IMTS: Six Days of Intense Manufacturing Interactions

multiflute solid-carbide end mills

Larry Lefkof, Niagara Cutter sales manager for Seco Tools LLC, discussed the development of the tooling line, including the S738 and S938 multiflute solid-carbide end mills for high-speed milling of titanium and other challenging materials.

Hotel rooms and dinner reservations in Chicago were hard to find during the six days of IMTS 2014. From Sept. 8 through 13, 114,147 registered attendees representing 112 countries filled McCormick Place. More than 1.282 million net square feet of exhibit space was filled with demonstrations, products, and services from 2,035 companies offering emerging technologies from multispindle machines to robots to additive manufacturing.

Two co-located shows expanded the technology displays. Industrial Automation North America (NA) showcased process, metalworking, and precision manufacturing products. Motion, Drive & Automation North America (MDA NA) contributed exhibitors from the power transmission, motion control, and fluid sectors.

Additive manufacturing produced the world’s first 3-D-printed car during the show. Show sponsor AMT, The Association for Manufacturing Technology, Local Motors, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Cincinnati Incorporated collaborated on the project that culminated with a test drive on the last day of the show. The 40 parts (versus 20,000 parts in a standard car) that comprised the electric vehicle, the Strati, were completed in 44 hours.

More than 17,700 students, educators, administrators, and parent chaperones participated in the Smartforce Student Summit. Industry experts shared knowledge on industry trends and specific how-to topics during six different conferences.

About the Author

Sue Roberts

2135 Point Blvd

Elgin, IL 60123

815-227-8241

Sue Roberts, associate editor, contributes to both Canadian Metalworking and Canadian Fabricating & Welding. A metalworking industry veteran, she has contributed to marketing communications efforts and written B2B articles for the metal forming and fabricating, agriculture, food, financial, and regional tourism industries.

Roberts is a Northern Illinois University journalism graduate.