McLean, VA, Sep 21, 2016 — IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show today released the final numbers for IMTS 2016, which ran from September 12 – 17 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. IMTS 2016, the 31st edition of the show, was the third largest in number of registrations (115,612) and in net square feet of exhibit space (1,370,256). This show hosted the highest number of exhibiting companies ever (2,407). After move in, the building was 76 million pounds heavier.
Pack the halls! A total of 115,612 people registered for IMTS 2016, the third highest total ever and the most for a six-day show. IMTS 2016 also broke an all-time record for the highest number of exhibitors, 2,407.
“IMTS has grown not only in size, but in the overall scope of manufacturing,” says Peter R. Eelman, Vice President – Exhibitions & Business Development at AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which owns and manages IMTS. “There are more compelling reasons for people to attend. Whether they come to research new technology, evaluate vendors before purchasing, find solutions or connect with the leaders in the manufacturing industry, there is simply no substitute for attending IMTS.”
Top Technology Trends
The dominant technologies at IMTS 2016 were additive manufacturing, robotics automation and an increasing digital thread, according to Tim Shinbara, AMT Vice President – Manufacturing Technology. He noted specific nuances within each of these trends.
“Four years ago, only one company exhibited a hybrid machine. At IMTS 2016, we had multiple companies demonstrate machines with both additive and subtractive capabilities, meeting the supply side demand for structural metallic components,” said Shinbara. With traditional CNC manufacturers becoming more involved with additive, he believes that they will apply their knowledge of industrial requirements when building hybrid machines.
On the automation side, embedded sensors and processors moved closer to the moment of inertia, enabling split second decision-making that prevents collisions or enables a smooth, fluid and rapid response. “Moving robotic intelligence nearer to the end of the arm enables more collaborative manufacturing where humans and robots can work closely and more safely together,” said Shinbara.
With regard to digitization, numerous companies introduced equipment with Industrial Internet of Things (IIot) capabilities. “We’re seeing an acceleration and acceptance of protocols such at MTConnect. This ‘data dictionary’ enables the creation of a digital thread linking components, processes and analytical tools,” said Shinbara. He foresees that, by IMTS 2018, C-suite business decisions will be made based on real-time data being pulled from the production floor and among facilities.
Opening Ceremonies
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker gave the keynote speech for the Grand Concourse opening ceremony. She stated that, “There are three key reasons why Made in America remains the best brand in the world: our people, our business climate and our capacity to innovate.” Pritzker used the occasion to announce that the National Network of Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) has been officially rebranded as ManufacturingUSA ( www.ManufacturingUSA.com). The network consists of public-private institutes dedicated to securing the nation’s future through manufacturing innovation, education, and collaboration. Later in the show, directors from ManufacturingUSA also spoke from the Grand Concourse stage, including Mike Molnar, Director, Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office, Ed Morris, Director, America Makes and Maj. Gen. Nick Justice, Executive Director, PowerAmerica.
On with the show – the 2016 International Manufacturing Technology Show! Cutting the ribbon are (L-R) AMT President Doug Woods, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Hardinge Group President/CEO Rick Simons, who is also AMT Chairman. Photo by Oscar & Associates
She also noted that October 7, 2016, is Manufacturing Day ( www.mfgday.com). “Invite a class from your local schools and their career advisors to tour your plant so that they can experience the exciting work and career opportunities that exist in today’s 21st Century manufacturing.”
In addition to the Secretary, officials from the Departments of Commerce, Defense and Energy toured IMTS throughout the week to get a firsthand look at how advances in manufacturing technology are impacting the world. VIPs from the state and local level included Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
The East Building IMTS 2016 and Smartforce Student Summit opened with a ceremony that tied the history of IMTS to the future of manufacturing. The ceremony honored Process Engineer Jim Allemann for attending his 25th consecutive IMTS. “My first IMTS was ’65, and I’ve come every year because my employers sent me to the show to learn what’s new and bring back that information and incorporate it into what we do.” After finding a linear rolling guide from an IMTS exhibitor, Allemann was able to patent a device in 2014 that measures pins up to 42 inches long with 0.0005-in. accuracy. To honor the future, IMTS recognized 13-year-old Oliver Leopold, who is attending his second IMTS along with his Robobtronics FIRST LEGO League team. Leopold ignites energy and enthusiasm for the manufacturing industry on his YouTube channel.
AMT’s Emerging Technology Center (ETC)
A highlight of futuristic technology at IMTS was the ETC display. The ETC featured the AMIE (Additive Manufacturing Integrated Energy) project from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). AMIE featured a 3D-printed house and 3D-printed utility vehicle. Both were made from carbon fiber-reinforced ABS plastic composite material at the DOE’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL using large-scale additive manufacturing.
During a special IMTS Media Day, Dr. Craig Blue, CEO of the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation remarked that, “With the long lead times on a mold, it really increases the innovation cycle and the ability to rapidly build on what you’ve learned.”
Expanding on that topic, Dr. Mark Johnson, Director, Advanced Manufacturing Office, U.S. Department of Energy, noted that in manufacturing processes, tooling is often a long lead-time item. As a result, companies rationalize that they can source tooling globally.
“However, if you can turn around the tooling in 24 hours or 48 hours, suddenly, it’s really important to have the tool manufacturing and that prototype manufacturing adjacent or close to where all the parts are being made or being designed.”
In addition the 3D printed house and vehicles, the ETC featured the “additive bionic human” with medical implants printed using laser sintering technology from EOS North America, a partner in the exhibit. EOS displayed a cranial implant, tracheal implant, dental implant, leg prosthesis and joints for the ETC.
“Additive manufacturing can forge connections between local tool builders and OEMs from Detroit to Des Moines,” says Eelman. “Yes, the ETC displays an eye-catching house, but its real purpose is to demonstrate technologies and concepts that make manufacturers think outside of the box.”
IMTS Ride Experience
The IMTS Ride Experience featured the breakthrough technology in “Olli,” a self-driving electric vehicle that deftly navigated through the structural support pillars in C-Hall. Equipped with IBM Watson Internet of Things (IoT) technology, Olli is more than just an intelligent and entertaining ride. Olli represents how Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM) and 3D printing are fundamentally changing the way manufacturers create products, in turn creating a future where product development timelines are significantly reduced.
"The vehicle will have a huge impact both on the transportation and manufacturing industries,” said Local Motors CEO Jay Rogers. “Our capabilities with DDM will allow us to make this one of the most adaptable vehicles ever created. The use cases for Olli are nearly endless, from navigating commuters around the Loop in Chicago to traversing a corporate campus in a rolling conference room. The way we build this vehicle will change the way people think about vehicle production and manufacturing."
Student Summit Offers Hands-on Challenges
During the show, a record number of more than 17,000 students, parents and educators visited the Smartforce Student Summit, which offered nine challenges, each designed for students to discover and use technologies utilized in advanced manufacturing, including CAD/CAM software, robotics, 3D printing, machining, tooling, metrology, automation and welding.
“Students were able to do so much more than observe and interact. They could actually use the technology in a way that gave them a real-world preview of the industry and various manufacturing careers,” says Greg Jones, Vice President, Smartforce Development, AMT.
In the “Build It!” area, experienced teams of mechatronics students (those with mechanical and electronic skills) worked with waterjet experts from WARDJet to plan, wire, wrench and assemble a high-end waterjet system. Winners of the build-off competition received an $85K waterjet for their school’s machining lab.
