During a special program for Chicago-area school superintendents, the Gene Haas Foundation announced $50,000 in scholarships to be awarded to high school seniors pursuing a degree in a post-secondary machining, manufacturing technology or engineering program whose curriculum includes CNC machine technology training. A $1,000 grant per school will be awarded. Seniors graduating from high school this school year will be eligible.

Conferences Brought Participants Together for Education

IMTS was highly focused on education and hosted six conferences: the IMTS 2014 Conference, TRAM 2014, the MDA Conference, the Additive Manufacturing Workshop, EOS NAUD 2014, and the Global Automation and Manufacturing Summit. From additive manufacturing to trends in advanced manufacturing, attendees and exhibitors were able to find solutions for their manufacturing needs while learning more about this ever-changing industry.

The IMTS 2014 Conference, which ran Sept. 8 - 11, and attracted 50 percent more participants than the 2012 event, focused on bringing the industry together, under one roof and at one time, to discuss new opportunities. Attendees were able to network with a community of peers and experts within their industry and explore fresh ideas to enhance their business. Attendees left with different perspectives on overcoming day-to-day and long-range challenges.

TRAM (Trends in Advanced Machining, Manufacturing and Materials) had a successful debut at IMTS 2012 and continued to grow at IMTS 2014. TRAM ran Sept. 10 - 11. The focus was on transferring advanced manufacturing technologies to the business leaders, managers and engineers who lead or play a key role in a facility that serves the aerospace sector.

On Sept. 9, the second MDA Forum brought industry experts in to discuss best practices in motion control, power transmission and fluid power. Helping manufacturing professionals to increase efficiency and productivity, this year’s program covered industrial communications, robotic control, guidance and inspection, linear actuators, 3D-printing and 3D-machining. The MDA Conference was co-organized by GIE Media and Hannover Fairs USA.

The Additive Manufacturing Workshop took place Tuesday, Sept. 9. This workshop brought together manufacturing professionals who were interested in or who were already applying additive manufacturing as a production resource. More than a 3D-printing seminar, this workshop focused on industrial applications of additive technologies for making functional components and end-user production parts.

EOS NAUD 2014 (EOS North America User Day) on Sept. 10 was open for the first time to both EOS customers and all attendees of IMTS. Those who came were able to learn about the latest developments in industrial 3D printing/additive manufacturing, including direct metal laser sintering (DMLS™) and plastics laser-sintering directly from EOS - the world leader in laser-sintering solutions, our customers and partners.

Also on Sept. 10, the Global Automation Manufacturing Summit 2014 at Industrial Automation North America and IMTS took place. It covered topics on industrial automation, mobility and modern maintenance practices. Speakers from Alcoa, Chrysler and McGladrey shared their expertise to help end-users increase their productivity and conquer their current and future manufacturing challenges.

Government Officials Attended IMTS

Government officials from the Commerce, Defense and Energy Departments toured IMTS throughout the week to get a firsthand look at how advances in manufacturing technology are impacting the world.

Today’s Technology Center and Advanced Manufacturing Center Spotlight the Exciting Results of Applying Manufacturing Technology

Today’s Technology Center (TTC) presented by GIE Media featured technology from the aerospace, automotive and medical sectors grabbed the attention of many entering the West building.

Advanced manufacturing in aerospace was one of the central themes with a 1/3 scale model (10 foot long) of the Dream Chaser® Space Utility Vehicle (SUV) being developed between Sierra Nevada Corp (SNC) Space Exploration Systems and Siemens PLM Software Group on display along with aerial target drones, built by Composite Engineering, Inc.

Two all-American dream cars were featured, including a 2015 Chevrolet Corvette that pushes the boundaries of materials, engine and transmission technologies and Stewart-Haas Racing’s, No. 41 Kurt Busch Chevrolet SS, which can reach a top speed of over 200mph.

Aside from aerospace and cars, medical device technology as small as implants that are invisible to the naked eye or as large as an MRI machine were on display at TTC. Knee, hip, and shoulder implants; stents, pacemakers, and implantable defibrillators; bone screws and plates, were incorporated into a clear, life-sized display showing medical manufacturing’s impact on people’s quality of life. Beyond the implants, medical technology can mean cochlear implants, diabetes pumps, medical tubing, bionic eyes, and prosthetics.

The Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) presented by Gardner Business Media and named “Manufacturing’s Solutions Network”, centered on the five trends and technologies – additive manufacturing, automation, Automotive 2025, Modern Machine Shop’s Top Shops benchmarking survey and data-driven manufacturing - that are moving manufacturing forward.

Visitors were able to see firsthand the Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS^®) technology that makes it possible for manufacturers to economically produce complex components in smaller quantities.

A display and presentation by Rethink Robotics introduced visitors to the Baxter Robot. Rather than being a replacement for employees, robotics increase the value of an individual employee by freeing the person to focus attention on the work that requires human knowledge or human judgment. Baxter is unique in that it is a completely safe and interactive robot that can be trained through simple manipulations and push buttons.

Automotive 2025 provided a glimpse into the future with a display incorporating a General Motors Silverado body in white and a presentation by Ron Krupitzer of the Steel Market Development Institute sharing insights on moving to structures that are strong, light, and capable.

Modern Machine Shop's Top Shops Benchmarking Survey presented at the AMC with Top Shops Honors Program winners announced for the survey's four main categories: machining equipment, shop floor practices, business strategy and human resources.

In the data-driven manufacturing arena, visitors were exposed to an exhibit provided by ITAMCO "Google Glass & MTConnect" and XOEye and listened to a presentation about how emerging technology is enabling both people and equipment to collect and process the facts they need to achieve better results.

Miles for Manufacturing 5K a Resounding Success

On Wednesday, Sept. 10, the Miles for Manufacturing 5K run/walk hosted by IMTS and GIE Media made its debut. Despite cold, rainy conditions, more than 150 people supported the 5K run/walk.

Over $15,000 was raised and donated to the Austin Polytechnical Academy (APA), a college and career prep high school with a focus on manufacturing and engineering located on Chicago’s West Side. Austin Polytech was founded by the Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council in 2007 to educate the next generation of leaders in advanced manufacturing. Students learn about careers in all aspects of the industry, from skilled production and engineering to management and company ownership.

Eelman concluded, “Plans are already underway for IMTS 2016. Most exciting is expansion of exhibit and Smartforce Student Summit space at the McCormick Place facility which promises to make IMTS 2016 perhaps the largest in history.”

Conversations within the IMTS community are continuing @

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Media Note: IMTS logos and photos can be downloaded at IMTS.com/media