By Peter R. Eelman, vice president & CXO at AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, the owner and operator of IMTS – The International Manufacturing Technology Show
With the City of Chicago officially reopened, McCormick Place has resumed conferences and will hold its biggest event: IMTS 2022, September 12-17. Preparations are underway, bringing on increased activity, energy, and interaction among the IMTS community, which not only includes thousands of manufacturers, but also thousands of students and educators.
Recently the IMTS show floor plan was unveiled, and the news is good. Even though it’s one year away, IMTS 2022 will inhabit more than one million square feet of space – occupying all four buildings and all levels of the McCormick Place campus; and will continue to host the Smartforce Student Summit and co-locate with HANNOVER MESSE USA.
While manufacturers can start connecting with the biggest names and the smallest of innovators in manufacturing technology right now on IMTS.com, students and teachers can begin to explore digital technologies and career paths from leading industry experts.
As North America’s largest manufacturing technology event (IMTS attracted 129,000+ registrants in 2018), IMTS is the premier venue for manufacturers, engineers, and students to discover the latest innovations, emerging technologies, and information on advanced manufacturing products, machines, software, and services.
As an increasing number of the nation’s youth consider manufacturing technology careers, the Smartforce Student Summit at IMTS 2022 is poised to inspire thousands of students as it showcases the manufacturing technology classroom of the future. Attendees can expect interactive exhibits from leading industry manufacturers who will demonstrate breakthrough Industry 4.0 technologies such as additive manufacturing, augmented and virtual reality, automation and robotics, digital twin, generative design, and more.
To help create an optimum experience, IMTS is organized into nine pavilions:
- Abrasive Machining/Sawing/Finishing
- Additive Manufacturing
- Controls & CAD-CAM
- Fabricating & Lasers
- Gear Generation
- Machine Components/Cleaning/Environmental
- Metal Removal
- Quality Assurance
- Tooling & Workholding Systems
Not only is IMTS replete with CNC and additive machine builders, but also features dozens of CAD-CAM, modeling and simulation software, automation and robots, metrology systems, and other digitally-enabled tools throughout IMTS.
In addition to exploring the floor plan, emerging technologies, and connecting with exhibitors online now, manufacturers and students can also broaden their industry knowledge by choosing from dozens of on-demand programs, including technology trends, industry experts, and original stories on IMTS.com/Programs.
Growth ahead
As we prepare for IMTS 2022, I am invigorated by our industry’s courageous response to the pandemic. Manufacturers are increasingly adopting digital manufacturing to wrestle with supply chain and workforce challenges. I believe the manufacturing technology industry is bound for exceptional growth and will be energized by today’s youth. IMTS 2022 will be a pivotal event to foster connectivity among people (and machines), and harness tech prowess to drive our industry forward. I urge you to visit IMTS.com/Show to help you navigate your future.
Learn more about AMT here.
[This is an article taken from the September 2021 NTMA Record]