MT Magazine May/June 2022

IMTS

MAY/JUNE 2022

21

Why Is IMTS 2022 the Place for Job Shops? BY PETER EELMAN CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER

In North America, industries ranging from automotive and aerospace to agriculture, construction, and medical depend on job shops because the parts they make are in everything

metrology. Just as CNC manufacturers will debut “robot-ready” machining centers, quality assurance exhibitors are making sure that their measurement machines can communicate with robots to enable automated part load/unload to improve product iv it y. Metrology exhibitors are unveiling a host of new products to optimize workf low, improve manufacturability, and increase quality. Advances in CAD-CAM software and simulation are empowering manufacturers to be even more productive by simplifying CNC operations. The digital twin in CAD-CAM and simulation software is driving change by streamlining work for programmers and machinists alike. As a solutions-based show for a solutions-based industry, dozens of more products will be on display for tooling, workholding, abrasive machining, fabr icat ing, gear generation, and cleaning. Practical Learning and Networking The IMTS Specialty Program: Job Shops featuring MMS Top Shops is exclusively designed to offer job shop stakeholders learning opportunities to excel, connect, and manufacture. This program offers keynote speakers, industry panel sessions, roundtable discussions, top shops data, benchmarking metrics, and industry outlooks. It also includes special workshops on how job shops can incorporate additive manufacturing and information on the supply chain. Find solutions from industry experts and your peers. See It All at IMTS 2022 From Sept. 12-17, job shop owners, managers, and their employees can experience the incredible advances in manufacturing that can lead to new levels of efficiencies and prosperity, gain insight from industry experts, and expand their networks to form new partnerships. I urge you to register now at IMTS.com/register. Your customers, their customers, your suppliers, your employees, your family – everyone depends on you. You make things happen. You buy efficiently, invest wisely, sell fairly, and make reasonable profits. Sometimes, to be effective, you need to step away from the pressure of day-to day doing and immerse yourself in innovative possibilities. IMTS is where you can dream big about the “what ifs” and set the stage for the future of your business success.

we use. Year after year, our data reveals that 15% of IMTS visitors are from job shops or contract manufacturers – the vital backbone of manufacturing. In recognition of the importance of job shops and small manufacturing businesses, IMTS is committed to making the show a valuable experience for job shop owners and the people who work in them. IMTS 2022 offers job shop stakeholders the technology, new products, practical learning, and networking opportunities that will grow their businesses and profit margins, make them more resilient, and help them adapt to changing markets and workforce challenges. Technology and New Products Digital manufacturing will be prominent throughout IMTS 2022, thanks to the technologies that bridge the gap between the digital and physical. As job shops contend with workforce and supply challenges to compete globally, they are aggressively adopting digital manufacturing processes and products, which are encapsulated within traditional machines that use automation and robotics, additive manufacturing, metrology, augmented and virtual reality, digital twin, generative design, and more. Exhibitors will be showing off plenty of augmented CNC machines with digitally connected automation and robotics systems to enable a new generation of multi-tasking machines. Another trend in CNC systems is the single-setup concept. Multi-tasking machines combine cutting with turning, milling, drilling, tapping, deep-hole boring, hobbing, skiving, broaching, grinding, and surface preparation. Hybrid multi-tasking machines add laser hybrid, friction stir welding, additive, and hot wire EDM. By performing all work in a single clamping, these machines cut setup time, eliminate the risk of losing zero when parts move between workstations, and free operators to perform other tasks. One of the fastest growing segments in automation is cobots. Companies that once never considered robotic automation are now adopting cobots in their operations because today’s cobots are very simple to operate and can handle a wide variety of tasks that were previously impossible. Technological advances have contributed to their growing popularity, improving ease of use and increasing their flexibility to do many jobs around the shop. The explosive growth seen in automation also extends to

If you have any questions about this information, please contact Peter at peelman@AMTonline.org.