Visitors Energized and Empowered at IMTS 2024
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IMTS 2024 delivered an immersive digital manufacturing experience for 89,020 registrants, and 1,737 exhibitors served up high-productivity solutions, demonstrating them in the context of integrated, automated and connected turnkey solutions. However, the real genius that excited visitors was the hope of driving more efficiencies at every step of the product life-cycle.
“IMTS 2024 accelerated the adoption of advanced technology in ways visitors could not have imagined before the show,” says Peter R. Eelman, AMT’s chief experience officer, which owns and produces IMTS. “A sense of new possibilities generated an enthusiasm felt throughout the show.”
Douglas K. Woods, president of AMT, adds, “Exhibitors fine-tuned their demonstrations, packaging their solutions in the way people want to consume it. Rather than featuring a product, exhibitors showed how they solved problems with systems.”
In a keynote address, contract manufacturers learned how they could partner with the U.S. Navy and its submarine industrial base. “The Navy is here [at IMTS] to support the recapitalization of American manufacturing,” says Rear Admiral Todd S. Weeks, program executive officer, strategic submarines.
“As part of the supply chain that supports the defense industrial base, IMTS is a critical show to help look at new technology and figure out how to do more with less,” says Mike Griffith, president of Major Tool & Machine.
Automation was everywhere at IMTS 2024, which saw the launch of the new Automation Sector, accelerated by SPS – Smart Production Solutions. Further, every major machining exhibitor in the Metal Removal Sector demonstrated integrated systems featuring large pallet changers, bar feeders,
load/unload robots, chip removal systems and more.
“Labor issues are off the charts,” says Tim Caron, an area sales representative from EMEC Machine Tools in the Okuma exhibit. “Automation such as pallet pools allows you to have multiple jobs set up for longer unattended run time.”
The technology in the Additive Manufacturing Sector, accelerated by Formnext, and educational opportunities on the Formnext Stage made IMTS an additive manufacturing destination.
“One of the major reasons we came to IMTS is that we have been looking to step into bigger SLA technologies and more capable machinery for medical applications,” says Jon Cackler, the owner of Variety Vault. He drove from Ames, Iowa, specifically to check out the new Form 4 printer from Formlabs.
Summing up the six days of the show, Tom Sheridan, president of Royal Products and incoming chair of the AMT show committee, says, “This has been our best IMTS for quality engagements. The show was front-loaded with tremendous interest for our six new products; then, a number of people came back two or three times with different members of their team.”
We are grateful to all of you — visitors, exhibitors and partners — for making IMTS 2024 a success!
