make mischief. Stephen LaMarca is back, and he was all over Chicago in the lead-up to IMTS 2022. Tune in for all his misadventures in the new special edition of “Road Trippin’ with Steve,” brought to you by EOS. The special two-episode series begins with Steve – and his colossal Pit Viper sunglasses – cruising around Chicago in the IMTS Rally Fighter, which now features a new wrap design. There’s plenty of engine revving, a peek under the hood, and a minor parking crisis. And a detour. There’s always a detour. After finally parking the Rally Fighter, Steve heads to KOVAL,