Focus on digital manufacturing at IMTS 2020

“The difference between IMTS 2020 and previous shows is that these core technologies now incorporate a digital component. IMTS 2020 represents the year the industry moved from conceptualization to implementation,” says Tim Shinbara, Vice President & CTO for AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which owns and produces IMTS. “By engaging with exhibitors, visitors can learn how to capture data and transform it into useful information that allows them to make better decisions. In short, digital manufacturing is good for your business.”

As an example, he points to “hybrid” machining centers that combine metal removal with an additive manufacturing or a joining process, a metrology process and automated part loading/unloading systems.

“These multi-tasking systems do more than just combine two or three processes to reduce set-up and handling time,” says Shinbara. “Hybrid technologies offer the ability to entirely re-imagine part design and production flow, radically reducing time to market.”

For almost every type of system, visitors can learn how to digitize operations in ways that measurably impact their business, such as using analytics to predict failure and have cloud applications automatically send maintenance alerts. Exhibitors will bring teams that combine skills to bridge the worlds of automation, manufacturing, IT, IIoT and data.

Visitors will also find a host of digital technologies related to machine interoperability, networking, data analysis, data security, ERP systems, machine controls and CAD/CAM software. They will notice that even basic “analog” products, such as a pneumatic valve, will now have an app available to adjust functions such as proportional pressure regulation, directional control, leak detection, timed motion, acceleration/deceleration and soft stops.

Secure Hotel Rooms Now

IMTS has opened its reserved housing block to visitors so they can book hotel rooms for IMTS 2020. IMTS is the largest and longest running manufacturing technology show in North America and will attract more than 125,000 registrants. To help visitors plan travel, IMTS collaborates with Connections Housing — the only official housing provider — to contract the lowest room rates during the event. Connections Housing guarantees the room and offers free shuttle service to and from McCormick Place for most hotels within the IMTS Hotel Block.

Visit IMTS.com/travel to book a hotel room and visit IMTS.com/register to begin planning for IMTS 2020.

“Because of the size and popularity of IMTS, literally every hotel room in Chicago will be occupied. If you wait too long to book, you may not find a room downtown,” cautions Peter R. Eelman, Vice President & CXO at AMT.

Eelman also warns visitors against solicitations from “housing bandits” that may falsely claim to be affiliated with IMTS and offer good deals on hotel rooms. Connections Housing does not directly contact those who book unless there is a question about an existing reservation.